Farewell frost!
October 30, 2024
Whether fall in Chicago has you in a pensive mood or ready to hop an international flight, here’s what to add to your calendar this week.
Roll up your sleeve
Help bolster the U.S. blood supply during “The We Give Blood Drive.” The Big Ten school that sees the most students, alumni and fans donate during the drive will receive $1 million to advance student or community health.
Northwestern hosts a blood drive event starting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Wilson Field, Ryan Fieldhouse at Walter Athletics Center, 2255 N. Campus Drive, Evanston. Register here.
Dreaming of international travel?
Stop by the annual study abroad fair to learn about the different credit-bearing study abroad programs offered at Northwestern. Program providers, Global Learning Office advisers and student ambassadors will be available to offer information and answer questions about where your passport can take you.
The fair is at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 23, in the Louis Room, Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive, Evanston.
Scintillating satire
Artist Federico Solmi comes to The Block Museum of Art for the exhibition keynote of “Federico Solmi: The Great Farce.” Solmi will be in conversation with Northwestern’s Özge Samanci, an associate professor in the School of Communication and Keyman Modern Turkish Studies Program faculty board member. Their conversation will be moderated by Janet Dees, Steven and Lisa Munster Tananbaum Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art.
The keynote is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at The Block Museum, 40 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. Register here.
Past and future
Robert Taylor conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble in his first concert as Northwestern’s director of bands. The eclectic program, which honors past traditions and explores future intentions, features vocalist, composer and educator Shruti Ramani in “Tarot,” a mix of Indian raga, jazz and contemporary concert music.
The concert is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston. Buy tickets here.
Turning pages
In solitary confinement, a teenaged Reginald Dwayne Betts received a copy of Dudley Randall’s “The Black Poets.” Reading those pages began his transformation into a poet, lawyer and promoter of the rights of prisoners. Betts explores the experience and lingering consequences of having a criminal record in “Felon: An American Washi Tale.” Stay after each performance for a post-show conversation featuring Betts and Northwestern justice advocates.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Wirtz Center Theater, Abbott Hall, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. Buy tickets here.
Family on film
School of Communication professor Kyle Henry’s “Time Passages” makes its Midwest debut at the Chicago International Film Festival this weekend. Henry’s film explores his relationship with his mother, Elaine, as they navigate both her late-stage dementia and the early days of the pandemic. Henry’s innovative approach combines everything from home videos to stop-motion animation to tell the story.
The screening is at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St., Chicago. Purchase tickets here.
