Arts Planner: A poet finds peace with his father; test your knowledge of Columbia
Columbia Poet Laureate launches new book
In his most personal book of poetry yet, Columbia poet laureate and University of South Carolina professor Ed Madden writes about his complicated relationship with his dying father, and discovers what can and can’t be fixed within a family.
“Ark” is based on the three and a half months Madden spent caring for his father in 2011 after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“It was a really big deal to go home” to Arkansas, Madden said.
When he came out as gay to his parents in 1995, Madden’s father didn’t speak to him for 10 years. He sent Madden a letter saying he’d rather his son be in jail for murder than be gay.
“It was a difficult time because no matter what I’ve accomplished, they can’t get past my being gay,” Madden said.
But when his father was dying, Madden was there by his side.
“I think we agreed not to talk about it,” he said. “It was healing in the fact that we decided we could be together and not argue about those issues.”
The strain, the painful emotions and the healing are all captured in verse in “Ark.” Madden will have a book launch Sunday in Columbia with a reading and book signing at the Columbia Museum of Art.
“I think everyone’s been touched in some way by terminal illness or family difficulty,” he said. “I hope that it’s a story that rings true for people who have dealt with those issues.”
3 p.m. Sunday, March 13 at Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Free. http://www.columbiamuseum.org/happenings/book-launch-ark-ed-madden
OTHER ARTS EVENTS AROUND THE MIDLANDS
Columbia photo scavenger hunt
How well do you know Columbia? Michael’s Cafe & Catering is putting on a visual scavenger hunt in celebration of Columbia’s 230th birthday. Photographer Michael Traufler took 11 photos from around the city, and now it’s your job to identify where they were taken. The winner will receive a signed, framed print as well a $50 gift certificate from Michael’s Café & Catering. The winner will be drawn at random March 22 at Michael's Café & Catering from among the correct submissions. If there is only one correct submission, that submission will be declared the winner.
To play, head to Michael’s Cafe & Catering, 1620 Main St., to check out the photos. Email your guesses to rtrauflephotography@gmail.com by midnight Wednesday.
‘Holocaust Remembered’ opens at SC State Museum
“Holocaust Remembered” is a captivating exhibit that tells the personal stories of South Carolina Holocaust survivors and liberators. This exhibit was created by the Columbia Holocaust Education Commission to honor the memories of the survivors and victims of the Holocaust.
“Holocaust Remembered” will be open for a limited time beginning Saturday and ending April 16. The museum is at 301 Gervais St. Free. scmuseum.org
Cones & Tones: J.D. Shaw and Guest Artists Concert
Cones & Tones, a new project featuring four eclectic musical veterans, is the brainchild of J.D. Shaw, arranger and horn player from Boston Brass and associate professor of horn at the University of South Carolina. The group combines Shaw’s classical and jazz arrangements with original compositions by pianist and associate professor of music entrepreneurship David Cutler. Veteran tuba virtuoso Andrew Hitz and multi-instrumentalist and comedian Lance LaDuke round out the foursome.
7:30 p.m. Monday at USC School of Music Recital Hall, 813 Assembly St. Free. sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/music
Misty Copeland and Brooklyn Mack to speak at ballet fundraiser
Ballet’s first black principal dancer Misty Copeland and dancer and Elgin native Brooklyn Mack are the special guests at a luncheon fundraiser for Columbia Classical Ballet and Columbia City Ballet.
Related content: Misty Copeland on overcoming adversity, fighting for diversity in ballet
Related: Brooklyn Mack on discovering ballet and his teacher Radenko Pavlovich
11 a.m. Tuesday at The Mariott, 1200 Hampton St. $100-$500. Tickets include a seated lunch.
This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 10:33 AM with the headline "Arts Planner: A poet finds peace with his father; test your knowledge of Columbia."