Arts and Lectures Calendar for Spring 2025

This listing includes events for the spring semester at Eastern Mennonite University. To see most current details, additional events and further information, please visit the events calendar at: emu.edu/events

EMU News often publishes event previews. Visit emu.edu/news to view latest postings or to subscribe to the news digest to receive the Tuesday morning weekly update.

January

Jan. 16 — The Queer Student Alliance (QSA) and Office of Faith and Spiritual Life (FSL) host a screening of the award-winning documentary “1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture.” The film “follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.” A talkback session follows the screening. 7 p.m., University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). 

Jan. 16 — Music Faculty Artist Series concert with the Ben Guerrero Quartet. This exciting, grooving and fun concert of funk fusion music features EMU music program faculty member and percussionist Ben Guerrero with Thaddeus Jackson on guitar, Brian Incheck on bass and Alex Watson on piano. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 17 — Opening reception for artist Ashe Laughlin, assistant professor of painting and drawing in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Mary Washington. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

Jan. 19-20 — EMU hosts its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with a film screening of “Black Wall Street Burning” at 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 in the MainStage Theater, a unity march and Speak Out from 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 20 at the Black Lives Matter mural outside University Commons and a convocation on “Radical Truth-telling” from Jodie Geddes MA ’16 at 10:15 a.m. in Lehman Auditorium. A presentation on “Harrisonburg in the Jim Crow era” from EMU History Professor Mark Sawin will be at 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 20 in University Commons 176. View a full schedule of events here: emu.edu/mlk

Jan. 21 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Laura A.G. Yoder, PhD, RN – professor of nursing at EMU. “Q’eqchi’  Mothers’ Health Needs and Strengths in the Greater Chichen Region of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.” Dr. Yoder will share about a community health needs and strengths assessment conducted in the Greater Chichen region of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, and ongoing work with the Community Cloud Forest Conservation to promote health and well-being for Q’eqchi’ women. 12:10 p.m., West Dining Room, Northlawn.

Jan. 21 — Anabaptism at 500 Evening of Remembrance. Join the Shenandoah Valley Mennonite Historians for an evening of singing and storytelling representing lyrics and music from various local and regional Mennonite expressions through the years. 7 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Ave, Harrisonburg.

Jan. 26 — Senior recital featuring Thaddeus Jackson. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 27 — Concerto/Aria Competition. The two student-musicians who win this competition will earn coveted spots to perform with the EMU Orchestra during its spring Concerto/Aria Orchestra Concert on Saturday, April 25. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Jan. 29 — Campus Worship: What is the Good Life? Dr. John D. Roth, project director of MennoMedia’s Anabaptism at 500 initiative, presents. 10:15 a.m., Martin Chapel.

Jan. 29 — 500th Anniversary Lecture: “They Went Out From Us, But They Were Not of Us.” Dr. John D. Roth’s talk focuses on the challenge of unity and schism across the 500 years of Anabaptist tradition. 7 p.m., Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, 1552 S. High St., Harrisonburg.

Jan. 30 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures (1500s). As part of the Kennel-Charles Lecture Series, Dr. John D. Roth will present “Restoration or Renewal? Early Anabaptism and its Reformation Context” about Anabaptism in the 16th century. 7 p.m., Eastern Mennonite School Auditorium, 801 Parkwood Drive, Harrisonburg.

February

Feb. 6 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures (1600s). Dr. Mary Sprunger, professor of history at EMU, will present “Dutch Mennonites in the City and of the City” about Anabaptism in the 17th century. 7 p.m., Weavers Mennonite Church, 2501 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg.

Feb. 10 — Screening of “El Cacao: The Challenge of Fair Trade.” This film exposes the dark side of chocolate production in Latin America by examining the economics of fair trade from the point of view of indigenous farmers as they attempt to sustain their community through the growth, harvest, and trade of cacao beans in the global market. 6:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Feb. 13 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures (1700s). Elwood Yoder, historian and longtime Eastern Mennonite School teacher, will present “Farmers in Search of Land, Renewal, and Religious Freedom” about Anabaptism in the 18th century. 7 p.m., Weavers Mennonite Church, 2501 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg.

