This week’s Hotline! includes the following articles:

• Minnesota Opera in residence at VCSU next week
• Meyers plays percussion at Fargo’s Frostival
• Da Vinha and Dutton co-author book chapter on Mexican-American border
• Viking sports update
• What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

The VCSU Hotline! online newsletter is published every Monday during the academic year. Deadline to submit articles (photos encouraged) is 3 p.m. the Friday before publication.

Minnesota Opera in residence at VCSU next week

Minnesota Opera will be in residency at Valley City State University Monday–Wednesday, Feb. 12–14. While on campus, Minnesota Opera resident artists will present a recital, teach a public master class, coach VCSU voice students in lessons, share their expertise in classes and take part in workshop performances by VCSU music ensembles presenting opera-themed works.

Minnesota Opera artists will present a recital of beloved opera arias on Monday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Vangstad Auditorium. A meet-the-artists reception will follow. Featured artists include Pablo Siqueiros, baritone; Andy Acosta, tenor; Bergen Baker, soprano; Nadia Fayad, mezzo soprano; and Lindsay Woodward, piano.

On Tuesday, Feb. 13, the Minnesota Opera artists will conduct a public master class at 7:30 p.m. in Vangstad Auditorium. The recital will feature Lindsay Woodward on piano and showcase VCSU singers, area high school singers and young professionals.

Featured high school singers include William Egan, baritone (Enderlin); Maggie Oberlander, soprano (Valley City); Jade Oksendahl, soprano (Valley City); and Emily Sahl, soprano (Hunter). VCSU singers include Mikey Meester, tenor (Valley City); Joseph Munowenyu, bass baritone (Valley City); and Rochelle Van Bruggen, soprano (Marion). Featured young professionals include Tylen Ro Bultema, soprano, and Ian Sherwood, both of Fargo.

Minnesota Opera has distinguished itself with productions of unusual and rare operas in the last decade. In 2011, Minnesota Opera produced “Silent Night” by composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell, a Minnesota Opera commission that won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in music. In May 2016, Minnesota Opera produced “The Shining,” a newly commissioned American opera in two acts with music by composer Paul Moravec and a libretto by Mark Campbell, based on the novel by Stephen King. It is part of the New Works Initiative of Minnesota Opera.

All events are open to the public free of charge. Contact Robin Allebach at 701-845-7262 for more information.

Meyers plays percussion at Fargo’s Frostival

Nicholaus Meyers, assistant professor of music, performed at the third annual Frostival in downtown Fargo on Jan. 26 with the Varying Degrees Percussion Trio. The group played unique instruments made of ice, along with traditional cymbals, shakers, woodblocks and other drums.
 
View the video at www.wday.com/news/4394561-dont-hibernate-celebrate-frostival-boasts-winter-activities-all-ages to get an idea of the sounds and the scene; Meyers and his fellow musicians can be seen and heard beginning at the 44-second mark of the video.

Da Vinha and Dutton co-author book chapter on Mexican-American border

Luis da Vinha, assistant professor of geography and political science, and Anthony Dutton, associate professor and chair of the Social Science Department, co-authored a chapter in the book “(Re)Definições das Fronteiras: Velhos e Novos Paradigmas,” edited by Fernando Ludwig and Luciano Barros.

The chapter, titled “From ʻGringos Malhechoresʼ to ʻBad Hombresʼ: The Changing Narratives and Politics of the Mexican-American Border,” analyzes how the Mexican-American border has long been a key feature determining the relationship between the two neighboring nations.

Over the last two centuries, the border has had many different meanings for both Mexicans and Americans. During some periods it has represented a space of cooperation and interdependence. However, for much of the last two centuries, the border has been portrayed as a dangerous place which must be secured in order to eradicate critical threats to one of the nations.

The chapter illustrates how throughout much of the 19th century, for Mexico, the border required protection against the criminals and malefactors from the north, while since the 20th century Mexican trans-border activities have been portrayed as a threat to America’s economy, security, and identity. The chapter argues that the changing mental maps of the Mexican-American border have significantly influenced the relationship between both countries, particularly hindering greater cooperation and integration.

More information about the book can be found at www.idesf.org.br/post/lancamento-do-livro-re-definicoes-das-fronteiras-velhos-e-novos-paradigmas-na-universidade-de-coimbra.

Viking sports update

Women’s Basketball
Friday: VCSU 88, Viterbo University 60
Saturday: VCSU 75, Dickinson State 48
The Viking women’s basketball team extended its winning streak to 8 games with a pair of victories this weekend. VCSU—ranked No. 17 in the country—is now 20-3 overall and 12-2 in the North Star Athletic Association.

Men’s Basketball
Friday: VCSU 68, Viterbo University 52
Saturday: VCSU 79, Dickinson State 77 (2 OT)
Valley City State’s men’s basketball team went 2-0 this weekend, including a 79-77 win over Dickinson State in double overtime. The Vikings have won 3 games in a row and are now 11-15 overall and 5-9 in the NSAA.

Track & Field
VCSU freshman Bryeann Robertson qualified for the NAIA National Championships, and Viking athletes set three school records Saturday during the NDSU Bison Open. For complete results, visit www.vcsuvikings.com/article/2909.php.

Softball
The Valley City State University softball team is set to open the 2018 season this weekend with four games at the Presentation College Dome Tournament in Aberdeen, S.D. The Vikings play at noon and 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. 

Upcoming Events
Feb. 7: WBB/MBB vs. Trinity Bible College, 5:30/7:30 p.m.
Feb. 9–10: Track & Field @ SDSU Indoor Classic (Brookings, S.D.)
Feb. 10: Softball @ Presentation College Dome, noon/4 p.m.
Feb. 10: WBB/MBB @ University of Jamestown, 3/5 p.m.
Feb. 11: Softball @ Presentation College Dome, noon/4 p.m.
Feb. 11–12: Track & Field @ NSAA Indoor Multi Championships (Jamestown)

What’s happening at VCSU and around Valley City…

Monday, February 5

Tuesday, February 6
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW

Wednesday, February 7
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball vs. Trinity Bible College, W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse

Thursday, February 8
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Student Center Norway Room
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, February 9
Viking track and field @ DSDSU Indoor Classic, Brookings, S.D. (Feb. 9–10)

Saturday, February 10
Viking softball @ Presentation College Dome Tournament (Feb. 10–11), Aberdeen, S.D.
3 and 5 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball @ University of Jamestown, Jamestown, N.D.

Sunday, February 11
Viking track and field @ NSAA multi championships (Feb. 11–12), Jamestown, N.D.

Monday, February 12

Tuesday, February 13
12:05 p.m. Rotary, VFW
6 p.m. VCSU Junior Naturalists Nature Arts & Crafts, Rhoades Science Center, Room 135

Wednesday, February 14
Ash Wednesday
Valentine’s Day
noon Kiwanis, Valley City Town & Country Club

Thursday, February 15
Payday
7 a.m. Optimists, Vicky’s Viking Room
noon Toastmasters, VCSU Student Center Norway Room
8:30–10:30 p.m. Vikings for Christ, Student Center Skoal Room

Friday, February 16
Chinese New Year
5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Viking women’s and men’s basketball @ Waldorf University, Forest City, Iowa

Saturday, February 17
Viking track and field @ NSAA Indoor Championships, Sanford Jackrabbit Athletic Complex, Brookings, S.D.
Pinochle Tournament, Valley City Eagles Club (Feb. 17-18)
Viking softball @ Presentation College Dome Tournament (Feb. 17-18), Aberdeen, S.D.

Sunday, February 18

Go to www.valleycitynd.org/calendar.php to see more events happening in and around Valley City.