"WWLD: What Would Lloyd Do?", is a musical comedy written by and starring Ted Swartz ’89 and Trent Wagler ’02, and directed by Ingrid De Sanctis ’88). The play, with guest artist Jay Lapp and featuring music groups The Steel Wheels, Shekinah and Sons of the Day, will be presented 8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., Oct. 10-11 in Lehman Auditorium. Tickets, at $7.50 for adults and $5 for students, are available in advance at Red Front Super Market and at the door.

Ted Swartz (l.) and Trent Wagler will premiere a new theater piece, "WWLD (What Would Lloyd Do??), as part of homecoming weekend at EMU, Oct. 10-11. Photo by Jon Styer

A symposium, "Forgiveness in the Face of Tragedy: The Amish of Nickel Mines," will take place 10-11:30 a.m. Friday in Lehman Auditorium. Featured speakers will be Donald B. Kraybill ’67 and Herman Bontrager ’72, both of whom played key roles with the Amish community following the tragic shootings in a schoolhouse October, 2006. A question and answer period will follow.

Ken J. Nafziger, professor of music, will lead a worship celebration of song and scripture 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12 in Lehman Auditorium. Recipients of the alumnus of the year award, distinguished service award and lifetime of service award will participate and be recognized in the service.

Reunions and Breakfast Meetings

Traditional homecoming features will include reunions at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 11 for graduating years ending in a "3" or "8," from 1963 to 2003. The "Jubilee Alumni," persons who attended EMU 50 years ago or more, will hold a luncheon and program at 11:30 a.m. that day in Campus Center Greeting Hall, where members of the class of 1958 will be formally inducted.

Breakfast meetings will be held Saturday morning for alumni and friends of the business and economics department; nursing, education, the sciences, athletics (Loyal Royals), Bible and religion (Haverim).

The language and literature department will host a reunion 9-10 a.m. for all staffers formerly associated with the ".

See the full Homecoming schedule for more detail.

Oakwood Gathering and Science Summit

Former residents of Oakwood residence hall are invited to gather near the site of this "once-beloved dormitory," which has been demolished to make way for a three-story, environmentally-friendly, 120-bed facility, at 11 a.m. Saturday to share stories and jog memories. Read more about the recent demolition of Oakwood and see the web-cam to track progress.

At a mini science "summit" 10 a.m. Saturday, EMU science faculty and students in environmental classes will share research projects and give updates on plans to renovate and expand the 40-year-old facility.

Arts and Athletics

An art exhibit featuring works by EMU visual arts and communication professors Barbara Fast, Cyndi Gusler ’93, Jerry Holsopple ’80 and Steven Johnson will be on display in the third floor gallery of Hartzler Library. Media will include mixed media fiber art, drawings, photography and digital images. A gallery talk and reception will be held 4 p.m. p.m. Saturday.

Varsity field hockey, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer games are scheduled on Saturday, preceded by a Loyal Royals "fun run" 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the EMU track.

The Paul R. Yoder, Sr., Memorial Golf Classic will be held Fri., Oct. 10 with start times at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Spotswood Country Club in Harrisonburg.

More Information

Special activities for children (kindergarten through fifth grade) and youth (grades 6 through 9) are scheduled at various times Saturday, and childcare for infants through age 5 will be provided during reunions and at other designated times.

During the weekend, a documentary video produced by alumnae Tiffany Horst ’07 and Carrie Keagy ’07, will be shown several times, featuring historic images and interviews that help to interpret the growth and changes that EMU has seen over the years while remaining true to its vision, according to Douglas J. Nyce ’86, director of alumi/parent relations.

The registration desk in the University Commons will be open 3-8 p.m. Fri., Oct. 10 and 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 11.

For more information, go to www.emu.edu/homecoming, call the alumni office at (540) 432-4245 or e-mail alumni@emu.edu.

Hunsberger, a baritone, will perform works of English and German composers, including two song cycles: Robert Schumann

The Cincinnati-based duo, “Over the Rhine,” and 15 other acts will perform folk, jazz, bluegrass, blues and a capella music at the 2006 Mennofolk festival in Harrisonburg on Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14, during EMU’s .

The weekend will begin with Friday night concerts at three downtown Harrisonburg locations.

Chicago songwriter Rachel Ries and Michigan-based folksinger Andru Bemis will perform 7 p.m. at the Artful Dodger. An 8 p.m. concert at the Daily Grind on Court Square will feature blues by Alex Albrecht and original folk music by Keith Hershberger. At 9 p.m., Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels and Crozet songwriter Jon Nafziger will perform at the Little Grill.

Over the Rhine

Over the Rhine will perform 8 p.m. Saturday in EMU’s Lehman Auditorium.

The duo, comprised of Linford Detweiler and Karin Bergquist, has released 15 albums, including the critically acclaimed two-CD set “Ohio.”

