What's happening at Penn State? Here's a look at some of the cultural events — both in-person and virtual — taking place at the University this weekend and next week:
Performances
Pianist Robin Spielberg — March 18, 7:30 p.m., via livestream. Robin Spielberg, a Steinway Artist, will present a virtual concert at Penn State Harrisburg, livestreamed from the at the Mukund S. Kulkarni Theatre.
Events
Women's History Month — Through March 31, various campuses. The University celebrates Women's History Month with events and opportunities running throughout the month of March. Free.
'The Lion King' Broadway cast discussion — March 10-14, virtual platform. The Center for the Performing Arts will host The Broadway Cast Reunion Series “The Lion King,” an opportunity to visit live “backstage” with the cast of the hit musical.
Panel on Black churches in Central Pennsylvania — March 11, 7 p.m., via Zoom. WPSU invites members of the community to take part in a discussion about the roles Black churches play in central Pennsylvania.
Smith Creative Writers Reading Series: Tom Noyes — March 18, 6 p.m., via Zoom. Tom Noyes, director of the Penn State Behrend creative writing program and author of three story collections and a novel, will read from his work.
Distinguished Speaker Series: Actor Sean Astin — March 18, 7 p.m., virtual format. As part of the Penn State Altoona Distinguished Speaker Series, actor Sean Astin will offer a virtual presentation.
Lectures
Inclusive excellence in higher education with Jen Fry — March 15, 7:30 p.m., virtual format. Social justice educator Jen Fry will host a webinar designed for discussion of a variety of ongoing social justice issues, including race, diversity, gender, inclusion, antiracism, athletics, power, privilege and more.
The ethics of climate change — March 15, 4 p.m., via Zoom. Mark Sentesy, assistant professor of philosophy and classics and ancient Mediterranean studies, will discuss the ethics of climate change as part of the spring 2021 EarthTalks series.
“A Conversation with Claire Smith” — March 15, 7 p.m., via Zoom. Sports writer Claire Smith, the first woman and fifth African American the highest honor given by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, will speak as a featured guest of the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism.
“The Ambient Medium: Landscape Thought for Climate Justice" — March 17, 6 p.m., virtual format. alter Meyer, co-founder of the Brooklyn-based Local Office Landscape and Urban Design, will join the Stuckeman School as part of the school’s Virtual Lecture Series.
Penn State Behrend Holocaust lecture series — March 18, 4 p.m., via Zoom. Hilary Earl, professor of history at Nipissing University, will discuss the reintegration of SS-Einsatzgruppen commander Martin Sandberger, who was sentenced to death for war crimes but had the sentence commuted due to pressure from U.S. Sen. William Langer.
Exhibits
"Anxiety Project" — HUB-Robeson Galleries, University Park campus, and online through March 14. Works by William Doan, professor of theatre, focused on mental health, are on view. Free.
"Field Language: The Painting and Poetry of Warren and Jane Rohrer" — Through June 6, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. This major loan exhibition examines the art of Warren Rohrer as it evolved in conversation with poet Jane Turner Rohrer, his partner of nearly 50 years. Free.
"The Wit and Whimsy of Lucille Corcos" — Through May 9, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. A prolific painter and illustrator, Lucille Corcos depicted American life with an incomparable verve during the mid-20h century. Free.
THON logo exhibition — Online. The THON website is featuring a virtual gallery showcasing logos from previous events, as well as profiles of each student designer. Free.
"Celebrating the ADA: The Legacy and Evolution of Disability Rights and Lived Experience at Penn State" — Online. The University Libraries virtual exhibit explores the first 100 years of national disability rights legislation and the movement's impact on the Penn State community. Free.
"African Brilliance: A Diplomat's Sixty Years of Collecting" Online Catalog — Online. A digital catalog of African works collected by retired U.S. ambassador Allen C. Davis, including text entries, high-resolution 360-degree images and contextual videos at the Palmer Museum of Art. Free.
"African Brilliance" Virtual Tour — Online. Explore an interactive tour created with teachers, students and families in mind. The tour includes installation images, pictures of selected works, videos for guided viewing and related art-making activity suggestions. Free.
"Drawing on a Legacy: Highlights from the John Driscoll American Drawings Collection" — Online. High-resolution images, text selections and a photo gallery of works on paper donated by Penn State alumnus John P. Driscoll, including early landscape views and botanical sketches, animal scenes and still lives, and portraits and preparatory figure studies. The works include a number of well-known 19th-century American artists. Free.
"Photography=Abstraction" — Online. The Palmer Museum of Art's virtual pop-up exhibition is an interactive gallery with images, text and informational videos for selected works. Free, Google Chrome browser recommended.
Snowiss Gallery of American Art — Online. Tour the Palmer Museum of Art's first-floor Snowiss Gallery. Free.
"Women in Art: Activism and Resistance" virtual tour — Online. This self-directed, interactive online tour features a selection of objects by female artists in the Palmer Museum of Art's collection. In celebration of the centennial of the 19th Amendment, this tour highlights artists working in a variety of media during the 20th and 21st centuries who have contributed to political, social and cultural change. Free.
"Human Expectations II" — Through June 20, Display Cases, HUB-Robeson Galleries, University Park campus, and online. The work of five artists embody a search for expression and experience through material. Free.
"When the Bough Breaks" — Through April 30, Art Alley, HUB-Robeson Galleries, University Park campus. Nine different artists address the issue of climate change through a unique representation of trees. Free.
"Something Means Something Else" — Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. This three-part mural by artist Tamara Gayer focuses on the intricacies of the current moment in sexual and gender identity. Free.
"Small Planet" — Through January 2022, HUB-Robeson Galleries, University Park campus. The HUB-Robeson Center has commissioned a site-specific wall painting located in the first-floor eateries by artist Katherine Tzu-Lan Mann titled "Small Planet." Free.