SUPERNOVAE: VIOLENT DEATHS OF STARS - Dr. Maryam Modjaz of the University of California at Berkeley will discuss observations of exploding massive stars and their connection to Gamma-Ray Bursts, the most energetic explosions in the universe. Department of Physics and Astronomy. 4-5:15 p.m., Monday, Nov. 26. Darwin 103. http://phys-astro.sonoma.edu/wpd/
THE BEST OF THE BEST: ASSESSING MENTAL STRENGTHS OF ELITE ATHLETES - Glenn Brassington, Psychology, presents a new measure he is developing to assess the psychological attributes (e.g., drive, focus, and attitude) associated with peak athletic performance. His work is discussed in the context of his clinical experience teaching mental skills that athletes use to enhance their performance. The measure is being developed to assess college, professional, and Olympic athletes as well as performing artists and others. Social Science Brown Bag Series. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27. Stevenson 2011. (707) 664-2112.
UNDERSTANDING OUR BODIES: A SELF-HELP APPROACH - Lisa DeMartini of the Women's Health Specialists (WHS) will explain the self-help approach to women's gynecological care and how this movement radically changed the direction of women's health care. Women's Health Lecture Series. Noon., Tuesday, Nov. 27. Carson 20. (707) 664-2840.
"PLANNING A NON-VIOLENT FUTURE" - Michael Nagler, Professor of Peace Studies at UC Berkeley and founder of the Department of Peace Studies, lectures. War and Peace Lecture Series. 4-5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 27. Warren Auditorium, Ives 101. (707) 664-4115.
CLEVE JONES: NAMES MEMORIAL QUILT - Cleve Jones added a new element to the Milk Memorial March after asking marchers to write the names of friends who have died from the AIDS epidemic on a placard which would be made into a large quilt. Since then, the AIDS Memorial Quilt has grown to become the world's largest community arts project, memorializing the lives of over 85,000 Americans killed by AIDS. 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 27. Cooperage. (707) 664-2382.
VISITING ARTIST LECTURE SERIES: LORDY RODRIGUEZ -Lordy Rodriguez's works start with a geological source and the human urge to locate/define oneself by charting our environment in precise detail. Using the language of cartography, he makes drawings that go beyond map-making into abstracted, imaginary terrain. Noon-1 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28. Art 102. (707) 664-3042.
DO YOU USE DRUGS? DOES "NO" MEAN "NO"? OR DOES IT MATTER? -David B. Neal, Manager, Statistical Analysis, United Behavioral Health, delves into the world of behavioral research and statistical modeling through a look at drug usage patterns for a sample of injection drug users and cocaine smokers not currently in treatment. This discussion explores various statistical models suited for this type of data. Math Colloquium. 4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28. Darwin 103. (707) 664-2385.
COMBATTING HIV AND HUNGER IN NAMIBIA - Dr. Mark Netherda discusses his year of living in Namibia and caring for HIV patients. His wife shares her experiences working in a local food kitchen. Student Health Center, the Sonoma County AIDS Coalition, the Student Health Advisory Committee, and the Pre Health Club. 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28. Cooperage. (707) 664-2921.
SLOW FOOD MOVEMENT - Representatives from the Sonoma County Slow Food Movement presents the topic of nutrition and good, clean food, and an interactive presentation on food choices and how they impact the health of our bodies and environment. Free food tasting. 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28. Student Recreation Center. (707) 664-4223.
FALL DANCE CONCERT: SSU DANCE ENSEMBLE - The annual Fall Dance promises the sheer excitement and vitality of student choreography and performance. Featuring a wide range of movement styles including contemporary dance and hip-hop. Directed by Nancy Lyons; choreography and performance by SSU Dance Ensemble. Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is $8. SSU students admitted free. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29 and Thursday, Nov. 30, 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 31. Dance Studio Theatre, PE 1. (707) 664-2235.
ARTS & HUMANITIES FORUM - Karen Kessel (Art) presents "Folding Native American Culture into the Art History Canon," followed by a talk by Paul Draper entitled, "Actor Training: Comparing China, India and the U.S." Noon-1 p.m.. Thursday, Nov. 29. Schulz 1121.
HAVING A GOOD TIME SINGING: INDIAN SINGING ENSEMBLE - Laxmi G. Tewari offers a chance to find that an Indian singing ensemble is fun. Noon., Thursday, Nov. 29. Ives 119. (707) 664-2235.
FREE PIZZA COMEDY SERIES FEATURING: LISA MEYERS - Lisa Meyers' sardonic personality and less-than-demure attitude emerge on stage with thought provoking humor. Associated Student Productions. 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29. The Pub. (707) 664-2382.
BROADWAY FORBID! MUSIC THEATRE SCENES WORKSHOP - Music Theatre students present an original revue written by the students themselves and featuring a varied potpourri of songs from the rich American Musical Theatre repertoire. Center for the Performing Arts. 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29 and Friday, Nov. 30. Ives 119. (707) 664- 2235.
ADDRESSING SLAVERY TODAY: LOCAL AND GLOBAL SEX TRAFFICKING - Sexual trafficking and modern day slavery will be the topic of discussion in a program that includes the film The Day My God Died and information on the United States’ role in the trade. Marie De Santis, director of the Women’s Justice Center, explores the local impact of sex trafficking. Hutchins School Libs 320A Class, Women's Justice Center, Shangri-La Restaurant and the Hutchins Institute for Public Policy Studies and Community Action. 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29. Schulz 2015 A&B. (707) 799-7465.
MILESTONES: UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLES - Mel Graves leads his two University Jazz Ensembles in their second fall concert of post-bebop jazz standards and new works. Center for the Performing Arts. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29. Warren Auditorium. (707) 664-2235.
PUBLIC VIEWING NIGHT - The first planetary nebula, the first Seyfert Galaxy, star clusters fat and thin. SSU Observatory. 7p.m., Friday, Nov. 30. SSU Observatory. (707) 664-2267.
HIP HOP SHOW- The best of Sonoma County Hip Hop, featuring All City Alliance and Lost Role Models. Sponsored by Associated Student Productions. 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 30. Student Union Multi-Purpose Room. (707)664-2382. SSU students admitted free.
PADUA AND FIRENZE: TRECENTO AND QUATTROCENTO MUSIC IN NORTHERN ITALY - SSU Chamber Singers - Robert Worth, Director - The SSU Chamber Singers perform fabulous, rarely-heard music by Italian composers of the 14th and 15th centuries. Featuring works by Paola Tenorista and Johannes Ciconia. SSU Choral Program. Presented by the SSU Center for the Performing Arts. 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. Holy Family Episcopal Church. (707) 664-2235. General admission is $12, $10 for faculty, alumni and staff, $8 for seniors and students. SSU students admitted free.
GALLERIES
"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HERE" - There's No Place Like Here looks at how sixteen contemporary artists explore the concept of "place"- whether it is a familiar place fondly remembered, a place seen from afar but never visited, or a place that exists only in the artist's imagination - through painting, sculpture, photography, video, and sound. Nov. 1 through Dec. 9. University Art Gallery. (707) 664-2295.
FILMS
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES - French with English subtitles. French Cine Club Film. 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 28. Erin Fisher Room, Student Union. (707) 664-4177.
THE BIG ANIMAL - (Jerzy Stuhr, 2000, Polish w/English subtitles) Irresistible fable about a childless couple who adopt a camel. Sonoma Film Institute. Admission is $5, $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, and $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students admitted free. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30. Warren Auditorium, Ives Hall. (707) 664-2606.
*All lectures are free unless otherwise noted.
