Neat. Press release here:
Asheville Sister Cities Incorporated (ASCI) is hosting a series of events on Maya archaeology, history and culture, giving audiences an opportunity to explore this Mesoamerican civilization beyond its famous calendar.
The feature event is the first performance of “Palenque Rojo” in the United States. The titular theater company, which is based in Asheville’s Sister City of San Cristóbal de las Casas, will bring more than 20 actors, dancers and musicians to Diana Wortham Theatre to tell the story of two Maya dynasties – Palenque and Tonina – at war in the year A.D. 711. “Palenque Rojo” will be presented Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for students and may be purchased at the Diana Wortham Theatre box office or online at www.dwtheatre.org.
Complementing the performance will be a pair of lectures by Barnardsville resident George Stuart, who has devoted more than 50 years to the study of the Maya people, including nearly 40 years as a staff archeologist for the National Geographic Society. His first lecture, to be held on Thursday, Aug. 23, will focus on Palenque, and a second lecture on Thursday, Oct. 18 will focus on sites of the northern Yucatan peninsula. Both lectures begin at 8 p.m. in the Ferguson Auditorium on the campus of AB Tech. Cost is only $10 per person and $5 for students, and tickets may be purchased in advance from ASCI or at the door.
Prior to the Aug. 23 event, Mamacita’s Baja Kitchen will cater a themed dinner, and AB Tech’s renowned culinary department will cater a Mexican dinner prior to the Oct. 18 lecture. The dinners will begin at 6 p.m. with a cost of $20 per ticket. Due to limited seating for the dinners, reservations are required and may be made by contacting Gwen Hughes at gwengh@charter.net.
For more information about any of these events, please visit the Asheville Sister Cities website at www.ashevillesistercities.org.
AT A GLANCE
“Palenque Rojo: Maya Passion, Music, Dance & Myth”
Saturday, Sept. 8 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m.
Diana Wortham Theatre
Admission: $25 for adults, $15 for students
Tickets available at Diana Wortham Theatre box office or online at www.dwtheatre.com“Maya Site of Palenque” – Lecture by Maya expert George Stuart
Thursday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m.
Ferguson Auditorium, AB Tech
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for students
Tickets available at the door.
Preceding dinner by Mamacita’s Baja Kitchen at 6 p.m. Tickets: $20. Reservations (required): gwengh@charter.net“Maya Sites of Northern Yucatan” – Lecture by Maya expert George Stuart
Thursday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m.
Ferguson Auditorium, AB Tech
Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for students
Tickets available at the door.
Preceding dinner by AB Tech Culinary Dept. at 6 p.m. Tickets: $20. Reservations (required): gwengh@charter.net