News & Events
Past Events
To give you a sense of some of the exciting events that happen every month at Tufts and in the surrounding neighborhoods, we keep an archive here of past events.
May 2009
May 2-28, 2009
Keep the Fire Burning: Explorations of a Modern Chickasaw Identity: An Exhibition by Kristen Dorsey
This exhibit traces her personal journey in the development of both her artistic identity and her identity as a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Through jewelry, sculpture and video, she weaves the story of her personal artistic journey with the history of the Chickasaw Nation.
You are invited to Kristen Dorsey's exhibit. Kristen is a joint degree student in American Studies and the Museum school, graduating this May.
Opening Reception May 2, 2009 2:00–4:00pm
Slater Concourse Gallery
Tufts University Art Gallery at the Aidekman Arts Center
40 R Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA 02155
617-627-3518
www.ase.tufts.edu/gallery
February 2009
9th Annual Native American Speaker Series
James Luna (Installation and Performance Artist)
"Phantasmagoria: Verbal Visions, Almost Rituals & Tunes"
Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 7:00 pm
Tufts University — Barnum 008
December 2008
THE COYOTE’S TRAIL: A film series on the Latin American immigration experience Presents:
El Inmigrante
Sheedy, 2005
Thursday, December 4, 2008, 6:00 pm
Tufts University — Braker 1, Somerville, MA
Contact Kit Barron, chbarron@fas.harvard.edu
The filmmaker follows Nayo and Milton, two migrants from Chinandega, Nicaragua, as they cross through Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States in their attempt to reach Canada. Along the way, other migrants are interviewed as they are detained by Mexican authorities. Catholic human rights workers in Chiapas also offer their perspectives, particularly on the abuse of migrants by gangs.
November 2008
November 1—December 31, 2008
Immigrant City:Then and Now
A free exhibition, open to the public from November 1 to December 31, 2008. It is located in the Slater Concourse Gallery of the Aidekman Arts Center, Tufts University. Regular gallery hours are: Tuesday through Sunday, 11 am — 5 pm and Thursdays until 8 pm. The Aidekman Arts Center is located on Talbot Avenue on the Tufts University Campus in Medford, MA for directions: http://cts.vresp.com/c/?TheWelcomeProject/10ac5523a2/2fae682495/e6d3ef1776.
Free special program event parking is available without a pass in the lots around the Aidekman Arts Center off Lower Campus Road: Jackson lot, Music Center lot, and Talbot Avenue.
Special programs
Thursday, November 6
Opening Reception, Digital Stories Premiere.
Thursday, November 13
Educator Workshop: Incorporating
Immigration into the Classroom
3:15-5:45 at the Slater Concourse Gallery, Aidekman Arts Center, Tufts University
With nearly one third of its residents born outside of the United States, Somerville boasts an extremely rich culture through its merging of diverse backgrounds. But what are our stories in this immigrant city? What dreams and aspirations brought us here? How did we cope in a new community and in a new country? And most importantly, what brings us together - and what pulls us apart - across generations of immigrants?
Join The Welcome Project and Tufts University as we investigate these important questions and many more through our Immigrant City: Then and Now exhibit. Through first-hand accounts, photos, art and artifacts, connect with over 30 people of immigrant heritage as they narrate their unique experiences. Explore Somerville's immigrant roots and the lives of today's newest residents from around the world by participating in our celebration of the many voices that contribute to this one community, to our immigrant city.October 2008
October 2008
Honk! U. participates in Honk! Fest 2008
http://ase.tufts.edu/amstud/honk
Since 2006, Somerville has hosted HONK! Fest, an independent non-profit grass roots music festival comprised of activist marching bands. (With a mouthful like that, how can you go wrong?) This year, due to the generosity of the Nat R & Martha M Knaster Charitable Trust, Tufts will be creating an all student band to participate in HONK! Festival. Working with musician and ethnomusicologist Charlie Keil, students of all musical backgrounds and inclinations are welcome to register for the workshops that will be held starting in late September, culminating in the festival and a parade on Columbus Day Weekend (October 10-12). The workshops will provide students with no musical background with the opportunity to find their own groove in a fun, no-pressure environment. For students who are musicians, the experience of working with an ethnomusicologist to explore and participate in non-traditional means of musical expression is rare and invaluable way to expand their musical repertoire. The projec, is called “HONK U!” and is being hosted at Tufts through the American Studies Department. For more information, or to sign up, please visit: http://ase.tufts.edu/amstud/honk. Any other questions/concerns can be directed to amerstud@tufts.edu.
