Something old, something new

Madrigal Banquet, Illumination will help set the mood for the holidays

Members of the campus community can usher in the holidays by taking part in two seasonal traditions - one old and one new.

The new one is Old Dominion University Illumination, an event where faculty, staff, students and area residents will come together on Kaufman Mall Wednesday, Nov. 28, for a candle lighting ceremony. The old tradition, now in its 27th year, is the Madrigal Banquet, featuring music from the British Isles performed by the Madrigal Singers and Collegium Musicum on historically accurate instruments. Banquets will be held the evenings of Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

The date of the Illumination, originally scheduled for Nov. 30, has been changed to Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. It will be preceded by refreshments from 3:30-5 p.m. in the Webb Center lobby, where employees will have an opportunity to greet President Roseann Runte and the vice presidents. (In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Nov. 30.)

Sponsored by President Runte and the new Faculty/Staff Alumni Chapter, the Illumination is being held prior to the holiday break to encourage students to join faculty and staff, as well as family members of employees, in the ceremony.

Participants are asked to gather on the mall at 5 p.m. and bring a canned food to exchange for a candle. The food will be given to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. "Light symbolizes warmth, and our ceremony will bring people together to share the warmth we have in this community with those who have less," Runte said.

As the candle lighting ceremony begins at 5:30, a lighted wreath above the front entrance to Webb Center will be turned on. The program will include a performance by the university Men's Chorale and holiday greetings from international students in their native language. Refreshments will be available following the ceremony.

The Madrigal Banquet begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, in the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center Atrium. The menu consists of prime rib with Yorkshire pudding, roasted potatoes, green beans, salad, and plum pudding with brandy sauce.

The entertainment provided by the Madrigal Singers and Collegium Musicum, under the direction of Lee Teply, will feature the music of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, as well as holiday favorites.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for non-Old Dominion students and groups of six or more, and $15 for Old Dominion students, and must be purchased by noon on Nov. 29. For tickets call 683-4061 or 683-4444.