Valentine verses: People can’t have enough of silly love songs
   Love songs have been an essential part of our lives for as long as we’ve recorded our history, according to Alan Raines, director of choral activities at Georgia State University. He points to the biblical Song of Solomon as just one example. “Written text combined with music is the ultimate form of praise and/or worship in a tradition that goes back into the ages,” says Raines. “Not just in the fine arts, but in all areas of life, man feels a need to express his innermost thoughts or feelings of affection, not just for another person, but also for various aspects of the world around.” For more about love songs and how they play into our lives, contact Raines at 404/651-1732 or araines@gsu.edu.

Relationship expert: Couples who work together may stay together
   Couples who spend little time together are often doomed to failure, but can too much time together – sharing a workplace, for example -- also be a relationship killer? Working in the same environment can actually strengthen a pair’s bond and cut down on some of the financial and emotional strains facing twosomes who often travel long distances to different jobs, says Makungu Akinyela, an assistant professor of African-American studies at Georgia State University. “It’s the day-to-day hassles that create so much stress for couples, especially for those where both partners work outside the home,” says Akinyela, a licensed marriage and family therapist. But even those couples who share the same work environment should make an effort to communicate during the day, he says. “It’s the pairs who stay in contact throughout the day, doing things like getting together for lunch or calling each other, that do the best. When you’re living and working together it can enhance your relationship, but like anything, you’ve got to work at it.” Contact him at 404/651-4948 or makinyela@gsu.edu.

Happening at Georgia State University:

New-music ensemble continues 10th season
   Atlanta new-music ensemble neoPhonia continues its 10th anniversary season at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Georgia State University’s Kopleff Recital Hall (corner of Peachtree Center Avenue and Gilmer Street). Under the artistic direction of Nickitas J. Demos, coordinator of composition at Georgia State, the program, “Red Clay Connections,” features works by local and Atlanta-affiliated composers, including Zack Browning, Demos and others. Admission is free. For more information, contact Helene Erenberg at 404/651-1326 or herenberg@gsu.edu.

Guitarist Paco Pena performs at Rialto
   Paco Pena, considered one of the world's greatest flamenco guitarists, returns with a new program, “Flamenco in Concert,” at 8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Georgia State University’s Rialto Center for the Performing Arts. Highlighting the power and passion of southern Spain’s song, dance and music, this program features four guitarists, one singer and two flamenco dancers. Pena's career spans four decades during which he has toured the world, appearing in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to London's Royal Albert Hall. Tickets range from $32-$56 and are available at the Rialto Box Office, by phone at 404/651-4727, or on the Web at www.rialtocenter.org.

Sankofa African-American Museum on Wheels to visit campus
   In celebration of Black History Month, Georgia State University’s Office of Student Life and Leadership/Intercultural Relations, in collaboration with Georgia State’s NAACP chapter, will present the Sankofa African-American Museum on Wheels, on display from noon to 8 p.m. Feb. 15 and noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 16 in the Student Center’s House/Senate Salon (corner of Courtland and Gilmer streets). The traveling museum features artifacts from 1860 to the present and includes a display of inventions by African-Americans. Angela W. Jennings, founder and curator of the project, will present stories and dramatizations about selected periods and historical figures featured in the exhibit. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 404/463-9031.

Georgia State Leads is a biweekly e-mail publication from the Department of University Relations. For more information about the publication or to sign up to receive Georgia State Leads, contact Beth Flannigan at 404/651-3576 or bflannigan@gsu.edu.

Don't see what you're looking for? Call University Relations at 404/651-3025 for fast access to faculty experts and university news. After hours and on weekends, contact Betsy Robertson, assistant director, via pager at 404/655-3456.

©2003 Georgia State University