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The Power of Words
When: June 19-22 at 7pm Nightly
Where: A-B Tech – Ferguson Auditorium
The Power of Words will be held June 19-22 in Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech in Asheville. This year’s Buncombe County Chautauqua will present four individuals who have moved our country forward through the power of the written and the spoken word. The Buncombe Chautauqua Committee presents Chautauqua 2017 with support from the Greenville Chautauqua, several friends of the library groups, community organizations and local businesses in Buncombe County and many interested individuals.
Monday, June 19
Maya Angelou – portrayed by Asheville’s own Becky Stone
Author of twenty books, she opened herself to the world through words – written, spoken, sung –and revealed herself to all who were willing to wrestle with her thoughts and language. Music by Zoe and Cloyd.
Tuesday, June 20
Abraham Lincoln- portrayed by George Frein, the man who brought Chautauqua to Asheville
No American has used words with greater force or for greater good than President Lincoln. He redefined American democracy “with malice toward none and charity for all.” Music by Don Pedi.
Wednesday, June 21
Cesar Chavez- portrayed by Fred Blanco in his first Asheville Chautauqua appearance
“Si Se peude.” Yes it can be done. Journey back to the turbulent 1960’s and march for social justice with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. His message brought hope to rich and poor alike, empowering all. Music by Cary Fridley.
Thursday, June 22
Walter Cronkite- portrayed by Larry Bounds, a long-time Chautauqua favorite
Join the most trusted man in America and the newsman for whom the term “anchorman” was coined as he shares his life’s work from the battle lines of World War II and Vietnam to President Kennedy’s assassination and Nixon’s disgrace. Music by the Magills.
The Chautauqua format will be familiar to those who have attended in the past. Each evening, a nationally acclaimed historical interpreter dressed in costume will bring the character to life through a first person monologue. The audience will then have a chance to question the character, delving more deeply into the issues that have been raised. The replies will be historically authentic, based on research using letters, diaries, journals, and published writings. Finally, the interpreter will step out of character to discuss the subject and answer questions from a critical, modern perspective.
Please plan to join us each evening in our indoor venue, Ferguson Auditorium at A-B Tech. A musical program will begin each evening at 7pm followed by the featured speaker at 7:30pm.
Admission is $5 per night, tickets may be purchased at the door and ample free parking is available.
Tax deductible contributions to the Buncombe Chautauqua Committee may be made c/o and payable to Greenville Chautauqua, 11 Rock Side Ct. Greenville, SC 29615
www.greenvillechautauqua.org/buncombe/
For more information, Ed Sheary, 828-231-9273
. esheary@aol.com or Sam Speciale, sgspeciale@yahoo.com