FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Hertenstein (773) 561-2450 x2089 mikeh@jpusa.pr.mcs.net Ordinary People -- Extraordinary Weekend 1997 CORNERSTONE FESTIVAL PRESENTS "THE IMAGINARIUM" The 14th annual Cornerstone Festival will be held this summer, July 2-6, 1997, at a beautiful campground and lake in Bushnell, Illinois, with the incredible program of music, seminars, and activities that made Cornerstone the fastest-growing and most imitated Christian music and arts festival. THE IMAGINARIUM is a Cornerstone event-within the event, featuring seminars, readings, films and discussions devoted to the intersection of faith and imagination, particularly that crossroads where meet science and fiction, fantasy and myth, with a special emphasis on the point of view of that group of Christians who made this crossroads their home: C.S. Lewis, JRR Tolkien, GK Chesterton, George MacDonald, Charles Williiams, Dorothy Sayers -- otherwise known as the Inklings and friends. For three years at Cornerstone, the Imaginarium has featured monster movies, science fiction, Frank Capra, Star Trek, the X-Files, films from "Jason and the Agronauts" to "The Bride of Frankenstein," the life and work of the Inklings, and a unique atmosphere of discovery and fun. In 1997, the Imaginarium builds on this tradition with a program entitled: FANTASIES, REPLICANTS, IDOLS, ICONS AND IMAGO DEI. Special Guest: Stephen Lawhead, acclaimed storyteller, weaver of fantastic worlds from lost Atlantis and Arthurian traditions, to Celtic lore, Vikings and Saracens. The author of the Dragon King Trilogy, the Pendragon Cycle, the Song of Albion trilogy, and the recent Byzantium, will talk about his life and art in a special "live" interview at the Imaginarium tent, and treat us to a "live" reading of his work. The seminar "Blade Runner 101" will offer participants a crash course on this landmark film whose influences span high and low culture and is regularly cited in the works of postmodern philosophers. Bill Romanowski, professor of communications at Calvin College, and author of 1996 book Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life will lead this seminar series and another, "The Church & 'Worldly Amusements'", a survey of the oft-troubled relationship between religion and the popular arts, with a blueprint for more balanced cultural engagement. "War of the Worldviews: C.S. Lewis Versus H.G. Wells", explores the clash of visions in the science fiction of two pioneers of the genre, in conjunction with an H.G. Wells Film Festival -- a screening of films made from Wells' most popular stories. Dr. Thomas Peters leads this seminar, along with a mini-reprise of last year's popular "Chesterton For Beginners". The 1997 Imaginarium also proudly spotlights a pair of 19th century British fantasy writers who influenced all the initials noted above, especially the ones which stand for "Clive Staples." David Neuhouser of Taylor University examines "The Life, Work, and Influence of George MacDonald, the Scottish poet and novelist who Lewis referred to as his "master." MacDonald's younger contemporary, William Morris (another favorite of Lewis' s), was a Victorian Renaissance man: not only did he found the literary genre handed down to Tolkien and his heirs, but he was also a poet, social critic, political agitator, and artisan. Fellow Renaissance man Steve Scott will utilize the critique of industrialism offered by Morris, and his fellow critic John Ruskin, in the seminar, "William Morris, John Ruskin, and the Information Age." PLUS: new and improved Imaginarium Store featuring new and used books (CSL, GKC, JRRT, sf, etc) along with the requisite rubber chickens, green slime, magic tricks, plastic bugs, and science kits ( "In the Future, All Christian Bookstores Will Look Like This"). In addition to the IMAGINARIUM, the 1997 Cornerstone Festival also features -- MUSIC: Rock, punk, Celtic, blues, jazz, ska, alternative, thrash, rap, folk, Gospel, gothic, techno -- 150 bands on 13 stages, including: Jars of Clay, Rich Mullins, Resurrection Band, Mike Roe, Adam Again, Vigilantes of Love, the Call, Ashley Cleveland, Over the Rhine, Black Eyed Sceva, Five Iron Frenzy, Havalina Rail Co., Iona, Jeff Johnson, Jimmy A, Rick Elias, Living Sacrifice, MxPx, PlankEye, P.O.D., Sarah Masen, Sixpense None the Richer, Stavesacre, O.C. Supertones, Terry Taylor and more SEMINARS: Christian apologetics, New Age movement, Community Development, child evangelism, homosexuality, small groups, engagement, marriage, parenting, teens & sexuality, resisting addictive behavior, poetry and fiction writing, music ministry, and interracial marriage, led by such highly-respected authors and teachers as Phillip Johnson, James Sire, Norm Geisler,Elliot Miller, Bob & Gretchen Passantino, John Perkins,Joe Dallas, Doug Rosenau, Judy-Rae Karlsen, Larry Woiwode, and more. SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Creation Station for kids; Artrageous, visual arts seminars, gallaries, hands-on; Youth Worker's Seminar, "Breakaway," program for hi-schoolers, "On Track," for junior high students. GAMES: 5k race, kids' Goody Gallop, 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball, Adventure Challenge, rock climbing CAMPING: hiking, swimming, fishing, canoe rentals, 120-acre lake with beach and bass ponds. PLUS: 4th of July fireworks, fast food vendors, Poetry Jam, Missions Opportunities, Exhibition Tent with books, records, clothes; evening Coffee House, an Impromptu Stage, hanging out at the Dairy Queen... For up-to-date information, tips for youth groups, ride-sharing board, trip directions, ticket information, check out our web page at http://cornerstone.jesusfreak.com. If you'd like to volunteer at the festival inquire at jmdcstn1@juno.com. To volunteer at the Imaginarium email mikeh@jpusa.pr.mcs.net For festival brochure write: Cornerstone Festival, 920 W. Wilson Ave., Chicago, IL, or call (773) 989-2087. ###