Family & Supporters Weekend

Join us for a special behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind Forgottonia – An Intimate Portrait of Rural America. In this educational session, award-winning rural photographer Tim Schroll will be joined by nationally recognized singer-songwriter Chris Vallillo to share how their collaborative artistry brings this powerful multimedia performance to life.

Blending historically grounded narratives, personal storytelling, evocative black-and-white photography, and original music, Forgottonia captures the spirit and slow transformation of rural Illinois. Schroll will share the inspiration, research, and visual artistry behind his work, while Vallillo offers a sneak peek into the musical elements that elevate the performance—giving attendees a rare glimpse into how music and imagery interact to evoke emotion, memory, and meaning.

Together, they’ll discuss the alchemy that occurs when Chris’s music meets Tim’s photography, and how that intersection becomes an act of cultural preservation and artistic expression. Whether you're a fan of photography, music, history, or storytelling, this session will invite you to engage more deeply with themes of memory, place, and belonging at the center of Forgottonia.

This event is free and open to the public.

Briggs Library has tons of fun board games available to play like Ticket To Ride, Settlers of Catan, Carcassonne, Risk, Pandemic, Throw Throw Burrito, and Telestrations. A giant Jenga tower and Twister mats will also on-hand.

A Magic the Gathering draft event starts at 6:30pm. Laser Tag takes place on the lower level at 7:00pm. Improv starts at 9:30pm.

You are invited to Pancakes on the Prairie! Join MCSA for a flippin' good time supporting a good cause! This is a ticketed event; please purchase tickets in advance or at the door for $16—all prices include a donation to the UMM Basic Needs Fund and a $2 process fee.

For other questions or concerns, contact ummmcsa@morris.umn.edu

HOME GAME — Women's Soccer vs University of Wisconsin – Superior

HOME GAME — Men's Soccer vs University of Wisconsin – Superior

Chris Vallillo presents: Forgottonia — An Intimate Portrait of Rural America

Join award-winning singer-songwriter, folklorist, and former archaeologist Chris Vallillo for Forgottonia—a powerful and poignant theatrical journey into the heart of rural Illinois. This multi-media production weaves together 35 years of Vallillo’s original music with vivid storytelling and striking black-and-white photography by renowned rural photographer Tim Schroll, creating a compelling and intimate portrait of West Central Illinois.

Named after the tongue-in-cheek 1972 protest in which sixteen counties declared themselves the independent nation of "Forgottonia" to draw attention to regional neglect, this show explores the culture, history, and resilience of a place both overlooked and deeply loved. “The plan was to secede, declare war on the U.S., surrender immediately, and apply for foreign aid,” Vallillo recounts. “It was nothing but political theater—but it worked.”

With masterful fingerstyle and slide guitar, Vallillo’s performance is steeped in authenticity and deep respect for rural traditions, yet never feels confined by the past. Accompanied by mandolinist Don Steirnberg and bassist Marc Edelstein, Forgottonia brings to life the voices and stories of a vanishing era, offering a soulful celebration of community, identity, and the land that shaped them. Whether you’re a native Midwesterner or simply curious about the spirit of America’s heartland, Forgottonia is a must-see tribute to the power of place and the people who call it home.

This event is brought to you by the Campus Activities Council Performing Arts Series.