Judy
Carmichael, Pianist
April 5, 2007
An amazing hour was spent with jazz pianist Judy Carmichael!
This musicians musical talents were a welcome change
from the norm. She's a musician whose entire life has
revolved around the world of jazz and the music created,
as well as the faboulous stories, are proof that she
has a true love of all things music.
Jazz is free flowing, filled with emotion, and Judy
Carmichael displayed this in her performance, as well
as her personality.
John
Gorka, Musician
March 8, 2007
At a time when the music scene is inundated with pop
bands, diva dramas, and songs without soul; Valencia
Community College invited a unique musician, John Gorka
whose musical styles are a hybrid of energetic folk,
non-traditional blue grass, and country.
Gorka's rich baritone voice and stylized writing skills
have given him the nickname "the intense white guy from
New Jersey." During his performances, he fuses his various
talents and delivers warmth and intimacy to his audience
unlike any other non-commercial musician. Valencia's
presentation of John Gorka is guaranteed to deliver
those results and more; music that is sincere and as
genuine as the performer himself.
Carol
Frost - Poet 
February 20, 2007
Carol Frost's poems and essays have appeared in The
Paris Review, Kenyon Review, The New York Times, New
England Review, Atlantic Monthly, TriQuarterly, Shenandoah,
and The Southern Review. This recipient of two fellowships
from the National Endowment for the Arts, three Pushcart
Prizes, and magazine prizes from Ploughshares and Prairie
Schooner visited Valencia Community College to read
from her selected works.
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Caryl
Phillips - Author
February 1, 2007
Caryl Phillips is an author whose writing literally
crosses oceans in an attempt to define itself. Osceola
Campus was honored to host Caryl Phillips; who wouldn't?
He is among the who's who of contemporary authors and
a professor at Yale. This writer's unique style comes
from his self-proclaimed "rootlessness," he lists three
homes in three countries as a source of residence.
Phillips takes a view of the rigid European way of
life and the uncomplicated view of a Caribbean lifestyle
and juxtaposes them. As a result, his writing often
reflects various "dualities" that he has experienced
in his life. He allows a reader to see his characters
landscape from numerous points of view. He confronts
topics such as race and heritage in today's society
and illustrates how they were created and flourished.
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 Fred
Chappell
- Novelist & Former
NC Poet Laureate
January 25, 2007
This award-winning authors prose and poetry allowed
the listener to become part of his readings. He has
a knack for engrossing the audience in his stories.
From futuristic short stories to poignant poetry, it
was a wonderful afternoon of spoken word and expressive
verse with novelist and North Carolina Poet Laureate.
Fred Chappell proved to our students, staff, and faculty
why many consider him to be one of our generation's
mostintellectual writers and poets.
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Michael
York - Actor
November 9, 2006
Michael York's lecture on Rogues and Vagabonds kept
the audience enraptured. His humor, drama, and flair
made this more than a lecture; it was a one man theatrical
production! Many thanks to Michael York for his time
and efforts in support of "The
Kerouac Project of Orlando" and Valencia Community
College .
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Rick
Campbell & Kelle Groom - Poets  
November 9, 2006
Rick Campbell and Kelly Groome shared
their poetry to an atrium full of interested students,
faculty, staff and community members. Both poets graciously
answered questions regarding their journey through and
to poetry and followed the reading with a 'master class'
for Valencia Students.
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Dianne
Ochiltree - Children's Author
November 11, 2006
Dressed in a nightgown with puppy slippers on her feet,
Author Dianne Ochiltree, read to an audience ranging
from 2 years to - 10 years old. Attendees were treated
to stories such as Pillow Pup , Ten Monkey
Jamboree , Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins and
her latest - Lull-a-Bye, Little One.
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Malu de Martino
- Director
October 20, 2006
 Over
100 students, community members, faculty and staff previewed
the film Mulheres do Brasil (Women of Brazil)
at Valencia's West Campus. This film elucidates a changing
female identity through narrating the lives of five
women from differing backgrounds and regions of Brazil.
This film was punctuated with documentary footage from
the different cities and characters portrayed, and offers
the audience generous helpings of the sometimes soft
and spiritual, often raw and violent realities of each
woman's life. The highlight of the night was Q&A
with Director Malu de Martino who offered insight on
the challenges of producing and directing in a country
where the film industry is just begining to grow again.
This film screening was in partnership with the Brazilian
American Chamber of Commerce and the University of Florida's
Center for Latin American Studies.
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 Julianna
Baggott - Poet, Novelist & Children's Author
September 14, 2006
Stuffed to the gills (or the pages), our West Campus
Library was overflowing with students, faculty, staff
and community members. Each guest waited to hear Julianna
Baggott's written words come to life. The author shared
read from her novel The Madam and provided a synopsis
her other novels including Which Brings Me To You
and Girl Talk .
In the evening Julianna read to a select (and younger)
audience from her series of books titled The Anybodies
, The Nobodies , and The Somebodies
.
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