KU alumni singing in opera productions

Several Kansas University music alumni are performing this summer in opera productions across the United States.

Maria Kanyova is playing the heroine Blanche in Francis Poulenc’s “Dialogue of the Carmelites” at Glimmerglass in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Andrew Stuckey is singing the part of Giorgio, the baritone lead, in Guiseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata” at the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico.

Phyllis Pancella is singing the title role in Benjamin Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” at Opera Festival of New Jersey in Princeton, N.J.

Steve Timoner is playing a soldier in Richard Strauss’ “Salome” the Des Moines Metro Opera in Iowa.

Hugo Vera is singing in several concerts at the Tanglewood Festival in Lenox, Mass.

Josh Sarrier and Jeff Beraun are performing at the Utah Festival Opera in Salt Lake City.

Lawrence author elected to post

Lawrence writer Jennifer Lawler was elected co-chair of the book division of the National Writers Union July 21 during its annual delegate assembly in Amherst, Mass.

The National Writers Union has more than 7,200 members who have banded together to improve conditions and benefits for free-lancer writers.

Lawler is author of “Punch! Why Women Participate in Violent Sports” and “Kickboxing for Women.”

Babcock Place plans writing, art events

Babcock Place, 1700 Mass., is sponsoring several events in August.

Among the activities are:

An exhibit of assembled pieces framed by collected window panes created by Lawrence artist Jennifer Unekis, Babcock Place.

“Don’t Throw It Away, It Might Be History,” a talk about cleaning and organizing personal archives by Sheryl Williams, curator of the Kansas Collection at Spencer Research Library, 2 p.m. Aug. 13, Babcock Place.

“The Therapeutic Value of Writing,” a talk by Monteen Lucas, author of “Aging as a Shared Journey,” 2 p.m. Aug. 15, Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

Book making workshop taught by Julie Osborn, a Lawrence artist, 2 p.m. Aug. 21 and 28, Babcock Place.

“Everybody’s Got a Story, Everybody’s Got a History,” a talk about the value of recorded stories and oral history by Lawrence historian Steve Jansen, 10:30 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Douglas County Senior Services, 745 Vt.

Psychic-healer to talk at Unity Temple

Kansas City, Mo. Sonia Choquette, a psychic, teacher and healer, will appear at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Unity Temple of the Plaza, 707 W. 47th St. She will talk about learning how to you use intuition for guidance, protection and direction in uncertain times.

For tickets or more information, call the Cornerstone Foundation, (816) 561-1627.