Date: July 29, 2009
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

Sinai Forum Presented by Purdue North Central 2009 Season

The 56th season of the Sinai Forum Presented by Purdue University North Central will open on Sept. 13 at 3:00 p.m. at Elston Middle School, 317 Detroit Street, in Michigan City. Martin Chalifour, principal concertmaster for the famed Los Angeles Philharmonic, will pay tribute to Forum founder Sylvia Bankoff with a memorial concert.

Martin Chalifour

The 2009 Forum season will include a mix of nationally and internationally known personalities who will examine a wide variety of issues. There will be an analysis of the day's hot topics by a leading television journalist; a preview of what the economy will look like in 2020; insights from an expert who makes complex scientific topics easily understood to explain how the "wonder" of medical science relates to our lives; and an entertainment legend will help us understand how to use our creativity for practical purposes.

John Stossel

The Sept 13 Forum will depart from the usual format when Martin Chalifour presents the Sylvia Bankoff Memorial Concert at 3:00 p.m.

Chalifour delighted the Forum audience several years ago and returns for this one-of-a-kind event to honor the late Sylvia Bankoff. He has performed extensively across the country and around the world. For this event, he will be accompanied on the piano by John Blacklow, who has been hailed nationwide as a brilliant performer.

This program is sponsored by the Bankoff Endowment for the Forum.

On Oct. 4, the Forum will present "An Evening with John Stossel" at 7 p.m in the Elston Middle School Auditorium. The noted ABC News correspondent, co-anchor of "20/20" and author of two national bestsellers is best known for asking questions and getting answers for the American people. His topic will focus on the up-to-the minute questions on people's minds.

Jonathan Rauch

The Oct. 18 program at the Elston Middle School Auditorium will feature Jonathan Rauch, speaking on the topic, "Government in 2020: Bankrupt or Reborn?" A senior writer and columnist fo the "National Review" magazine and correspondent fo "Atlantic Monthly," Rauch has authored several books and a multitude of articles on public policy, culture and economics. He will give the Forum audience a look at what the economy will look like in 2020 and the effects of the effort to come back from the current economic recession.

Robert Krulwich

On Nov. 8, Robert Krulwich will present "Making Medical Science WONDER-ful." Krulwich is known as an expert at explaining complex issues in a clear, compelling and entertaining style. He captivates his audiences while making use of vivid images and unusual examples, such as the time he explained the structure of DNA using a banana. He has been called the most inventive network reporter in television by "T.V. Guide."

The sponsor for this program is the Duneland Health Council.

Twyla Tharp

On Dec. 6, Twyla Tharp, the legendary choreographer, Tony Award winner and best selling author will discuss "Creativity and Risk Taking." Using lessons learned in the performing arts, she will present a practical approach to achievement, including turning ideas into products and notions into realities. Her animated, movement-filled presentation has delighted audiences across the country.

Book signings will follow the programs presented by Stossel, Rauch and Tharp.

New this year, all evening prgrams will begin at 7 p.m. The Sept. 13 concert will begin at 3 p.m.

Subscription tickets are $75 for regular tickets, $125 for donor tickets and $150 for patron tickets.

Subscription tickets may be purchased in person from the PNC Office of Advancement, located in the Technology Building, Room 101 on the Westville campus; Michigan City Public Library, Kabelin Hardware, 512 Andrews Ave., LaPorte and at PNC - Porter County Graduate Center, 600 Vale Park Road, Valparaiso. Subscriptions may be purchased via credit card by calling (219) 785-5697. Any student with a valid ID will be admitted free.

Additional information about the Sinai Forum Presented by Purdue University North Central is available at www.sinaiforum.org.

Publication-quality photos are available for download - http://www.pnc.edu/cd/news/newsphotos/forum2009.html.

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