Feb. 14 — Suter Science Seminar: Philip E. Zapanta, MD, FACS  – head and neck surgeon for Sovah Health – Danville, VA, and clinical associate professor of surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “From Study Abroad to Scrubbed In: Life Lessons for Pre-Professional Health Science Students (and me).” Zapanta, a 1996 graduate of EMU, shares the importance of cross-cultural experiences, the application of “see one, do one, teach one” in professional growth, and the importance of incorporating values of service, humility, and lifelong learning into health care careers. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

Feb. 15 — High School Music Competition. The second annual competition, open to students in grades 9-12 and to all instruments, voice types and styles of music, returns to EMU. 9 a.m., Lehman Auditorium.

Feb. 18 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Daniel Showalter, PhD – associate professor of mathematics at EMU. “Student Mental Health: What’s Going On, and Why Should We Care?” The professor will share what led him to focus on student mental health as well as his journey to better understand the network in place to support students in their well-being. 12:10 p.m., West Dining Room, Northlawn.

Feb. 20 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures (1800s). Caleb Schrock-Hurst, a member of the staff of the Virginia Mennonite Conference, presents “Migration, Modernization, and Mission” about Anabaptism in the 19th century. 7 p.m., Weavers Mennonite Church, 2501 Rawley Pike, Harrisonburg.

Feb. 21 — Opening reception for exhibition by longtime EMU Visual and Communication Arts (VACA) Professor Jerry Holsopple, who is retiring after this year. His exhibition will serve as a culmination showcasing the work he has made over the past couple decades, along with some new work. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

Feb. 21 — International Food Festival. The beloved annual event provides an opportunity for students, faculty and members of the surrounding community to share the great wonders of their respective cultures through food. 5:30 p.m., University Commons Hall of Nations.

Feb. 21 — Senior recital featuring vocalist Reah Clymer. 8 p.m., Martin Chapel.

Feb. 21-23 — Intercollegiate Peace Fellowship (ICPF) 2025 Conference. This student-led conference, which rotates among host institutions each year, brings together students and faculty from Mennonite, Brethren, and Quaker colleges across the U.S. and Canada to examine issues of peace and justice. The theme for the 2025 ICPF is “Building Solidarity: from Turtle Island to Palestine.” View a schedule of events here: emu.edu/studentlife/clubs/websites/peace-fellowship/icpf

Feb. 27 — Anabaptism 1525/2025: Five Centuries, Five Lectures (1900s). Dr. Andrew Suderman, associate professor in theology, peace and mission at EMU, presents “Anabaptism Today: Being Reminded of an Anabaptist Vision” about Anabaptism in the 20th century. 7 p.m., Martin Chapel. 

Feb. 27— Jazz Ensemble Concert. This performance is part of the Jazz, Justice, and Jordans event hosted by EMU’s Black Student Alliance. 7 p.m., University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds).

Feb. 28 — Writers Read Author Series featuring Rachel Yoder, author of Nightbitch. Yoder’s debut novel, about an artist turned stay-at-home mom who becomes convinced she’s turning into a dog, was selected as an Indie Next Pick in August 2021 and was named a best book of the year by Esquire and Vulture. Yoder serves as assistant professor of screenwriting and cinema arts at the University of Iowa. A film adaptation of Nightbitch, starring Amy Adams, was released in December. 7:30 p.m., Martin Chapel.

March 

Spring Break for students is between Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 9. Classes resume on March 10.

March 1-6 — Chamber Singers spring break tour. The auditioned touring chamber choir performs at several locations around Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia before wrapping up its tour at The Music Room on Main in Orange, Virginia. View the tour schedule here: emu.edu/music/chamber-singers

March 13 — Music Student Spring Recital I. 12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

March 13 — Keim Lecture Series. Elizabeth Catte presents on her book Pure America: Eugenics and the Making of Modern Virginia. 4:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.

March 14 — Suter Science Seminar: Susan Gaylord, PhD – research associate professor and director of the Integrative Medicine Program at the University of North Carolina; and Hongtao Li, PhD – assistant professor of biology at EMU. “Why Integrative Health Care?” This seminar will introduce the concept of Integrative Medicine, and why it’s essential to health care today. 10:15 a.m., Suter Science Center 106.

March 14 — Love, Joy, and Peace: A Choral Celebration! 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

March 16-25 — Chamber Singers international tour. The choir sings at venues across Europe, including in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, before concluding their tour with performances celebrating the 500-year anniversary of the birth of Anabaptism at Mennonite World Conference. View the tour schedule here: emu.edu/music/chamber-singers

March 17 — Screening of “No Place to Grow.” This film follows a group of Latinx farmers who find themselves representing a movement to save the last green space centered within a neighborhood facing gentrification in Santa Cruz, California. 6:30 p.m., Suter Science Center 106.

