NEWS RELEASE

News Bureau . Schofield Hall 201 . Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
fax: (715) 836-2900

An outdoor concert by ethnic flutist Peter Phippen will highlight the first week in an eight-week series of free Summer Session Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Monday, June 9.

The Summer Session Programs show will begin at 7 p.m. on the Central Campus Mall. Refreshments will be sold. Audience members are invited to bring blankets or folding chairs for lawn seating.

"There is no doubt that with such talent and so many beautiful melodies that Peter Phippen will one day be one of the greats," wrote Ethnotempos of France.

A professional musician for the past 25 years, Phippen spent his early career days as a bass guitarist and recording artist. But in 1987 his first flute - a 25-cent bamboo whistle - found its way into his hands, and wooden flutes became his solo instruments of choice. His collection of wood, clay and bone flutes now numbers over 150 instruments from all over the world. His research into the performance technique and history of these instruments led him to bring this knowledge to the concert stage.

As a recording artist for Canyon Records, Phippen has released two CDs of original music. "Book of Dreams" (1996) was named number 17 among the top national albums in the New Age Voice magazine. His 1999 recording, "Echoes of the Past," features the haunting tones of the Native American flute, bamboo flute and Japanese shakuhachi. The album has received critical acclaim and airtime on Public Radio International's syndicated show, "Echoes."

In the event of rain, the concert will be presented in Schofield Auditorium.

Also on campus during the week of June 9 are these free Summer Session Programs:

• "Ghost World" (2001) will screen Tuesday and Thursday at noon and 7 p.m. in Davies Theatre, opening a weekly Summer Cinema series about young people making their way in the world.

  Terry Zwigoff followed his hit documentary, "Crumb," with this quirky drama about two ultrahip and cynical best friends (Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson) who face an uncertain future after graduating high school. "There's a couple like this in every high school: The smart outsider girls who are best friends for the purpose of standing back to back and fighting off the world," wrote film critic Roger Ebert. "I wanted to hug this movie. It takes such a risky journey and never steps wrong. It creates specific, original, believable, lovable characters, and meanders with them through their inconsolable days, never losing its sense of humor." Rated R, the 111-minute color film will screen via DVD projection.

• Jazz combos will play during lunch in the open air, from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday on the Central Campus Mall (rain: The Cabin of Davies Center). A variety of grilled lunch items will be sold.

Summer Session Programs continue through July. A complete schedule is available from the Activities and Programs office, Davies Center 133, (715) 836-4833.
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JS/NW

Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu

Updated: May 27, 2003