BU English Major Releases EP

See this piece in the Belmont Vision about Michael Huff, multitalented English major (see his write-up of the Staunton, Virginia trip here). You can catch Michael live tonight at The Rutledge.

Wells, Fallis to Speak at Homecoming Events

Dr. James Wells will deliver the Simmons Lecture on Wednesday, February 24 at 10:00 in the Massey Board Room. The title of his talk is "'And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine': Tantalizing Prospects in Shakespeare's Theatre."



On Thursday at 11:00 in the Vince Gill Room, Dr. Richard Fallis will discuss "What is the Future of the Liberal Arts?" Dr. Fallis is a former faculty member and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Belmont, is is currently Professor of English and Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Mercer University.



Hope to see you all there.

Poems to Songs for BU English Alum

BU English alum Aaron Briggs just received word that two of his poems--turned into lyrics as part of a song cycle "From Nashville to Dalton" by Rachel Fogarty--will be performed by the Boston Metro Opera at the 1st Annual Contemporary AmericanaFest in May. You can find the text of the poems on Aaron's blog here.

In other Briggs family news, Aaron and fellow BU English alum Ashley (Bienvenu) Briggs welcomed baby Ansel Franklin Briggs into this world February 15. Congratulations all around!

Support "Local Literacy"

On Friday, the English Club will continue to collect money to create a basket full of goodies to be auctioned off during Homecoming to raise money for Literacy Day. The theme of the basket will be "Local Literacy," both in the sense of reading and of learning about local businesses. You are encouraged to ask the place where you work or any other local businesses you frequent to contribute gift certificates we can put in the basket.

Professor Trout will be bringing more baked goods to the Writing Center tomorrow for a second "fake bake sale," so come by and give a couple of bucks to Denise Mabry and enjoy the taste of good citizenship.

BU English Majors in Print

Check out the February edition of Southern Inspired magazine. Managing Editor and BU English alum Claire Ploegman has left some copies on the table outside Dr. Paine's office. In this issue, you'll find articles by Claire and by current BU English majors Meagan Proctor, Sarah Shepherd, and Cory Pavlinac (who, you may remember, wrote about the Southern Festival of Books for the blog back in 2009). You can also become a fan of Southern Inspired on Facebook.

Valentine Poetry Stand Event Friday!

(from Dr. Alexander): The Belmont Literary Journal is having a Valentine's Day publicity/sort-of-fund-raiser tomorrow in Beaman, writing and typing customized poems for all comers. The BLJ will be accepting donations (sort of a "tip jar" arrangement) for the poems. English students should drop by to say hello and order a poem--however, I should note that they may be drafted to help write poems if the demand is great! Just kidding. It is fun, though, and if anyone wants to help, you won't be turned away.

In any case, here's the more relevant thing: If everything goes well with the "tip jar" tomorrow that might bode well for future fund-raising use of the Poetry Stand. Whatever happens, the PS is available for any and all English students to make use of for whatever English-related purpose they might be able to devise, including fundraising. The PS lives in my office, just because there's nowhere else to store it, but it can be commandeered anytime. I'll show anyone wanting to use it how to break it down/set it up.

English Club Meeting Friday!

Our first English Club meeting will be held tomorrow at 10:00 in WHB 209. There is much to discuss, including events this semester and our participation in Family Literacy Day. Everyone is welcome—bring a friend. If you have not gotten your t-shirts you ordered last semester they will be available for pick-up. And of course, there will be snacks.