| |
  |
Chattanooga Times Free Press, February 20, 2009 Barry Courter David Harrison is a scientist first and foremost, but in the last couple of years, he has become an advocate, a media spokesman and a somewhat reluctant celebrity. He's also a real-life Indiana Jones of sorts, who travels the world hunting for and documenting languages. He wants people to understand that the world is home to more than 7,000 languages and is losing them by the dozens almost daily as people stop using them and die off. A film about the work he does, along with partner Greg Anderson, will air Thursday at 10 p.m. on PBS (WTCI-TV 45). Since the release of "The Linguists," Harrison, who graduated from Tennessee Temple High School, has appeared on "The Colbert Report," attended more than half of the 30 film festivals (including Sundance) the movie has been invited to and lectured at about 20 colleges around the country. The languages Harrison and Anderson hunt for are most often found in remote, sometimes volatile, locations. The film showcases the sometimes dangerous and sometimes hilarious situations and the people the duo encounter. "People respond to (the film) well," he said. "It shows the adventure side of what we do, and that helps us bring attention to it." In addition to the screenings, National Geographic Society is providing some funding for their continued work. It has also set up a Web site — languagehotspots.org — that features information about the world's languages, as well as audio clips. Dorothy K. Jones, who worked at the downtown Kress store while the 1960 sit-in demonstrations were going on, will talk about her experiences as a special guest on "Point of View." The show, hosted by Vincent Phipps, will air at 6 a.m. Saturday on WDEF-TV 12. It will be repeated at 9 p.m. Tuesday and Feb. 27 on Comcast channel 3. The sit-ins for equal rights were initiated in Chattanooga by members of Howard High School's Class of 1960. For the first time in its history, the 4 Bridges Arts Festival will charge an admission price to attend, according to a news release from the Association for Visual Arts, which produces the popular event. It will now cost $5 for adults 18 and older to attend each day. Children will not be charged an admission fee. A $5 parking fee also will be charged. The economy, and more specifically a decline in corporate sponsorships, is to blame for the change, according to executive director Christa J. Mannarino. "We understand that some of our loyal supporters have suffered in this weak economy," Mannarino said. "Our goal is to raise the funds we need so Chattanooga's arts community doesn't suffer as well." The 4 Bridges Arts Festival will take place April 18-19 at First Tennessee Pavilion.
|
|