The huge theater adorned in beautiful red hues and wood captivate me as I walk down the aisle. I sit in one of the soft seats and wait for the show to begin.

The Pierce College theater, with a 730-person capacity, is one of two theatres on the American College of Greece campus. The other, a black box theatre with moveable seats and set in the Communication building, has a capacity of around 250 people.

The College holds a host of cultural events every year: ballets and other dance performances, concerts, film previews, plays. Several concerts are scheduled for this November and December (see below for details).

“We always try to organize quality events and we expect students to attend,” said Molly Psilou, assistant director of cultural events. She said the events, always open to the public, are held for the benefit of the wider community and to promote the arts. Announcements are posted not just around campus, but also at the square in Aghia Paraskevi. Most events are free, but if tickets are required, they can be purchased at the main gate of the College. Parking is always free.

The events require considerable preparation – sometimes months – and attention to detail. The people in the office of cultural events have to book the artists, find out when the theater is free, make sure the sound, lighting, sets and musical instruments are ready on the night, send out announcements – the list goes on.

” Deree College has invited many famous artists to perform, such as Haris Alexiou, Theodorakis, the Katsimiha brothers and Kotsiras,” said Psilou.

The College ensures that the shows go on. All the students have to do is gather their friends and take their seats.

Cultural Events Program for November and December

NOVEMBER

Friday, November 5, 8:30p.m

concert

Music for instruments and live electronics

A mixture of classical pieces and newer works for flute,saxophone and computer, featuring thevirtuosi Kathrin Zenz(flute) and Joe Tornabene(saxophone).

Musical direction and live electronics, Tim Ward.

Works by Reich, Saariaho, Stockhausen, Ward, Adamis and Harvey.

Studio theater

Admission Free

Friday, November 12, 8:30p.m

Athens 2004-choral Olympiad

Artistic director: Thrassivoulos Kavvouras

Organized by the Municipality of Aghia Paraskevi in collaboration with the International Choral Festival of Athens

Pierce College theater

Admission Free

Monday, November 15, 2:00p.m

Afternoon Concert Series

Piano-flute concert

Liana Papastefanou, piano/ Manolis Papasifakis, flute

Works by Telemann, Dvorak, Rota

Deree College Library

Admission Free

Saturday, November 20, 8:30p.m

Plaza Quintet

A concert dedicated to Manos Hadjidakis

Akis Archondis, violin

Athanasios Bililis, piano

Kostas Tsougras, accordion

Yiannis Polymeneris, contrabass

Dimitris Adjemis, mandoline

Manolis Hatzimanolis, vocals

Studio theater

Admission: 10 euro s

DECEMBER

Friday, December 3, Saturday 4, 8:3p.m

Ballet performance

An evening dedicated to the famous choreographer Michael Fokine

with soloists from renowned

Russian ballet theaters

Pierce College Theater

Admission:20 euros / students: 15 euros

Thursday, December 9, 6:00p.m

Christmas celebration

Music and songs in the Christmas spirit

performed by members of the Deree College music society

Musical supervisor: Tatiana Papageorgiou

Musical Director: D. Toufexis

Pierce College theater

Admission Free