October 2008
On the evening of Monday, October 6th, the Tufts FeministAlliance (TFA) is hosting Miriam Perez from the blogs www.feministing.com and www.radicaldoula.com. Some of the issues that she will be speaking about include social/political action through blogging, reproductive justice, barriers Latina women face in immigration, and LGBT rights. For more information, please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/tfa/online/.
October 2008
Stanley Neptune, Penobscot and internationally known Root Club carver will present a talk and carving demonstration about the Penobscot art of elaborately carved and decorated clubs. Carved from the root of the birch tree, Stan will describe the club's history from the 17th to 21st century, discuss his own connections to earlier clubs, display examples of past and present clubs, and demonstrate his own carving style and technique. Sponsored by American Studies, the class will take place in Tisch 216, Thursday, October 30 from 2:00–4:15, as part of the course Native American Art: Beauty and Meaning. Interested students, faculty and staff are most welcome but seating is limited. Please contact Joan Lester (781-861-1305, joanlester@aol.com) if you wish to attend.
October 2008
Giovanna Negretti lecture
Cabot 206
Thursday, October 30th, 5:00 PM
In this electoral season, much media attention has been directed at
the role that Latino voters will have in the upcoming general election. In
states like Texas, California, Colorado, and Florida, Latino voters comprise
30% of the vote. Pundits have speculated on where they stand on the issues,
whether the strong Latino support for Hillary Clinton will cast its vote
for Barack Obama, or what effect socially-conservative Latino voters may
have as a result of key issues like abortion rights and gay marriage. Negretti
will address these issues and more!
Sponsors: the AS&E Diversity Fund, American Studies, Latino Center,
Association of Latin American Students (ALAS), Art History, Latino Studies,
and Latin American Studies
October 2008
Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service invites the Tufts community to hear from distinguished guests who are visiting Tufts this fall. The guests, who are visiting in conjunction with Tisch College co-sponsored classes, have also agreed to speak during brown-bag lunches open to the Tufts community. All events are noon–1:15 pm. Please bring your own lunch; fruit and cool drinks are provided.
Please visit http://activecitizen.tufts.edu/ for more details and an event schedule.
October 2008
Queer Studies Scholars Lecture: Lisa Duggan
Please join us for the 6th Annual Queer Studies Scholars Lecture. Lisa Duggan presents Feeling Neoliberal: Queer Desires for and against Marriage, Markets, and the Military. Lisa Duggan's analysis and advocacy have had a major impact on debate in and outside of the university context. She is a professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Director of the American Studies Program and NYU. Dinner will be served at the LGBT Center following the lecture.
Sophia Gordon Multipurpose Room
Wed. Oct. 1st at 6:30pm
October 2008
On the evening of Monday, October 6th, the Tufts Feminist Alliance (TFA) is hosting Miriam Perez from the blogs www.feministing.com and www.radicaldoula.com. Some of the issues that she will be speaking about include social/political action through blogging, reproductive justice, barriers Latina women face in immigration, and LGBT rights. For more information, please visit http://ase.tufts.edu/tfa/online/.
April 2008
Harmony in the Age of Noise
A unique installation in the Tufts Library roof through which you can explore the soundscapes of Tufts and beyond.Project launch: April 23, 2008, 4-6pm, Tisch Library roof
Visit the website here: http://age-of-noise.net
February-April 2008
Tufts American Studies Department presents:
Native American Issues:
the Politics of Representation
Native American Guest Speakers for Spring 2008
Thursdays from 3 - 4:15 PM
Crane Room, Paige Hall, Tufts University
February 7
Maurice Foxx, Mashpee Wampanoag
Chair, Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs/p>
“Massachusetts and Wampanoag Indian Identity and Sovereignty”
February 14
Pam Ellis, Hassanamisco Nipmuc
Nipmuc Nation Tribal Historian
“The Federal Recognition Process and Federal Trust Responsibilities”
March 6
Lisa Brooks, Missisquoi Abenaki
Assistant Professor of History, English, and Folklore at Harvard University/p>
“Native American Literature and Nationalism”
April 3
Linda Coombs, Aquinnah Wampanoag
Associate Director, Wampanoag Indigenous Program at Plimoth Plantation
“Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Northeastern Indigenous Lifeways”
April 17
Judy Dow, Winooski Abenaki Councilor, Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs
“Algonkian Indian Basketry and Artistic Adaptations”
Department of American Studies 0185
For more info, contact Dr. Margaret Bruchac, Visiting Lecturer
phone: (413) 584-2195 email: margaret.bruchac@tufts.edu
February 2008
Tufts American Studies Department presents:
Native American Issues:
the Politics of Representation
Native American Guest Speakers for Spring 2008
Thursdays from 3 - 4:15 PM
Crane Room, Paige Hall, Tufts University
February 7
Maurice Foxx, Mashpee Wampanoag
Chair, Massachusetts Commission on Indian Affairs
“Massachusetts and Wampanoag Indian Identity and Sovereignty”
February 14
Pam Ellis, Hassanamisco Nipmuc
Nipmuc Nation Tribal Historian
“The Federal Recognition Process and Federal Trust Responsibilities”
March 6
Lisa Brooks, Missisquoi Abenaki
Assistant Professor of History, English, and Folklore at Harvard University
“Native American Literature and Nationalism”
February 2008
American Studies Informational Luncheon
Posted 11/5/07
American Studies Majors' Meeting and Pizza Party!