Over the Rhine has performed and recorded with Cowboy Junkies and opened for Bob Dylan. The duo’s music has been heard on such TV programs as Bones, Third Watch, Jack and Bobby, Felicity and Mysterious Ways, as well as on international compilations alongside artists such as Radiohead, Coldplay and Dido.

Over the Rhine recently signed a recording contract with the Virgin/Back Porch label. More information about OTR is available online at .

Sons of the Day

Beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, performers will present one-hour sets on three stages on the EMU campus. The lineup includes jazz by Ryan Kauffman, a capella music by Sons of the Day, Finely Tuned and the Foresingers, topical folk by Chuck Neufeld and traditional bluegrass by Daphna Creek.

Other Saturday performers include the Katie Grove Band, Dave Nealon & Case Studies and Tim Shue. Each of the Friday night performers will also appear.

More information about festival performers is available at .

During the Saturday afternoon and early evening concerts, food from the Little Grill will be available for purchase at the EMU snack shop. Shanks Bakery will sell food at Martin Chapel.

Festival Includes ‘Open Mike’ Session

Following the Over the Rhine concert, the festival will conclude with an 11 p.m. open mike session at the Common Grounds coffee bar on the EMU campus.

Tickets to the multi-stage concerts are $12, or $35 per family (parent or guardian and children). Admission to the Over the Rhine concert is $12, or $8 with a multi-stage ticket. Children under six years old will be admitted free.

Admission to the Artful Dodger and downtown Daily Grind concerts is free.

More information about the 9 p.m. Friday concert is available from the Little Grill.

Tickets to the Saturday events can be ordered through the EMU Box Office at 540-432-4582 or online at . A service charge will be added. Tickets also are available at Red Front Supermarket in Harrisonburg and at the door.

This year’s festival is being held in conjunction with EMU’s homecoming weekend. More information about homecoming events is available from the alumni office at (540) 432-4204 or online at .

The festival is made possible, in part, through a grant from the Arts Council of the Valley. Major support also comes from Virginia Mennonite Conference.

"A Compassionate Faith: Courage to Move Forward" is the theme for " observances at 草莓社区.

Activities will open 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16 with a message and open discussion led by Rev. Derrick Parson, a campus minister in the United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation at James Madison University. The forum will be held 10-11:30 a.m. in the Campus Center Greeting Hall.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders

Monday evening, the keynote speaker for the annual School for Leadership Training at Eastern Mennonite Seminary will bring a prophetic message on the continuing legacy of Dr. King.

Dr. Cheryl Sanders, senior pastor of Third Street Church of God in Washington, D.C., and professor of Christian ethics at Howard University School of Divinity, will speak on the theme, "Reconciliation and Repentance," based on II Cor. 5:17-21. ()

Sons of the Day, an a cappella group of EMU alumni and current students, will provide special music.

King Week observances continue with a "Dialog on Race: Steps of Hope," 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, in the Northlawn Great Lounge. EMU faculty, staff and students will share steps that can be taken to increase understanding of others despite cultural and ideological differences.

In university chapel 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, persons representing the diverse EMU community will reflect on values represented in Dr. King

Acoustic music festival "" will make its debut in Harrisonburg Nov. 4-6, bringing visual artists, musicians and fans together from across the eastern United States.

This event will offer delightful performances for all ages at venues around the city – from downtown Harrisonburg to Eastern Mennonite High School to local churches.

Most performers have some connection to the Shenandoah Valley, and what brings them together is the experience of roots or membership in the Mennonite Church. A variety of genres are represented, but the common thread is "folk music" written about themes of faith, love and hardships of the everyday life of regular people. Many hymns began as folk songs or take their melodies from older folk tunes.

Using the theme, "Tis a Gift," organizers have encouraged performers to create new music for the festival as well as interpret traditional music. Mennofolk represents a homecoming for many artists.

Featured Artists

J.D. Martin (aka Jerry Derstine)

Headliner Jerry Derstine (stage named JD Martin) grew up near Harrisonburg. At a young age, he wrote several songs which have become well loved among Mennonites, one of thenm included in the latest hymnal for Mennonite and Brethren churches. However, Jerry spent most of his career living and writing music in Nashville and Los Angeles. There he hit the big time, writing songs for Wynnona Judd, Reba McEntire, and Peter Cetera, and had a number of top ten hits to his name.

Now, Jerry returns to his roots, bringing with him recent songs that reach a new level of spirit and hope meant to inspire people towards themes of the heart. He is accompanied by his wife Jan Garrett, a renowned singer-songwriter in her own right, who performs "music for soul retrieval." Garrett will also lead a women’s singing workshop entitled "Finding Your Authentic Voice."

Locals who were in high school or college in the 1970’s may remember a popular Christian band called "Daybreak," which toured in this area. This year, Mennofolk will feature a reunion of the Daybreak band members, some of whom had lost touch with each other but are now coming together for this encore performance.

Reunion Vocal Band

"Reunion Vocal Band" also brings old friends to the stage. For over 20 years this eclectic group has been meeting to perform from all corners of the country. They will play at Mennofolk as their reunion concert of this year, blending folk, spiritual and jazz influences with good old rock and roll.

