The Stoop Storytelling Series in partnership with the Horizon Foundation will present “On Purpose: Stories about living in line with your unique values” on Thursday, June 20th at the Howard Community College’s Smith Theatre. The stories can be funny, sad, and serious— as long as they’re true.

Join Speak(easy) Howard and the Columbia Festival of the Arts for special screening of End Game, a short film that weaves together three stories of visionary medical providers who practice on the cutting edge of life and death, helping to change the way we think about both: the palliative care team at UCSF Medical Center, the most sophisticated acute care hospital in Northern California; Zen Hospice Project, a Buddhist-inspired end-of-life residence in a classic San Francisco Victorian; and B.J. Miller, M.D., a physician who understands suffering first-hand (he lost three limbs in an accident when he was 19) and who has worked with both UCSF and Zen Hospice. For most people, the very words “hospice” and “palliative care” are nonstarters—code words for giving up. This core group of caregivers in San Francisco sees it differently. They are dedicated to relieving suffering, and to changing the way we think about—and make choices about—how we live our lives as we near life’s end. Their commitment is vividly embodied in their interactions with their terminally ill patients. These intimate and often highly charged emotional moments—with caregivers, patients, and patients’ families and loved ones—are at the heart of End Game.  Q&A session immediately following the Film.

Enter the magical world of David Dimitri. Lauded “Lord of the Wire” by New York Times, this world famous high wire dancer and veteran of Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus epitomizes innovation as he alone performs an entire circus.

Creating what he calls “a unique magic” in the intimate setting of a one-of-a-kind tent, his L’homme Cirque balances dramatic feats like high wire flips and a human cannon launch with humor, poetry, and serenades on the accordion.

It’s as gripping as it is charming—and with grand flourish, be awestruck as he exits the tent on his high wire, crossing above at 150 feet “and into the sky.”

In a span of two decades, eleven recordings and countless stage performances, vocalist René Marie has cemented her reputation not only as a singer but also a composer, arranger, theatrical performer and teacher.

Enter the magical world of David Dimitri. Lauded “Lord of the Wire” by New York Times, this world famous high wire dancer and veteran of Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus epitomizes innovation as he alone performs an entire circus.

Creating what he calls “a unique magic” in the intimate setting of a one-of-a-kind tent, his L’homme Cirque balances dramatic feats like high wire flips and a human cannon launch with humor, poetry, and serenades on the accordion.

It’s as gripping as it is charming—and with grand flourish, be awestruck as he exits the tent on his high wire, crossing above at 150 feet “and into the sky.”

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of scrumptious food crafted by the talented team at Cured Table and Tap, live jazz, and a silent auction.

Mae A. Beale, Honorary Chair

Enter the magical world of David Dimitri. Lauded “Lord of the Wire” by New York Times, this world famous high wire dancer and veteran of Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus epitomizes innovation as he alone performs an entire circus.

Creating what he calls “a unique magic” in the intimate setting of a one-of-a-kind tent, his L’homme Cirque balances dramatic feats like high wire flips and a human cannon launch with humor, poetry, and serenades on the accordion.

It’s as gripping as it is charming—and with grand flourish, be awestruck as he exits the tent on his high wire, crossing above at 150 feet “and into the sky.”

If you’re immortal, stop reading now. Everybody else, come out for a different kind of comedy show that brings humor to the serious moments of life, and death. The Second City, as Chicago’s legendary sketch and improve comedy theater and in partnership with Speak(easy) Howard, presents The Cure for The Common Comedy.

Enter the magical world of David Dimitri. Lauded “Lord of the Wire” by New York Times, this world famous high wire dancer and veteran of Cirque du Soleil and Big Apple Circus epitomizes innovation as he alone performs an entire circus.

Creating what he calls “a unique magic” in the intimate setting of a one-of-a-kind tent, his L’homme Cirque balances dramatic feats like high wire flips and a human cannon launch with humor, poetry, and serenades on the accordion.

It’s as gripping as it is charming—and with grand flourish, be awestruck as he exits the tent on his high wire, crossing above at 150 feet “and into the sky.”

The National Public Radio hit series Selected Shorts takes the stage at the Columbia Festival of the Arts as part of the Speak(easy) Howard series. Spellbinding short stories by established and emerging writers take on a new life when they are performed by stars of the stage and screen. Experience the series live as host Sam Underwood, along with Valorie Curry and Atandwa Kani, present stories that show us how to share our wishes, love our tribe, and live our best life. Join us for an evening of theatrical tales that teach us it’s never too late (or early) to seize the day.

