National names headline CCBC programs in April
Newark’s Mayor Cory Booker, Philadelphia music prodigy Jordan Thomas, Chicago renowned science writer Rebecca Skloot, and New York dancer and choreographer Peter Pucci

Baltimore, MD (April 12, 2012) – During April, the Community College of Baltimore County showcases four exceptionally talented people who have made a national mark in their professions. These programs are free or family-friendly priced for the community as well as our students to enjoy.

Office of Student Life presents The Honorable Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, New Jersey, as its Spotlight Speaker for April 2012

12:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in the B Building Theatre at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard.

Elected with a clear mandate for change, Booker has begun work on realizing a bold vision for the city.

Booker brings his passion for social change to the podium. Sharing stories formed by real life, Booker demonstrates the need for everyone to take responsibility to help this nation live up to its promise. Drawing from a deep belief in service and social justice, Mayor Booker inspires audiences to greater civic responsibility and issues a call to action for America.

Free, but tickets are required. Call the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-2787 (ARTS) for your free tickets.

Music at CCBC presents Jordan Thomas, harpist, in concert on each CCBC campus

11:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 18 at CCBC Catonsville, Building Q, Lounge,
800 S. Rolling Road
11:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19 at CCBC Dundalk, Building K, Student Lounge,
7200 Sollers Point Road
12:20 p.m. Friday, April 20 at CCBC Essex, Building E, Recital Hall,
7201 Rossville Boulevard

Despite his youth, Philadelphia native Jordan Thomas has already impressed the musical world. He studies at the Peabody Institute and is a sought-after orchestral and recital harpist. His honors include twice winning the gold medal in instrumental music at the Philadelphia NAACP ACT-SO competition, a fellowship from the national Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, and First Place in the Philadelphia All-City Concerto Competition.

In addition to playing as a harpist and soloist with regional orchestras, Jordan also freelances in jazz, contemporary music and musicals. Most recently he played in the orchestra for the CCBC Theater production of The Fantasticks.

Free. No tickets required.

CCBC Community Book Connection hosts its keynote speaker for 2011-2012 Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

10 a.m. Monday, April 23, in the D Building, CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard. Rebecca Skloot will discuss her book.
2 p.m. Monday, April 23, in the Q Building, CCBC Catonsville, 800 S. Rolling Road Rebecca Skloot and David “Sonny” Lacks, Henrietta’s son, will be in attendance for a Q&A session at CCBC Catonsville.

“Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor black tobacco farmer whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most important tools in medicine, vital for developing the polio vaccine, cloning, gene mapping, in-vitro fertilization, and more. Henrietta’s cells have been bought and sold by the billions, yet she remains virtually unknown, and her family can’t afford health insurance.”

Skloot’s award-winning non-fiction account brings Henrietta Lacks to life for all of us.

Free, but tickets required. Call the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-2787 (ARTS) for your free tickets. For more information, or for directions about where to park if groups are traveling with a bus, contact Heather Harris at hharris@ccbcmd.edu.

World-renowned dancer, choreographer, movement director and CCBC alumnus Peter Pucci premieres an original piece in conjunction with the CCBC Dance Company’s Spring Dance Concert

CCBC’s stellar Dance Company performs at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, April 26 and at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28 in the Building B Theatre at CCBC Essex, 7201 Rossville Boulevard. The program will offer a varied evening of contemporary dance and will feature a new piece by CCBC Alumnus and Guest Choreographer Peter Pucci as part of “CCBC’s Year of the Performing Arts.”

General admission to the dance concert is $8 and $5 for seniors, students, CCBC faculty, staff and alumni. Tickets are available from the CCBC Box Office at 443-840-2787 (ARTS) and at the door two hours prior to each performance.

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About CCBC (www.ccbcmd.edu)
CCBC offers hundreds of programs and thousands of courses helping people of all ages, backgrounds and interests earn degrees, transfer, launch or advance careers, and prepare for in-demand jobs. Providing accessible, affordable and high quality education since 1957, CCBC educates more than 70,000 students each year, including half of all Baltimore County residents attending college in Maryland as undergraduates. Committed to student success and the development of lifelong learners who strengthen our regional workforce and enrich our community, CCBC has also been selected to participate in Achieving the Dream, a national student success initiative.

CCBC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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