In honor of the 400th anniversary of the publication of Don Quixote, UCLA is hosting a month-long celebration in April of Miguel de Cervantes' addled knight who teaches each new generation to dream the impossible dream. Month of La Mancha activities include a scholarly conference, public lecture, Cervantine ball, marathon reading, UCLA Extension course and two library exhibits that explore the novel originally printed during the first week April in 1605. Plans also include a screening of cinematic portrayals of the work recognized as the first modern novel and the second bestselling book in history.
Information: (310) 825-1036.
Here's the line-up:
March 14-April 30: "El Caballero de la Triste Figura: Cervantiana from the Collection of Enrique Rodríguez-Cepeda," a Cervantes scholar and UCLA professor of Spanish who has spent 35 years collecting unusual Don Quixote editions, engravings and diverse memorabilia, including vintage tiles, comic books, postcards and stamps. The exhibit is free and open to the public in the second floor rotunda of Powell Library. Hours vary.
Information: http://www2.library.ucla.edu or (310) 825-5756.
April 2: A new, day-long UCLA Extension course will examine Don Quixotee within its historical context and explore the novel's enduring relevance in literature, art, music, theater and film. Speakers include John Dagenais, the chair of UCLA's Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and four other prominent members of UCLA's and USC's permanent faculty. "The Gentleman of La Mancha," runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in room 39 of Haines Hall. Cost: $75 (noncredit), $110 (credit), $35 (noncredit--full-time students).
Information: www.uclaextension.edu/lamancha or (310) 825-2272.
April 7-9: A 2 1/2-day scholarly symposium, "Don Quixote Across Four Centuries, 1605-2005," will draw to campus more than two dozen distinguished Cervantes specialists from around the world. Open to the public, the symposium will take place in the Hacienda Room of UCLA's Faculty Center. Hours are 3 to 5 p.m. April 7 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 8-9. Admission is free.
Information: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/spanport or (310) 825-1036.
April 13-14: A graduate student-run marathon reading of Don Quixote, Part I, will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily in the east rotunda of Powell Library. The public is invited to participate in this bi-lingual fundraiser for student activities in UCLA's Department of Spanish and Portuguese.
Information: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/spanport or (310) 825-1036.
April-June: "Celebrating Cervantes: The Quatercentennial of Don Quixote," an exhibit in the lobby of Charles E. Young Research Library showcases rare editions of Don Quixote from library collections at the university. Admission is free. Hours vary.
Information: http://www2.library.ucla.edu or (310) 825-8301.
April 16: Powell Library presents "Cervantes' Don Quixote 400th Anniversary Renaissance Ball," featuring free instruction in dances of the late renaissance and baroque periods from 8 p.m. to midnight in the second floor rotunda. Admission is free. Costumes are welcome. No dance experience or partner is necessary. Space is limited. RSVP to Catherine Brown at cbrown@library.ucla.edu or (310) 206-4608 by April 14.
Information: www.studentgroups.ucla.edu/ballroomdance/Historical.html
April 26: Prominent UCLA Cervantes scholar Carroll Johnson will deliver UCLA's 98th Faculty Research Lecture at 3 p.m. in Schoenberg auditorium. "Is there an Author in this Text? Sidi Hamid Benengeli, Don Quijote and the Metafictional Conventions of Chivalric Romance" will explore the links between the novel and the 'Morisco' - or Spanish Moorish - culture of the late Spanish Renaissance. Admission is free.
Information: www.specialevents.ucla.edu/productions/faculty_lecture/Johnson.html or (310) 825-1036.
April 29: "Don Quixote and the Curse of the Silver Screen: A Complete Night of Incomplete Films." hosted by Amanda Williams and Paula Thorrington, Graduate Students, UCLA Department of Spanish & Portuguese. This evening will include viewings of cinematic representations of Don Quixote, the errant knight immortalized in Miguel de Cervantes's cornerstone novel. The audience is encouraged to participate in discussions of the various failures of these major motion pictures: Why didn't any of these multi-million dollar projects make it to the silver screen? Does the psychology of the delusional knight errant attract modern creative geniuses, luring them into a web of impossible dreams?
Special guest speaker Stefan Droessler, Director of the Munich Film Museum, will talk about Orson Welles's thirty-year project that ended with his death, as well as other recent and failed adaptations. Please join us from 6:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. in 39 Haines Hall for the grand finale of Month of La Mancha -commemorating the 400th anniversary of Don Quixote.
Information: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/spanport or (310) 825-1036.