OnCampus Events

Listings for Tuesday, Nov. 18

University Extension open for both spring and online course registration
All day event, Admin Office, Lake Austin Center (LAC), 3001 Lake Austin Blvd, Suite 1.314. University Extension (UEX) is open for both spring 2009 classroom and online course registration. UEX at The University of Texas at Austin offers a wide range of classroom and online courses from the university's course inventory. UEX courses count for college credit and are included in your cumulative UT GPA. UEX classroom courses meet evenings on the UT Austin campus. url=http://web.austin.utexas.edu/uex/courses.html Check out the full classroom course listing now! /url Need more flexibility? University Extension's online courses can be taken any time, any place. Students have up to nine months to complete an online course and earn university credit. url=http://web.austin.utexas.edu/courses/dec/college/searchcollege.cfm Take me to the full online course listing now! /url Questions? Call 512-471-2900.

Union Underground hosts bowling event to honor Union's 75th birthday
midnight, Texas Union Underground. To help celebrate the Texas Union's 75th anniversary, the Texas Union Underground is hosting a "Diamond Jubilee Special" for members of the UT community. This fall semester only, present a current, valid UT ID between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Monday nights and bowl for only $0.75 per person per game. Bowling shoes are required and also are only $0.75 during this 75th anniversary special. Limited availability, first come first served. Great late night fun right on the UT campus in the historic Texas Union! The Underground is located in the north end of the Texas Union (at the corner of 24th and Guadalupe), directly beneath the theater. For additional information, please contact the Underground during business hours (Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 a.m., Sunday, noon-3 a.m.) at 512-475-6670

Become a non-smoker with "Quitters Smoking Cessation Class"
midnight, SSB G1.106. Become a non-smoker with b Quitters /b , a four-session smoking cessation class in a small group setting facilitated by a qualified professional. This class teaches several different techniques that have been shown to help smokers quit tobacco for good. Quitters is b free to students /b and available to faculty and staff for a small fee. Classes will meet in the Student Services Building (SSB) on four consecutive Mondays beginning October 24th. Time is Noon-1:30pm. b Come by SSB 1.106 to sign up! /b

Year-long series of events celebrates legacy of Lyndon Baines Johnson
All day event, Various locations in Texas and Washington, D.C.. On Oct. 4, organizers of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Centennial, commemorating the 100th birthday (Aug. 27, 1908) of the 36th President, announced that the official Centennial celebrations will begin Jan. 1, 2008, with a year-long tribute to the LBJ legacy. To kick off the Centennial celebrations, seven LBJ-affiliated groups and GSD&M's Idea City unveiled a Centennial logo and web site. A series of programs and events in Texas and Washington, D. C., will highlight the Centennial salute. The logo will be used by all seven organizations throughout 2008, and a comprehensive Web site with a detailed calendar, historical information, and photographs will launch Jan. 1, 2008.

"Mystique of the Archive" opens at Ransom Center
All day event, Corner of 21st and Guadalupe streets. Drawing from the Harry Ransom Center's extensive modern literature collections- Julian Barnes, Don DeLillo, Anne Sexton, and many others-the exhibition describes what constitutes an archive, documents the evolution of creative works and maps an archive's journey from the writer's home to the scholar's desk. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended Thursday evening hours to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.

"A Cabinet of Drawings" opens at Harry Ransom Center
All day event, Corner of 21st and Guadalupe streets.. This survey or "cabinet" of more than 100 drawings from the Harry Ransom Center's diverse collections features book illustrations, designs, illustrated letters, landscapes and portraiture by such internationally recognized figures as William Blake, Jean Cocteau, Miguel Covarrubias, E. E. Cummings, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Miller, Pablo Picasso and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended Thursday evening hours to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays.

UT Informal Classes Fall II 2008 courses open
All day event, Texas Union, Room 4.304. This fall, you can live your possibilities - Whether it's the right moment to put your skills together, or to start anew, Informal Classes is here to offer you choices. Look for our new catalog starting Sept. 8. Register now for more than 400 courses that range from African Martial Arts to Decorative Furniture Painting, Bike Commuting to Dance Choreography, Western Horseback riding to Arabic, Socially Responsible Business Practices to Blues Guitar. Informal Classes instructors have a passion for teaching, and many are experts in their field. Classes take place both on the main campus as well as at The Commons Center at the Pickle Research Center, and in many off-campus locations around town. Our on-line courses are incredibly varied, as well, and can be taken in the comfort of your home, at the times you need. To view courses and register, visit us at informalclasses.org or call 232-5277. Thank you for taking Informal Classes!

