MOBILE, Ala. – The University of Mobile announces the return of a UM tradition – The Boar’s Head Festival – with two performances of the medieval-themed Christmas celebration set for Dec. 6 and 7.
Tickets are on sale now for the two-night event held at the Lonnie and Lynne Burnett Event Center on the UM campus. Reserved seats are $55 each and include dinner and a musical and theatrical performance that begins at 6 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit umobile.edu/boars-head.
A Beloved Tradition Returns
The Boar’s Head Festival recreates an era of grandeur and tradition with a themed dinner and entertainment from the Alabama School of the Arts. Students dressed in medieval costumes will sing madrigal songs and present a short performance of “The Second Shepherd’s Play” as the audience enjoys dinner.
The Boar’s Head Festival was performed annually from 1971 to 2000 under the direction of music professor Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt. Since then, alumni have gathered for Boar’s Head reunions and to remember the beloved professor who brought the celebration to UM, then called Mobile College.
A Medieval Tale
The Boar’s Head ceremony is associated with the 14th-century myth of an Oxford student who was attacked by a wild boar. The student killed the boar by choking it with a book of philosophy and took the boar’s head back to the college that evening for a feast, symbolizing the death of sin and the coming of the Christ child.
“The Boar’s Head Festival was such a beloved tradition here for so many years; we are thrilled to be bringing it back for a one-year celebration,” said Jenna Goodwin, artistic director and executive director of administration and production for the Alabama School of the Arts. “What a joy to be looking back on programs from the 1980s and 1990s as we build and craft this year’s festival to mimic tradition and offer a fresh approach to the evening.”
“The Alabama School of the Arts continues to grow and flourish because of the many musicians who paved the way many years ago under Dr. Kenneth Bergdolt, followed by Dr. Roger Breland and Dr. Al Miller’s leadership,” she added.
Coming Soon
Learn more about upcoming performances by the Alabama School of the Arts and purchase tickets at umobile.edu/asotaseason.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu/um-info, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.