Danielle Douglas ’17 offers her selection of events and activities to do this weekend. Find information on upcoming events on the University Events Calendar at www.rochester.edu/calendar.
#1: Visit the Memorial Art Gallery’s new exhibit, Pax Kaffraria
Experience the artistic narratives presented in the works of Meleko Mokgosi in Pax Kaffraria, with its debut at the Memorial Art Gallery on Sunday, February 19. Pax Kaffraria visually expresses the history of an imaginary African state. It represents themes of nationalism, agriculture, politics, and family that reflect many African postcolonial experiences. The exhibition is the first time the chapters of Mokgosi’s project are being exhibited together. In a few weeks, Mokgosi, who was born in Botswana and now lives in New York City, will take part in a public conversation at the museum on February 23. The exhibit is on display in the Grand Gallery at the Memorial Art Gallery through May 7, and select pieces are also on display at the Rochester Contemporary Art Center until March 19. Read more about the exhibit.
#2: Listen to the stories of Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor, the beloved retired host of NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion, will take the stage at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theater on Friday, February 17, at 8 p.m. With his style of humor and infamously soothing voice, Keillor will present an evening of comedy and storytelling as part of the Eastman Presents Series. He is the recipient of honors including a Grammy, National Humanities Medal, George Foster Peabody awards, and has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has written numerous books and is the host of daily podcast, The Writer’s Almanac. Tickets range from $22 to 109.50, and are available online.
#3: Be empowered through poetry
Experience spoken word and live music at No Disclaimers’ annual poetry slam, “Freedom Rises: A Poetry Slam Showcase” on Saturday, February 18. Whether you are a well-versed slam poet or have never before stood in front of a crowd, this student organization, part of the Black Students’ Union, invites any and all who want to share their own words or simply to listen to others. The event will take place at 2 p.m. in Hoyt Auditorium on the River Campus. See the Facebook event page.
#4: Support the University’s basketball teams
Men’s and women’s basketball teams both have packed weekends, matching up against Carnegie Mellon University on Friday, February 17, and against Case Western Reserve on Sunday, February 19. When the women face Carnegie Mellon at 6 p.m. on Friday, the game features a matchup of the two best “big people” in the league—one being Rochester sophomore Alexandra Leslie and the other Lisa Murphy of Carnegie Mellon. The men will have the opportunity to eliminate Carnegie from the playoffs at 8 p.m. The Sunday game is Senior Day for the basketball program, and the three seniors on the men’s team and the two on the women’s team will be honored prior to the start of their respective games. The men will play at 12:05 p.m, and the women will play at 2 p.m. Support the Yellowjacket teams in the Palestra, Goergen Athletic Center. Games are free for spectators. www.uofrathletics.com.
#5: Watch feminism take the stage
Join College Feminists on Friday, February 17 at 7 p.m for their annual reading of The Vagina Monologues, an amalgamation of monologues read by different women about topics from love and sex to friendship. The University’s performance, which will take place in Strong Auditorium, is one of over 5,800 performances that is a part of the V-Day movement to raise funds and awareness to end violence against women. Tickets cost $5 for University students and $8 for all others, and can be purchased at the Common Market in Wilson Commons on the River Campus or at the door. Ninety percent of the funds raised will be donated to Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York, and 10% will go towards the V-Day organization. See Facebook event page.
