Curb Visiting Scholar in the Arts Isabel González Whitaker put together and moderated an event on campus March 27 focusing on Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s influence on music and culture, particularly in the South. “Beyoncé’s history and legacy is deeply rooted in the South, and I think that aspect of her makes her all the more interesting and complicated as a star, artist, and culture-maker,” says González Whitaker.

From the attorneys who negotiate the label deals to the marketers who help propel artists through brand relationships, from the PR talents who help shape an artist’s narrative to the journalists covering every aspect of the business, fellows of Rhodes’ Mike Curb Institute for Music recently got to experience firsthand the inner workings of the entertainment business in New York City.

She is former features editor of InStyle magazine and deputy editor of Billboard magazine, and over her career, she has created and managed content for various media platforms including online, mobile, and video.

This year, multiple films by Rhodes students and alumni were featured at the Indie Memphis Film Festival, held Nov. 1-5. Sarah Link ’19 and Emily Burkhead ’20 had their documentary The Audubon Sessions Presents: Marco Pavé shown at the festival Nov. 2.

Rhodes College and the Mike Curb Institute for Music hosted Rhodes Jazz Night at The Levitt Shell on Sept. 15 as part of Family Weekend celebrations. The annual event featured acts like legendary Memphis jazz vocalist Joyce Cobb, the Rhodes Faculty Players, the Rhodes Jazz Band, and the Stax Academy Jazz Ensemble.