Selected Shorts is produced by Symphony Space in New York City and broadcast on more than 150 stations around the country. The Selected Shorts podcast consistently ranks as one of the most popular podcasts on iTunes, with over 100,000 downloads every week. The series began in 1985 and enjoys sold-out performances to this day. Selected Shorts was conceived with a simple premise: take great stories by well-known and emerging writers and have them performed by terrific actors. Each Selected Shorts is a unique night of literature in performance.

About The Host

Sam Underwood’s television credits include recurring roles on Showtime’s Dexter and Homeland, Fox’s The Following, Power on STARZ, AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, the film adaptation of the musical Hello Again, and most recently as Adam Carrington on the reboot of Dynasty. He is the founder and artistic director of New York’s Fundamental Theater Project, with which he produced and starred in One Day When We Were Young by Nick Payne with Valorie Curry at the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His New York theater credits include Candida at The Irish Repertory Theatre, The Picture of Dorian Gray at The Pershing Square Signature Theatre, and Equus at John Drew Theater at Guild Hall, in which he starred opposite Alec Baldwin. Underwood is Creative Director of Initiative Productions, with which he has produced and starred in the short film Ophelia and his one-man show, Losing Days. He recently appeared in the musical film Hello Again.

Fueled by artistic expression and limited only by their runtime, short films transcend traditional storytelling. They are a significant and popular way artists can connect with audiences. From documentary to animation, narrative to experimental, the abbreviated form is made for risk-taking. The Festival has always treated short films with the highest regard and gives a home to both established and new filmmakers with shorts for audiences to discover and celebrate.

Tickets for the 2019 Columbia Film Festival are available as part of Columbia Festival of the Arts. For Columbia Film Festival you can purchase Full Festival Passes for TBD Which includes unlimited access to all screenings, discussion panels, Film Festival events and VIP receptions. Alternatively, tickets may be purchased for individual screenings or events. .

Tickets for the 2019 Columbia Film Festival are available as part of Columbia Festival of the Arts. For Columbia Film Festival you can purchase Full Festival Passes for TBD Which includes unlimited access to all screenings, discussion panels, Film Festival events and VIP receptions. Alternatively, tickets may be purchased for individual screenings or events. .

Tickets for the 2019 Columbia Film Festival are available as part of Columbia Festival of the Arts. For Columbia Film Festival you can purchase Full Festival Passes for TBD Which includes unlimited access to all screenings, discussion panels, Film Festival events and VIP receptions. Alternatively, tickets may be purchased for individual screenings or events. .

Sprout Films returns to the Columbia Festival of the Arts for an evening of poignant, beautiful, humorous and thought provoking short films featuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Soulful Symphony takes the stage June 29 with #soulfulsetlist. Continuing its mission of exploring the rich diversity of American Roots Music, Soulful Symphony captures the magic and wonder of one of the most iconic stages in the country with a mash-up of American anthems covering every conceivable style and genre – original orchestral arrangements, magnificent vocal performances and spectacular dancing. It’s the ultimate Remix. This is what makes Soulful Symphony unlike any orchestral ensemble in the world.

As part of the lead up to #Soulfulsetlist, fans will be able to vote on songs to be included in the #Soulfulsetlist program, taking Soulful’s radically inclusive approach to new levels. More details will be announced soon about the fan voting component, but the message is clear: #Soulfulsetlisthas something for everyone.

Join in saluting the founding of the Columbia Film Society and HoCoPoLitSo with an afternoon that celebrates the education of girls, the beauty of story, and the power of collective action. This joint anniversary event features a talk by one of the writers of Girl Rising and a showing of the documentary film that inspired global awareness about the importance of education for girls.

Join the Orchestra on June 30, 2019 for a FREE Summer Pops Concert at the Chrysalis on the grounds of Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. The whole family will love classic film scores by John Williams, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, music from Good, Bad, and the Ugly and Magnificent Seven, patriotic songs, and the ultimate outdoor classic: The 1812 Overture!

THE CONCERT IS FREE. PLEASE USE THE “PURCHASE TICKETS” BUTTON TO RESERVE YOUR FREE TICKETS.