Schedule of Events for 2014-2015

Project Dialogue 25th Anniversary Event: An Acoustic Evening with Matisyahu

The 2014-15 academic year marks the 25th anniversary for one of the University Chaplain’s Office’s signature programs, Project Dialogue. Cofounded by our former University Chaplain Rev. Bev Asbury, Project Dialogue seeks to bring critical discussion of hot topics outside the classroom. Over the years, the program has been fortunate enough to bring speakers such as: Sandra Bernhard, Naomi Wolf, Cornel West, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Oliver Sacks, Neil Howe, Scott Turow, Adrienne Outlaw, John Douglas, Gore Vidal, Barbara Ehrenreich, Al Franken, John Ashcroft, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Elie Wiesel.

To celebrate the program’s 25th anniversary, our committee has decided that the celebratory event for this year should be a concert. In looking for someone who uses music as a means to inspire and create critical dialogue, we are proud to be bringing Matisyahu to campus on Tuesday, September 9th. In collaboration with Vanderbilt’s Interfaith Council, and Vanderbilt Hillel, Project Dialogue will host an outdoor, acoustic concert with Matisyahu on the Commons Lawn at 7:30 pm.

Matthew Miller, or more know by his Hebrew and stage name Matisyahu, came on the scene in 2004 and turned heads blending Orthodox Judaism themes with reggae, rock, and hip hop. Over the years, Matiisyahu has brought issues of faith, Middle East relations and other personal topics into his music. In 2006, Matisyahu stated that “All of my songs are influenced and inspired by the teachings that inspire me. I want my music to have meaning, to be able to touch people and make them think. Chasidism teaches that music is ‘the quill of the soul.’ Music taps into a very deep place and speaks to us in a way that regular words can’t.”

This very special event will be held outdoors (weather permitting) and will surely be a great night of music, dialogue, and energy. Tickets are available at the Sarratt Student Center Box Office starting August 18th and will be FREE for students, staff, and faculty when presenting their VU ID, and will be only $10 for the community. Please bring a blanket, and something to eat and drink to enjoy the show. Bags will be checked at the gate when tickets are presented. No alcohol will be permitted.

This event is only possible through the collaborative effort of Project Dialogue, Vanderbilt’s Interfaith Council, and Vanderbilt Hillel. To check out the other wonderful offerings by the Interfaith Council and Hillel, please click their names to visit their web sites.

For more on Matisyahu click on the links below:

http://matisyahuworld.com/

http://www.popmatters.com/review/183580-matisyahu-akeda/