Community, Cornell, connecting

The second of a two-part East Hill Notes on Cornell and summertime academics and activities.

The beauty of Cornell University – beyond its vast, natural landscapes, including the Botanic Gardens, see picture – are accessible resources and engagement for many on several fronts.

In July, these are free and open-to-all events, and just a representative campus sampling, beginning with:

“Gratefully Yours” on the Arts Quad, Friday July 7, 7 p.m. Descriptor: “If you missed the Dead & Company concert at Cornell this spring, or you’re wanting more, this Grateful Dead inspired band from New Paltz (NY) will bring out the jams. Gratefully Yours’ impressive improvisations, spontaneity, and the ability to connect with an audience transports the magic of classic Dead performances to fans young and old.” 

“Mission to Earth: Agriculture as a Holistic Solution” at Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, Wednesday, July 12, 7 p.m. Descriptor: Benjamin Houlton, Dean of Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, on how, “Our world – the Blue Planet – is undergoing radical change through the advancement of human societies and economic growth. Solutions-based thinking with a focus on opportunities that allow us to work effectively with local and global challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and issues of sustainability is advancing our efforts to address these problems. This is the ‘Mission to Earth’ for the 21st century.”

“Stanning Emily: Reading Dickinson and Brontё, Now and Then” at Call Auditorium, Wednesday July 19, 7 p.m. Descriptor: “Mary Loeffelholz, dean of the School of Continuing Education, and Caroline Levine, the David and Kathleen Ryan Professor of Humanities, on “Emily Brontë and Emily Dickinson, both recently reincarnated for 21st-century ‘stans’ (super fans),  Brontë in the biopic ‘Emily’ and Dickinson in the Apple TV+ series ‘Dickinson’.  Levine and Loeffelholz will discuss these recent adaptations from their shared perspective as feminist literary scholars educated in the 20th century. Why Emily, why now, who’s watching, and what do these adaptations have to say about the way we read now?”

Arleigh Rose Kincheloe (a.k.a Sister Sparrow) on the Cornell Arts Quad, Friday July 28, 7 p.m. Descriptor:  “Known far and wide as the leader and songwriter of acclaimed soul collective Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds, Arleigh Rose Kincheloe brings a new project to life with her brother Jackson.  For more than a decade, Sister Sparrow & The Dirty Birds have been hailed for their explosive brand of modern soul and celebrated equally for their five studio albums and electrifying live performances. Arleigh’s new, more tightly-knit band based in the Hudson Valley, brings a more intimate exploration of old and new songs.” Adds The Baltimore Sun: Arleigh Kincheloe has one of the biggest voices in the business. Prepare to be blown away.”

East Hill Notes are published the first and third Wednesdays of each month in Tompkins Weekly. Gary Stewart is associate vice president in Cornell University’s Office of Community Relations.