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LIFE/Elderhostel

September Classes

Two Session Class

Fridays, September 11 and 18, 2009

Great Egyptian Discoveries and Life & Times of Thor  Heyerdahl

Presenter: Dr. Donald Ryan: Archaeologist/Egyptologist

Location:   Garfield Book Co./Community Room

Time:    10:30 am

Class Fee: Both classes:  $15               One class:       $10

Class Coordinator:  Gene Giannobile, dgg2504@comcast.net, 531-9037

Great Discoveries in Egyptian Archaeology  (Sept 11)

Ever since the archaeological exploration of Egypt began about 200 years ago, there has been an almost constant stream  of fascinating discoveries, some of which are hardly known by the public. This presentation will address some of these discoveries through a brief historical survey of Egyptian archaeology.

The Life and Times of Thor Heyerdahl  (Sept 18)

Thor Heyerdahl is considered one of the great explorers of the 20th century and was a national hero in his homeland, Norway. He is best known for his expeditions, including the famed "Kon-Tiki" voyage , and his archaeological work in such places as Easter Island, Peru, and the Canary Island. Dr. Ryan's presentation will provide an overview of Heyerdahl's life and work.

Dr. Donald Ryan is director of the PLU Valley of the Kings Project in Egypt and also worked closely with Heyerdahl for seven years. His areas of interest include.

Archaeology of the Bible, Polynesian archaeology, and ancient languages  and scripts. In Egypt he discovered lost tombs and controversial mummies.  While working with the late Thor Heyerdahl they excavated the mysterious pyramids of Guimar on the Canary Islands. He is a former professional mountain guide and continues to climb regularly. (Note: His work in Egypt is mentioned in the  April 2009 issue of National Geographic , pg.105.)

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Percussions: An Array of Sounds

Presenter:  Amy Putnam, UPS Professor and Percussionist

Location: University of Puget Sound/Room L1/School of Music

Time:  10:30 am

Coordinator:  Marilee Titus, matitus@comcast.net

Percussionist Amy Putnam will speak to the various types of percussion instruments and will perform on the marimba. This class will open up new horizons for you on the topic of percussion instruments. There are various categories of percussions-idiophone (bells, chime), membranophone known as drums and marimba, and aerophone (siren, whip crack), chordophone (dulcimer, harpsichord). As one can tell, there is a lot to learn about percussion.

Ms. Amy Putnam is the principal percussionist with the Tacoma Symphony and the Bellevue Philharmonic. As a percussionist and timpanist she has performed with the Seattle Symphony, NW Sinfonietta, and a wide variety of other venues.

She is active recording film and TV scores for Disney, DreamWorks, A&E, to name just a few. She is a marimba and multi-percussion soloist. She founded her own business in 1988, Putnam Mallets. Ms. Putnam holds a BMus in Education  from Miami U/Ohio and a Prix Superieur Diploma  from Musique de la Ville du Luxembourg.