Students are invited to a majors' meeting and pizza party on Tues. November 13 at 4:30 p.m. in the Laminan Lounge (Olin Center). The Director Deborah Pacini, Jean Wu and other faculty will be there to answer your questions about the recent curriculum changes, as well as other American Studies issues you might want to talk about. Also present will be the recipients of last year's Ted Shapiro Awards, who will talk briefly about their projects.
Be sure to visit the Aidekman Arts Center to view the exhibit of Miguel Luciano, the Artist in Residence at Tufts who was here in October. His fabulous art work will be on display through December.
Posted 9/24/07
Miguel Luciano: Art at the Intersection of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics
From October 20 to December 30th, artist Miguel Luciano's show titled Cuando las Gallinas Mean (When Hens Pee) will be on view at the Slater Concourse Gallery in the Aidekman Art Complex. The show will be accompanied by a lecture, Boricua Pop: Puerto Rican Folklore and Consumer Fantasy on October 22, 5-7 PM. Three student art workshops will be held to facilitate a collaboration between the artist and Tufts student on creating a piece to be shown at Tufts. Please click on the postcard below to view a detailed description of this program.
Posted 11/1/07
Identities in Motion:
The Construction of Asian-American Identity in the Film Industry
Wednesday, November 14, 2007, Barnum 08, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Come hear filmmaker Eric Byler of Charlotte Sometimes and Americanese, speak about the media representation of Asian Americans in films and its effects on identity construction. Eric has also made a TV pilot and several Youtube political documentaries focusing on the intersection of race and politics.
For more information on Eric please go to:
http://myspace.com/ericbyler
http://www.youtube.com/user/EricByler52
Click here to view the flyer.
Posted 9/30/07
Health Disparities & Higher Education Symposium
Saturday, November 17, 2007 — Tufts University
Boston is one of the nation's most prestigious hubs of cutting-edge medical training, treatment, and research. And yet it is also home to some of the most serious and shocking disparities in heath and health care.
Featuring guest speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, the Health Disparities & Higher Education Symposium aims to help Boston-area students, faculty, and community members gain a better understanding of health disparities, and our role as individuals, institutions, and communities in fighting to ensure that all people have access to quality health and health care.
The daylong event will feature presentations, workshops, and keynotes by: John Auerbach, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health; Anthony Chen, the Medical Director of Community Health and Director of Minority Health at Cambridge Health Alliance; Elmer Freeman , the Executive Director of the Center for Community Health Education Research and Service, Inc., and Representative to the National Institutes of Health; Brian Gibbs , the Director of the Division of Public Health Practice and Program to Eliminate Health Disparities at the Harvard School of Public Health; Joan Reede, the Dean for Diversity and Community Partnership at Harvard Medical School, and many, many others!
This symposium is free and open to the public. However, space is filling up quickly. Please visit http://healthdisparities07.googlepages.com/ to register and learn more.
Posted 10/12/07
New Arts Festival Day
New Arts Festival Day is Sunday, November 18. Two performances at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in Distler Hall. Free and open to the public. Features the Tufts Dance Ensemble directed by Daniel McCusker. New works by Tufts Composers and the New Music Ensemble, directed by John McDonald. Also featuring premiere choreography by guest artist Kaela San Lee.
Posted 9/23/07
Honk! Symposium: The Philosophy of Honk: Street Bands, Civic Engagement, and Social Change
On October 5, 3-5 P.M., join internationally known speakers as they talk about this exciting new form of street art at the kick-off event for Return of Honk! - the second annual festival of activist street bands. Location: Davis Square, Somerville. View the flyer here.