P.J. O'Rourke Kicks Off Open VISIONS Forum, Sept. 22
Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts presents an exciting lineup of Open VISIONS Forum (OVF) speakers for the 2016-2017 season. OVF is the University’s signature town hall-style lecture series that brings artists, scientists, trendsetters, authors, policy-makers and thought leaders to the Fairfield campus.
“We encourage everybody's participation,” said Philip Eliasoph, PhD, director of the Open VISIONS Forum. “Listen, ask questions, discuss the outcomes in the lobby with friends and neighbors. With speakers representing every segment of the political and cultural landscape, there's plenty of stimulation to feed the 'life of the mind.'” 
The season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 22 as the iconoclastic master of political parody, directs his wickedly sharp satire at what promises to be a rollicking presidential campaign. His taunting takes on the American electoral process, and an election cycle that is equal parts horror and humor, with trademark razor-sharp satire.
Launching his career in the early days of National Lampoon , O’Rourke’s contrarian views became a staple in legacy publications like Playboy , Vanity Fair and Rolling Stone . Armed with a provocatively anti-establishment outlook and professed ‘damn them all’ Libertarian philosophy, he has published 16 books, including three New York Times bestsellers. He is a regular guest on Bill Maher’s Real Time , and NPR’s Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me! , and 60 Minutes has dubbed O’Rourke one of the “most often quoted” humorists alive.
With more than one million words of trenchant journalism under his byline and more citations in The Penguin Dictionary of Humorous Quotations than any living writer, P. J. O’Rourke has established himself as America’s premier political satirist. Both TIME and The Wall Street Journal have labeled him “the funniest writer in America.” He is the best-selling author of 16 books, including Parliament of Whores, Republican Party Reptile, Holidays in Hell, Holidays in Heck, Eat the Rich, and Don’t Vote—It Just Encourages the Bastards . O’Rourke’s latest book, Thrown Under the Omnibus , was released November 2015.
O’Rourke now writes a weekly column at The Daily Beast titled Up To a Point… , offering his classic wit and insight on today’s current events—from politics to pop culture. He is also a contributing editor at The Weekly Standard and writes a regular column for Stansberry Research, an investment newsletter company.
- Wednesday, October 5, 2016, 8 P.M.
Notable columnist Robert George gives insight on the GOP in the midst of changing political landscape.
Open VISIONS Forum: Espresso
The Wien Experimental Theatre at the Quick
This event is FREE but registration through the Box Office is required.
- Thursday, October 20, 2016, 8 P.M.
11 th Annual Student Forum
Open VISIONS Forum
As the election draws near, join us for an evening of political banter and argumentation with Hoover & Avlon.
- Friday, October 28, 2016, 8 P.M.
Open VISIONS Forum
Celebrate the Grateful Dead, America’s greatest road band with a musical performance and rock-inspired conversation.
- Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 8 P.M.
Open VISIONS Forum, The 19th Annual Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lectureship, in Affiliation with the Carl & Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies
An exemplar of public service, Timothy Shriver joins us to discuss his work for the Special Olympics.
- Monday, January 30, 2017, 8:00 P.M.
Open VISIONS Forum
Blake returns to Fairfield to discuss his journey to the U.S. Open and race relations in America. In collaboration with 天美传媒视频无限制观看’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Week
- Wednesday, March 8, 2017, 8:00 P.M.
Open VISIONS Forum
A story of courage, passion, and persistence at great personal risk, Ayaan Hirsi Ali shares her story.
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$35 | $5 天美传媒视频无限制观看 Students
QCA Member Price: $27
For subscription packages and to order tickets, visit or call the Box Office at 203-254-4010 or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396. Events take place at the Quick Center unless otherwise noted.
