GAI Germanic-American Institute April 2008

Der Mysteriöse Mord an Dean Reed
A Night of Murder and Intrigue

APRIL GAI MEMBER NIGHT
FRIDAY, APRIL 11

Author Chuck Laszewski and Eagan High School German teacher Gayle Carlson will discuss Laszewski's book, Rock 'n' Roll Radical: The Life and Mysterious Death of Dean Reed during the April GAI Member Night. Reed, an American singer and actor who was idolized by millions around the world (though mostly ignored in his home country) was found dead in a lake in East Berlin in 1986. The East German government labeled it "a tragic accident." Laszewski first heard of Reed when the actor showed one of his films at the University of Minnesota and then was arrested and jailed during the power line protests in 1978. Convinced Reed's death was not an accident, Laszewski enlisted the help of Carlson, his former high school German teacher. Together, they became the first Americans to obtain the Stasi files on Reed and translate them into English.

During their presentation, Laszewski and Carlson will play some of Reed's recordings, do a short reading from the book and then describe how they unraveled Reed's life and death in addition to having books on hand to sell and sign.

Chuck Laszewski was a reporter at the St. Paul Pioneer Press for 25 years. He currently is the communications director for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. Gayle Carlson is the current president of the Minnesota chapter of the American Association of Teachers of German and 2003 - 2004 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. An announcement of the GAI's quarterly financial update will be made after the program. Students who become members of the GAI get a free dinner!

5:30PM Haus & Ratskeller open

6:30PM Dinner Schinkenfleckerln (Austrian noodle dish with ham and sour cream) mit Salat und Apfelstrudel mit Vanillesosse

7:30PM Presentation $11 members, $13 non-members, $3 children