UT Odyssey open for registration
All day event, The University of Texas at Austin. Registration is now open for Odyssey fall 2008 and spring 2009 courses! The Odyssey personal enrichment program offers stimulating short courses taught by scholars at The University of Texas at Austin. Choose from fascinating topics in history, literature, the arts and more. Courses are open to all and conveniently held in the evening on the main UT Austin campus. Receive a 25 percent discount when you register concurrently for both fall 2008 and spring 2009 courses before October 1! Or, receive a 20 percent discount for students, faculty and staff if you choose to register for only one semester. Get more information at www.utodyssey.org. FALL 2008 COURSES: -History Lecture Series -Islam 101 -A Taste for Revolution: Art and Politics in 19th Century France -The Quest for Meaning: Thinking About Ethics in a World of Conflicting Beliefs -Texas Politics and the 2008 Election SPRING 2009 COURSES: -"Birth of the Cool" Architecture Lecture Series -Word for Word: The UT Speaker Series -Genetics 101 -Psychology of Religion -The Vietnam War -Opera: The First 100 Years For additional course information or to register, please visit www.utodyssey.org or call (512) 471-2912. The Odyssey Personal Enrichment Program is offered by University Extension, a component of Continuing & Innovative Education at The University of Texas at Austin.

Blanton exhibit features work by Park Place Gallery artists
All day event, Blanton Museum of Art (BMA). The Blanton Museum of Art presents "Reimagining Space: The Park Place Gallery Group in 1960s New York," a groundbreaking exhibition of work by artists associated with the Park Place Gallery, a prominent artists' cooperative space in 1960s New York. The Park Place Gallery was shared by five sculptors (Mark di Suvero, Peter Forakis, Robert Grosvenor, Anthony Magar and Forrest Myers) and five painters (Dean Fleming, Tamara Melcher, David Novros, Edwin Ruda and Leo Valledor). With their unique interest in dynamic, complex space in sculpture and painting and their active engagement with contemporary cultural issues, the group was often at odds with the predominant movements and philosophies of most artists of the day. As a result, Park Place has rarely been treated in histories of the 1960s. By assembling a selection of major works rarely seen or seen together since that era - as well as photographs and documents chronicling the group's activities - this exhibition opens a new window on the 1960s art world. In doing so, it reveals the decade to have been a period of much richer artistic possibility and complexity than standard art historical narratives ever suggest.

Exhibit examines Conceptualist movement of the 1960s and '70s
All day event, Blanton Museum of Art (BMA).

Blanton Museum showcases work of contemporary artist Marcelo Pombo
All day event, Blanton Museum of Art. The Blanton Museum of Art showcases the work of Marcelo Pombo as part of its WorkSpace exhibition series. WorkSpace displays cutting-edge developments in the work of emerging and established contemporary artists. The exhibitions that result from these artistic investigations provide Blanton visitors ever-changing glimpses into the art of the present moment. Pombo is one of the key figures to emerge from the 1990s art scene in Argentina, and was part of the movement know as Arte Light, which was formed by a group of artists associated with the Centro Cultural Rojas. His paintings make use of industrial paint and sparkling polishes to depict fantasy worlds that combine graphic design, comic culture, geometric abstraction, and surrealist influences. For this installation, Pombo presents six new large-scale paintings, all commissioned by the Blanton. On view through Feb. 22, 2009. This exhibit is generously supported by members of the Blanton Contemporary Salon.

Learn about Pre-Graduate School Internship
All day event, Spring course. The Intellectual Entrepreneurship Pre-Graduate School Internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students to work closely with a graduate student mentor and/or faculty member. Throughout the semester, interns discover those unique aspects of graduate study that make it distinct from the undergraduate experience, such as conducting research, serving as teaching and research assistants, and participating in seminars.

Nature-inspired paintings on display at the Wildflower Center
All day event, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse Ave., Austin, TX 78739. Bold, colorful paintings by Linda Calvert Jacobson that celebrate spring will be featured at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Oct. 18-Dec. 14. The nature-inspired artwork by the Texas native will be displayed in the McDermott Learning Center, with a "Meet the Artist"reception opening day from noon to 2 p.m.

"Alternate Worlds: The Visionary Artist in Texas" on view at the Blanton
All day event, Blanton Museum of Art. August 27, 2008 was the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Johnny Swearingen (1908-1993), one of Texas' most inspired outsider artists. To celebrate, the Blanton will present "Alternate Worlds: The Visionary Artist in Texas," an exhibition of paintings, objects and works on paper from the Blanton's collection by Swearingen and fellow Texas artists Eddie Arning, John Banks, Hector Alonzo Benevides, Carl Dixon, Peter Drgac, Mark Cole Greene and Ike Morgan. Together these artists offer unique interpretations of our everyday lives.

