Czech Language Foundation banquet features silent auction, speaker

Bob Hall, the artistic director of the Flatwater Shakespeare Company, will speak at the Czech Language Foundation's annual banquet March 30 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The banquet is at the Nebraska Union Ballroom, 1400 R St. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.; dinner is at 6.

Hall will speak about the career of Tom Stoppard, a British playwright of Czech origin. He will explore Stoppard's skillful incorporation of pop culture, wit and elegance into his writing. Hall will reference his own experiences directing Stoppard's "The Real Thing," and will also discuss Stoppard's most famous works, "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead," and "Shakespeare in Love," as well as Stoppard's involvement in Czech politics.

The foundation will also conduct a silent auction and there will be a drawing to determine the winner of the tongue-in-cheek "How Not to Win a Goat" fund-raiser.

Founded in 1993, the foundation has been instrumental in keeping Czech language classes available at UNL. In August 2007, it sponsored the commemoration of the 100th year of continuous Czech language instruction at the UNL. Because Czech heritage and culture continues to thrive in Nebraska, the foundation continues to raise money to ensure that these classes are available. In 2004, the it implemented the Czech Language Foundation Scholarship Partnering Program, which provides scholarships for students of all Czech language levels.

The banquet is open to the public. Tickets are $30 for adults, $18 for students, and reservations are required. Tickets can be purchased from Jeanette Pribyl Smith (402) 489-1908, or Trudy Stastny (402) 339-7551. The Czech Language Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. The adult ticket price includes $18 for the meal and $12 as a donation to the Czech Language Foundation.