Appalachian music will take the stage at Mennofolk through Liz McGeachy and Tim Marema’s haunting harmonies, The New Johnson’s fiddle tunes and Alex Albright’s Appalachian Blues. Phil Ruth, a Mennonite historian and dulcimer player from Pennsylvania, claims that the mountain dulcimer may have originated in the Shenandoah Valley, a mix of early Swiss/German and Irish instruments. Dave Landes develops the dulcimer theme further with hymns and folk songs played on a hammered dulcimer, one of many instruments he regularly plays at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton.

Bluegrass fans will be well-satisfied with the sound of local bluegrass/gospel group, "Daphna Creek." "The Goldmine Pickers," a young up-and-coming band from Goshen, Ind., features Jay Lapp, originally of Harrisonburg, and blends newgrass and jazz with a traditional bluegrass idiom. Songwriter Dave Nealon plays bluegrass style and includes banjo and guitar in his set of originals.

Mennofolk will also include "Trent Wagler and the Steel Wheels," with original and American roots music material. Wagler recently made his CD release debut at Court Square Theater.

Musical Styles

Mennonites are known for their tradition of a capella singing, an influential foundation apparent in the harmony focus of many Mennofolk acts. At the festival, this tradition will be explored with performances by "Finely Tuned," "Cantore" and "Sons of the Day." Ruth Stoltzfus Jost will tell the moving story of her family history during the Civil War through a song she sings without accompaniment.

On Sunday, Mennofolk will conclude with the "Festival of Praise" at Park View Mennonite Church, a celebration through men’s choral singing.

Singer-Songwriter styles at Mennofolk range from rock to pop to roots music and include themes of peace, faith and the complexity and beauty of everyday life. Original material will be presented by Chris Kniss, Andru Bemis, Konrad Wert, Brad Yoder, , Heather Kropf, Gina Holsopple and Jonathan Reuel. Saturday night’s Songwriter’s Circle gives a chance to hear a smorgasbord of contemporary music being produced by Mennonite writers.

Visual arts are a special part of Mennofolk Harrisonburg. Oasis Gallery is presenting a show by , and Gusler has coordinated local artists for a show at Eastern Mennonite High School. Art will be for sale, and Artisan’s Hope will create an off-site sale of fairly-traded gifts by artisans from around the world.

Schedule

Mennofolk begins Friday night with concerts downtown at The Children’s Museum, Court Square Theater, Oasis, St Stephens Church, The Little Grill, Luigi’s and the Daily Grind. Saturday during Mennofolk at Eastern Mennonite High School, food will be sold from The Little Grill Collective and music will run from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sets will be divided into three stages. A concert/jam session continues after 11 p.m. at Common Grounds Coffeehouse at 草莓社区 featuring the Goldmine Pickers.

Sunday, participants are invited to local churches to hear their favorite Mennofolk musicians play. Sunday afternoon brings "The Bob Show," a Ted and Lee comedy, to the Court Square Theater, Jan Garrett’s women’s singing workshop at Cups to Go, and the Festival of Praise at Parkview Mennonite Church.

A complete schedule and admission prices can be found at: .

Local organizations and business sponsoring Mennofolk are Garrison Press, The Little Grill, Artisan’s Hope, Harrisonburg Downtown Rennaisance, Court Square Theater, 草莓社区’s, Common Grounds Coffeehouse, , Virginia Mennonite Conference, Shalom Congregation, Park View Mennonite Church and the Arts Council of the Valley.

Organizers plan to make Mennofolk a yearly event. To volunteer or make a donation (both provide free admission to the festival) check the Mennofolk website or call Trent Wagler at 540-438-1842.

"Sons of the Day," a seven-member men’s ensemble, will present a concert of a cappella music 7:30 p.m. Friday, Apr. 29, at Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Ave., Harrisonburg.

The program will feature selections spanning a wide range of musical styles from medieval to contemporary from the group’s upcoming CD release, several new arrangements and a set of songs about civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

Formed in November, 2003, members of "Sons of the Day" are current students or graduates of 草莓社区. They derive their name from the scripture text, I Thessalonians 5:5 – "You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness."

Admission to the concert is $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, and $3 for students and children. Anyone who pre-orders the Sons of the Day CD will receive a $3 admission discount.

More information is available by visiting the group

“,” an a cappella ensemble, will present a concert of music that spans centuries and continents but remains relevant to today at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at Park View Mennonite Church, N. College Ave.

Five of the seven group members are EMU alumni – Matt Hunsberger, Aaron Kauffman, Adam Sensamaust, Clay Showalter and Jon Leichty; Stephen Horst and Jared Stoltzfus are currently students at EMU.

Admission to the concert is $7 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, and $3 for students and children. Light refreshments are served after the program.

For more information, visit the group’s website at www.sonsoftheday.com or contact Matthew Hunsberger, 540-437-6434 or or Clay Showalter, 540-833-8349 or .