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Things to do at NU: April 10 to 16

Our picks this week help you explore your own backyard with Expo Chicago, softball and more.
A Northwestern softball player hits a ball
Our picks this week include Northwestern softball as the Wildcats take on Maryland in a three-game home series this weekend.

It might be hard to top Monday's solar eclipse, but we have some events lined up that will help you take advantage of this warm weather and sunshine.

The hidden world of infrastructure

Our infrastructural systems are what make our lives as we know them possible, facilitating our access to water, electricity, transportation and communications. Author and Olin College Professor Deb Chachra leads an interactive walking tour, followed by a lecture, exploring how infrastructure works and the ways we interact with it.

Chachra hosts a walking tour at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 11, beginning in the lobby of the Ford Motor Company Design Engineering Building, 2133 Sheridan Road, Evanston. The lecture is at 2:30 p.m. in the same building, in room 1-350. Register for one or both of the events here. 

Northwestern at Expo Chicago

Two Northwestern art theory and practice professors are showing work at this year’s EXPO CHICAGO. On Saturday, there will be a free screening of “Haunting the West,” which spotlights Michael Rakowitz’s work, followed by a conversation with the artist. Additionally, Brendan Fernandes’ work “New Monuments | Chicago” will be on display in Grant Park during the expo, with a free public performance on Friday.

Fernandes’ work will be on display during public hours April 10-13 at Grant Park’s General John Alexander Logan Monument, 337 E. Randolph St., Chicago. His performance is at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 12, also at the monument. The film screening and conversation with Rakowitz is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at the Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., Chicago. RSVP here.

Softball vs. Maryland

Catch Northwestern softball, hot off last weekend’s success against Michigan, as they take on Maryland in a three-game series. The team’s sweep last weekend extended the Wildcats’ home winning streak to 33 consecutive games at Drysdale Field, the longest active streak in Division I.

Games begin at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 12; 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 13; and noon on Sunday, April 14, at Sharon J. Drysdale Field, 1501 Central St., Evanston. Get tickets now.

Performances from emerging local artists

Jake Gatsby, a Filipino-American rapper/songwriter, and Paolo Apuli, a Filipino-American blues/pop artist, come to campus this weekend as part of this year’s One Book One Northwestern programming. The artists will be in conversation about their musical journeys and will each perform a live set.

The event starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 12, in Room 208, Deering Library, 1937 Sheridan Road, Evanston. This event is free, but registration is required.

Take in some contemporary art

Tuesday is Northwestern Night at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), located just steps from the Chicago campus. Enjoy the museum’s current offerings as well as tours and a commemorative item giveaway.

The event runs from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, at the MCA, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. Entry is free for Northwestern affiliates when they present their Wildcard at the ticketing counter, and they are allowed to bring one non-Northwestern affiliate for free.