Students compete in energy challenge to reduce energy consumption
All day event, Turtle Pond. The Environmental Science Institute and Student Government's Campus Environmental Center present the 2nd annual UT Energy Challenge, otherwise known as "Do it in the Dark." Beginning Nov. 1, students that live in on-campus residence halls and off-campus co-ops will compete to reduce their energy consumption by taking actions such as turning off lights, using daylight and unplugging appliances. The energy consumed of each participating residence hall and co-op during the 30 days of November will be compared with a baseline average of their previous five Novembers. The residence hall or co-op that reduces the most energy will win a cash prize. Coop and residence hall residents can visit www.UTenvironment.org/energypledge to join. A Halloween-themed kick off event will get the Challenge started this year. Participants will carve out their energy solution into pumpkins. At the end of the event, a contest will be held and the most creative design will win a prize.

UT Odyssey open for registration
All day event, The University of Texas at Austin. Registration is now open for Odyssey spring 2009 courses! The Odyssey personal enrichment program offers stimulating short courses taught by scholars at The University of Texas at Austin. Choose from fascinating topics in history, literature, the arts and more. Courses are open to all and conveniently held in the evening on the main UT Austin campus. Receive a 20 percent discount for students, faculty and staff. Get more information at www.utodyssey.org. SPRING 2009 COURSES: -"Birth of the Cool" Architecture Lecture Series -Word for Word: The UT Speaker Series -Genetics 101 -Psychology of Religion -The Vietnam War -Opera: The First 100 Years For additional course information or to register, please visit www.utodyssey.org or call (512) 471-2912. The Odyssey Personal Enrichment Program is offered by University Extension, a component of Continuing & Innovative Education at The University of Texas at Austin.

Beta Kappa Gamma's 9th Annual Brothers Kollecting Gifts
All day event, Various campus locations. Beta Kappa Gamma hosts the 9th Annual Brothers Kollecting Gifts fundraiser Nov. 17-21. All proceeds go towards buying holiday gifts for underprivileged children. In conjunction with the fundraiser there will be a series of events throughout the week. MONDAY: Kick-Off Rally at Gregory Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. TUESDAY: All day fundraiser at Pluckers WEDNESDAY: Service Event at Business School Atrium from 5-7 p.m. FRIDAY: Talent Show at the University Teaching Center, Room 2.112A. Doors Open at 7 p.m.

Orange Santa accepts donations during annual toy drive
8 a.m., Campus-wide. Orange Santa began in 1994 as a program designed to foster a more caring campus environment by providing help for members of the university community who have special needs during the holiday season. In December 2007, Orange Santa served 500 families, including 1,700 children. All donated toys or gifts should be new, unwrapped and in the original packing. Wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons and gift cards are needed to wrap and label gifts once shoppers have made their selections. Although grocery store gift certificates are welcome, we ask that no food items be contributed. Donations will be collected at UT guard stations on the main campus and at the Pickle Research Campus. In addition, there are numerous locations where gift items will be collected. Please check the Orange Santa website for a listing of Campus Collection Stations for the site nearest you. Applications for those wishing to receive assistance through the program can be downloaded or filled out on the Orange Santa website.

Ransom Center offers free public tours of exhibitions
noon, Harry Ransom Center. Take a free guided tour of the exhibitions "The Mystique of the Archive" and "A Cabinet of Drawings" on Tuesdays at noon. Please call 512-475-8086 to make arrangements for groups of 10 or more.

Varon discusses "Disunion! The Coming of the American CivilWar, 1789-1859"
3:30 p.m., AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center. The launch of the sixteen-volume publication of Littlefield History of the Civil War Era, sponsored by the Littlefield Fund for Southern History at the University of Texas at Austin and published by the University of North Carolina Press, features Elizabeth Varon, Professor of History at Temple University. Dr. Varon opens the series with her new book, "Disunion! The Coming of the American Civil War, 1789-1859," in which she blends political history and cultural history to examine the ongoing debates over disunion that long preceded the secession crisis. Professor Varon will deliver a public address highlighting some of the issues raised in this new work. A panel of distinguished scholars, including series editors Gary Gallagher and T. Michael Parrish along with series authors Thavolia Glymph and George Rable, will discuss and critique the presentation. A reception will follow the formal program.

A reading by visiting writer Elizabeth Crane
5:30 p.m., Follett's Intellectual Property. On November 18, 2008, visiting writer Elizabeth Crane will read from her collection of short stories You Must Be This Happy to Enter. The reading will be held at Follett's Intellectual Property at 5:45 p.m. with a reception beginning 5:30. Crane visits the UT Creative Writing Program from the University of Chicago, where she teaches creative writing. She will be in Austin through the fall semester. Crane is the author of three collections of short stories, When the Messenger is Hot, All this Heavenly Glory, and You Must Be This Happy to Enter. Her work has also been featured in publications including Other Voices, fivechapters, Ecotone, Nerve, Washington Square, New York Stories, Sycamore Review, Mississippi Review, Florida Review, Eclipse, Bridge, Sonora Review, the Chicago Reader, the Believer, McSweeney's Future Dictionary of America, and several anthologies including The Best Underground Fiction, Loser, Altared, Who Can Save Us Now?, Best of the Web, and The Show I'll Never Forget. Crane's stories have been featured on NPR's Selected Shorts, and she is a recipient of the Chicago Public Library 21st Century Award. Her work has been adapted for the stage by Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater company, and also been adapted for film.

