El Camino College’s Center for the Arts Presents Exciting Fall Events
Discover a full schedule of lively performances and special events at El Camino College’s Center for the Arts this fall semester. Review the online calendar and discover an amazing lineup that features a variety of music, dance, choral performances, and theater, along with a prolific guest speaker.
Professional athlete and guest speaker Imani McGee-Stafford will present “Erasing the Stigma” at 1:15 p.m. Nov.7 in Marsee Auditorium. McGee-Stafford is a WNBA player, abuse survivor, mental health advocate, and poet. She is currently a center for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in accounting.
At Texas, she set records by becoming the first UT women’s basketball player to garner over 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 blocks. While her 6-foot-7-inch frame made her presence felt on the court, she made her biggest impact off the court when she chose to speak out about her struggles with mental health and overcoming her abusive childhood on SportsCenter in a segment called “SC Featured: Her Voice.” In college, she stumbled across her life purpose: providing a voice to the silenced. She now takes every opportunity to live in her truth and hopefully provide light to those going through or who have been through the same struggles.
In this speech at El Camino, McGee-Stafford talks about her own struggles with mental health and growing up in an environment that wasn’t the most open to dealing with these types of problems. She encourages audiences to share their own stories and acknowledge how commonplace mental illness and sexual abuse is in their own lives. Admission is free for ECC students, faculty and staff, but tickets are required to enter the venue; $10 for non-ECC students with valid ID and $24 for the general public.
A perennial fall favorite, the Fall Advanced Dance Concert presented by the El Camino College Dance Department is set for 8 p.m. Nov 16 and at 3 p.m. Nov. 17 in Marsee Auditorium. This dance showcase features the choreography of professional guest artist Andrew Pearson, El Camino dance faculty members, and original works from current El Camino choreography students. Many genres of dance will be represented. Warning: This event features theatrical haze, flashing lights and strobe lights. Tickets are $15/$10.
Get ready to join the chorus for this year’s “Messiah Sing-Along,” set for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in Haag Recital Hall. This longtime El Camino tradition packs the house each year, highlighting George Frideric Handel’s venerable “Messiah” masterpiece, composed in just 24 days. Everyone is invited to join the chorus and sing along or sit back and enjoy the concert, which features organ, orchestra and professional soloists. Participants can bring their own score or pick one up at the door. The “Messiah Sing-Along” is directed by Joanna Medawar Nachef, El Camino alumna, professor, and director of choral and orchestral activities. Admission is free! Tickets are not required to enter the venue; seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The El Camino Community College District encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Center for the Arts as soon as possible, but no later than seven days prior to the event.
All tickets are available at www.centerforthearts.org using the online ticketing system or by phone at 310-329-5345. The Ticket Office is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday for walk-up sales, and one hour before all scheduled performances. Campus parking permits are required; a $3 daily parking permit can be purchased on the day of the performance (cash only) or when completing a ticket purchase online, in person, or via telephone. El Camino College is located at 16007 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance.