Performing Arts Center Managing Director Headlines at Geneva College

Catanzarite tapped to discuss faith, culture, and the arts

MIDLAND, Pa., April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Blending original music and commentary, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center managing director Stephen Catanzarite will deliver a unique presentation on the role of the creative and performing arts in redeeming contemporary culture as part of Geneva College's Visiting Artist and Lecture series.

"Growing up in Beaver County, I've always valued and respected the bright light Geneva casts across our valley from its perch atop College Hill," Catanzarite said. "It's an honor to be invited to present there as a visiting artist, and to have the opportunity to have a dialogue with students, faculty, and the public."

Catanzarite will unite with students and faculty from the music department of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, including Grammy-winning saxophonist Eric DeFade and acclaimed guitarist Jim Petroff, who co-directs the school's improvisation ensemble. Student musicians Josh Donovan, Charina Kimes, Drew Kramer and Corrine Savage also will accompany Catanzarite as he performs original music.

"I wanted to do something different and incorporate a few of my original songs into my talk," Catanzarite said. "Playing with these superb musicians from Lincoln Park has given me a lot of confidence that it will work. I'm looking forward to it." Catanzarite has also invited Savage, an up-and-coming young songwriter, to perform a pair of her songs. "She's a big talent and I know we'll be hearing a lot from and about her in the years ahead. I'm grateful she's taking part."

The event will take place on Thurs., April 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the John White Chapel of the college's Old Main building in the College Hill section of Beaver Falls and is free and open to the public.

Catanzarite is the author of Achtung Baby: Meditations on Love in the Shadow of the Fall, in which he discusses U2's Achtung Baby album as it relates to religion, politics, spirituality and culture, and proposes that the work is a concept album about love and the fall of man. He was also a presenter at the first academic conference dedicated to the work of U2 in 2009, and his talk is included as a chapter in the book Exploring U2. A rare conservative voice commenting on popular culture and the arts, Catanzarite is also a member of the advisory board of "Achtung," the U2 studies journal.

Catanzarite helped to found the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. He also served as the Chairman of the Baden Academy Charter School, which was recently given the green light to open in the former Mt. Gallitzin Academy building.

A graduate of Rochester Area High School, Catanzarite has a bachelor's degree in creative writing from Carnegie Mellon University, and a masters in education from Franciscan University.

The Geneva Visiting Arts and Lecture Series also is featuring Catanzarite discussing the music of U2 on Friday, April 13 at 10:10 a.m. at the same venue.

Contact: Christina Zarek
717-805-2337
[email protected]

SOURCE Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center