Mark Russell, a political humorist and syndicated columnist best known for his PBS specials, kicks off the 11th Annual Festival of Ideas lecture series at West Virginia University Friday, Feb. 16.
Russell will appear in the Mountainlair Ballrooms at 7:30 p.m.
The theme for this years Festival series is Abraham Lincoln in recognition of the opening of Lincoln Hall, WVU s new residential college.
Coordinated through WVU Arts and Entertainment, the series will explore Lincolns history, influence and legacy. Throughout an eight-week period from February to April, a wide array of experts will come to WVU to discuss why Lincoln matters, examining Lincoln as a politician, historical figure, leader and cultural icon.
Other speakers include novelist, essayist and playwright Gore Vidal and best-selling author, social observer and contributor to public radios This American Life Sarah Vowell.
The annual Festival of Ideas lecture series represents in microcosm the work that we do at WVU every day. The nationally and internationally acclaimed thinkers who will visit our campus over the next two months will share their insights, and inspire thought, reflection and innovation,commented WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr., who brought the series back in 1996-97 after a long hiatus.
We hope these sessions will deepen studentsclassroom learning and spark discussion among classmates and colleagues. Their ideas will help generate new ideas.
I encourage all members of the WVU family and the larger community to attend as many of these lectures as possible,he said.
Russell is famous for performing his stand-up comedy act while accompanying himself on the piano. He has spent 30 years on public television as host of theMark Russell Comedy Specials.
A native of Buffalo, N.Y., he grew up admiring radio comedians, like Fred Allen and Jack Benny, whose humor typically made fun of authority figures. He earned the reputation of class clown in high school later endowing a scholarship in his name to be awarded to the student who showedgreat wisdom and wit, but not necessarily in that order.
After serving in the Marines, Russell found himself singing his satirical songs in the smoke-filled bars of Washington, D.C. Russell began knowing little about politics, but quickly became a hit as he managed to find humor in the days headlines.
Russell took a two-week job at the Shoreham Hotel, which last for 20 years. Politicians in Washington would come to the Marquee Lounge to hear Russells jokes about what they had done that day.
He takes popular songs and rewrites satirical versions. Russell was featured in the Simpson episodeMr. Lisa Goes to Washington,where the character sang three songs in the style of Russells political satires songs.
Russell is frequently asked if he has writers. He typically responds,Oh, yesI have 535 writers, 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives.
Today, his syndicated column is circulated all across America, as are his CDs, tapes and videos. Russell performson the roadmost of the year at colleges, conventions and in theaters.
He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Alison. He has three children and seven grandchildren.
The presentation is free and open to the public; however, seating is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.
More on the Net:http://www.events.wvu.edu/foi/index.shtml.