MUHAMMAD ALI: RACE LEADER - Lecture by Mike Ezra of the American Multicultural Studies Department at SSU. Lecture is part of The African and Diaspora Studies Institute, in conjuction with Black History Month at Sonoma State. Noon, Tuesday, Feb. 8, Student Union Multipurpose Room. (707) 664-2537.
SOFIA: STRATOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY FOR INFRARED ASTRONOMY - Dr. Eric Becklin of the University of California, Los Angeles describes the project to develop and operate a 2.5-meter infrared telescope in a Boeing 747-SP and examples of the science programs to be carried out when it goes into operation in 2006. What Physicists Do Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8, Stevenson 2006. (707) 664-2119.
A HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN SONOMA COUNTY - Lecture presented by Darius Spearman of the InterCultural Center at SSU. Lecture is part of The African and Diaspora Studies Institute, in conjuction with Black History Month at Sonoma State. Noon, Wednesday, Feb. 9, Student Union Multipurpose Room. (707) 664-2537.
OBSERVING THE SUN AND THE MOON FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD - Helmer Alslaksen of the National University of Singapore, Singapore will discuss the motion of the Sun and the Moon from a "hemispherically-correct" point of view, with special emphasis on the needs of "latitudinally-challenged" observers. M*A*T*H Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 9, Carson 68. (707) 664-2368.
MULATTOES, HAPAS, AND HALFBREED: REPRESENTING MULTIRACIAL PEOPLE IN THE U.S - Lecture presented by Leilani Nishime of the American Multicultural Studies department. School of Arts and Humanities Research and Creative Works Forum. Noon, Thursday, Feb. 10, Schulz 1121, (707) 664-2146.
COLORED CREOLES IN LOUISIANA - Velma Guillory-Taylor of the American Multicultural Studies department lectures on race and Creole culture. School of Arts and Humanities Research and Creative Works Forum. Noon, Thursday, Feb. 10, Schulz 1121, (707) 664-2146.
TSUNAMI BENEFIT CONCERT - Benefit concert to raise funds for victims of the South Asian tsunami. Tickets are $3 at the Student Union, $5 at the door. 7 p.m, Friday, Feb. 11, The Commons, (707) 664-4277.
BLACK COMEDY JAM - A night of comedy with leading Black comics - W. Lamau Bell and Sadiki Fuller. No charge. 9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, The Cooperage, (707) 664-2537.
NATIONAL YOUTH SPORTS SUMMER PROGRAM - Orientation meeting for parents and children (ages 10-16) about a free six-week summer sports program which promotes higher education and healthy lifestyle choices to 200 Sonoma County youth. 9 -10:30 a.m., Feb. 12 in the Commons. For more information, contact Gerald Jones at Sonoma State University's PreCollege Programs, (707) 664-4201 or (707) 664-2428.
"ART FROM THE HEART" ART AUCTION & PARTY - 21st annual art auction benefitting the University Art Gallery. An evening of art, food, and fine wine, featuring 150 modestly-priced works of art sold during a silent auction. There will be a free preview of the artwork on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and Friday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Auction and party is 6-9 p.m, Saturday, Feb. 12. $15 suggested donation at the door. For more information, call (707) 664-2295.
SOLO VOICE RECITAL - The world-class team of soprano Carol Menke and pianist Alden Gilchrist are back for an encore recital with a program spanning the centuries, from Elizabethan music to Purcell, Poulenc, Rachmaninoff and beyond. Sonoma County Choral Society, Saturday, Feb. 12, 8 p.m., Ives 119. $10 general; $8 SSU faculty, alumni, staff; $6 students, seniors. Box Office, 707-664-2353, www.sonomachoral.org.
SONOMA FILM INSTITUTE
FAAT KINE - Faat-Kine is a brash, bawdy, self-made woman who is managing a gas station, supporting her mother and putting two children through college. But, as successful as she is, Kine's children are embarrassed by her lack of a husband, and set out to find her one. 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 6, Warren Auditorium.
WAITING FOR HAPPINESS - Director Abderrahmane Sissako crafts a beautifully observed mosaic of life in a small seaside village on the West African coast. 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 10, Stevenson 1002, 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, Warren Auditorium.
SFI ADMISSION - $4.50 General; $4 Non-SSU students w/I.D., Senior Citizens, SSU faculty and staff; $3; SFI members, children under 12; Free SSU Students w/I.D. (707) 664-2606.