Learn about Longhorn Outreach and volunteer opportunities
5:30 p.m., SSB Room G1.106. Longhorn Outreach is a program of the UT Student Volunteer Board dedicated to outreaching to different communities in Austin. Longhorn Outreach selects various volunteer opportunities each month involving a wide array of causes including: the environment, animals, elderly, children, poverty-stricken, and the local needs of the Austin community. Join us at our weekly general meeting to learn more about the program and volunteer service opportunities.

Panel discussion explores "Clash of Civilizations"
6 p.m., GSB 2.124. The Institute of Interfaith Dialogue and Islamic Dialogue Student Association present a panel discussion on the themes 'Clash' and 'Dialog' of civilizations to acquaint a largely American audience with teachings in Islamic, Christian, and Jewish religions that might help to lead a peaceful, non-violent, and respectful living together in an otherwise potentially volatile relationship.

Talk looks at "Approaches to North Korea in the Obama Administration"
6 p.m., GRG102. Hunger in North Korea, a student organization, presents an informal talk, titled "Thoughts on Approaches to North Korea in the Obama Administration." There will also be a short q&a afterwards, so please come with your questions! Food will be provided as usual!

Department of Physic screens "The Atom Smashers"
6:30 p.m., Welch Hall, Room 2.224. The Department of Physics will hosts a free screening of the PBS Film "The Atom Smashers." The film describes the race to find the elusive particle called the Higgs Boson, described as the "Holy Grail" of particle physics, which explains the origin of all mass in the Universe. Europe will switch on its new "Large Hadron Collider" accelerator this Fall, potentially beating physicists at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory outside Chicago to the discovery. In part an introduction for the non-expert, and in part an exploration of the human drama of scientific competition, the film was recently enthusiastically received at the Austin Film Festival. Admission at the UT screening is free and open to the public

University Argentine Tango Club hosts beginner class
7 p.m., Texas Union Showroom. Join the University Argentine Tango club for a second series of Introduction to Argentine Tango. No experience or partner required! Learn this beautiful and creative dance, and go beyond roses and fedoras to discover a vibrant social dance with a growing local scene. Taught by UT students Chuck Michelson and Georgia Kromrei, to be followed by an intermediate level class at 8 p.m. and open dancing from 9-11 pm.

Public concert features traditional Tuvan music
7 p.m., Avaya Auditorium, ACES Building. The Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies and the Butler School of Music present the symposium "Alash: The Best New-Old Music From Tuva," Nov. 17-19, with a public concert followed by reception Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. in Avaya Auditorium ACES building, 201 E. 24th (corner of Speedway).

Pianist discusses and performs Maurice Ravel's "Trio"
7 p.m., Harry Ransom Center. In the second Music From the Collections event, pianist Richard Dowling discusses and performs French composer Maurice Ravel's "Trio" for piano, violin and cello. Ravel's Piano Trio was the subject of Dowling's doctoral dissertation at The University of Texas at Austin 18 years ago. Ravel's original 1914 manuscript of the Trio is part of the Carlton Lake French collection at the Harry Ransom Center. Dowling recently published a new critical performing edition of the work, correcting printing errors in the original 1915 French edition and restoring Ravel's original compositional intentions based on the manuscript at the Ransom Center. Dowling's lecture explores the history of Ravel's Trio and demonstrates some surprising differences he discovered between the original 1915 French edition and Ravel's 1914 manuscript. After the lecture, Dowling will perform the complete, newly-restored version of the Trio with Miro String Quartet first violinist Daniel Ching and cellist Amy Levine of the Laurel Piano Trio. This is the first time this version of Trio has been performed. Seating is free, but limited. This event is co-sponsored by the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin.

Department of Germanic Studies screens film
7 p.m., EPS 4.104. The Department of Germanic Studies hosts a German Film Series screening Lola and Billy the Kid (1999). Murat, a young Turk living in Berlin, realizes he's gay, problematic given his conservative family background and his homophobic brother Osman, the head of the house. In a bar, Murat meets Lola and his partner Billy, also from a conservative Turkish-German background that dictates the boundaries of their relationship. Lola would like to be more open, to walk the streets with Billy as an out gay couple, but Billy insists that Lola eventually get a sex-change so they can be married. Lola refuses and leaves Billy, returning in desperation to the family that rejected him. The surprising and tragic ending highlights the tensions between personal liberation on the one hand and the importance of family and tradition on the other.