March 17 — Wind Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

March 18 — Sabbatical Spotlight: Kristopher Schmidt, PhD – professor of biology at EMU. “Deciphering Defences: Using Applied Genomics to Better Understand Innate Immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans.” Schmidt presents a case study showcasing how we have used genomic approaches to unravel the role of the cytoskeletal regulator unc-53/Nav2 in immunity. 12:10 p.m., West Dining Room, Northlawn.

March 20 — Writers Read Author Series featuring M.C. (Christine) Benner Dixon ’04, author of The Height of Land. Benner Dixon is a teacher, poet, editor, and novelist living in Pittsburgh who spent about 15 years in academia as a classroom teacher and scholar before launching her freelance editing and writing business. Her poetry and fiction has been described as tending toward “contemplative melancholy, with occasional detours into the strange and creepy.” Her debut novel The Height of Land “follows the quest of a young man in the distant future, torn between spiritual longing and commitment to his community’s survival in a harsh landscape (Goodreads)” and is scheduled to release in March 2025. 7:30 p.m., Martin Chapel. 

March 21 — President’s Town Hall. 10:05 a.m., Martin Chapel.

March 28-April 5 — EMU Theatre presents “On the Breath of God: The Life of Maria Skobtsova.” This world-premiere production created by EMU professors Jerry Holsopple and Justin Poole showcases the remarkable life of the Russian poet, saint and martyr Maria Skobtsova. This edgy, defiant, offbeat, twice-divorced, chain-smoking nun, who called Tolstoy and other intellectual giants her friends, broke many stereotypes. This is a musical featuring a chorus of female mystics who sing Celtic tunes to the accompaniment of a live band. 7 p.m. on March 28-29 and April 3-5, 2 p.m. on March 30. MainStage Theater.

April

April 2 — LovEMU Giving Day 2025. Show how much you love EMU with your generous support during the ninth annual LovEMU Day. All day.

April 4 — Senior Show 1. Come see the final projects of the first group of senior VaCA students. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

April 5 — Sophomore recital featuring Rafael de Tablan. 3 p.m., Martin Chapel.

April 11 — Wind Ensemble & University Choir Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 12 — University Choir Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 16-17 — Academic and Creative Excellence (ACE) Festival 2025. The campus-wide conference, which provides space to showcase academic and artistic achievements and engage in interdisciplinary conversation and learning, returns. David Williams, author of the 2024-25 EMU Common Read When the English Fall, serves as keynote speaker at 10:15 a.m. on April 16 in Lehman Auditorium. View a full schedule of ACE Festival events here: emu.edu/ace

April 17 — Senior Show 2 (during ACE Festival). Come see the final art projects of the second group of senior VaCA students. 4-5 p.m., Margaret Martin Gehman Gallery.

April 17 — Music Student Spring Recital II. 12:10 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 23 — Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 25 — Concerto/Aria Concert. 7 p.m., Lehman Auditorium.

April 26-27 — Spring Concerts featuring all performing choirs of the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir (SVCC). 7 p.m., April 26; 4 p.m., April 27. Lehman Auditorium.

The 107th University Commencement is from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Commencement for the EMU Lancaster campus is Friday, May 9, 2025.

More information

Arts at EMU To learn more about music, theater, and visual and communication arts at EMU, visit www.emu.edu/arts.

Center for Interfaith Engagement The Center for Interfaith Engagement (CIE) at Eastern Mennonite University promotes collaboration among religious and nonreligious scholars and practitioners, provides education in our principles and practices, and creates a safe space for developing authentic relationships and mutual understanding both between and within communities. CIE partners with people and organizations for interfaith education and service to promote a more just and peaceful world.

Suter Science Seminars Each year, a variety of expert scientists visit EMU’s campus to share their insights. Refreshments provided.

University Chapel A community gathering place for worship and forum, chapel reflects an Anabaptist/Mennonite perspective alongside the gifts, traditions and cultures of the broader Christian faith. Faith, hope and love are nurtured in the way of Jesus. Faculty, staff, students, and community members are invited to gather every other Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. for campus worship in Martin Chapel. A student-led song, prayer and worship service is held most Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. in University Commons Room 177 (Old Common Grounds). Podcasts available.

Writers Read and Spanish Language Film Series events sponsored by the language and literature department. Writers Read features authors who read from and comment on their work; refreshments are provided. Spanish language films will have English subtitles; introductions and student-led discussions are in English.