What's happening at Penn State? Here's a look at some of the cultural events taking place at the University this weekend and next week:
Events
MLK Birthday Remembrance — 3:30 p.m., Jan. 21, State College Municipal Building, 243 S. Allen Street, downtown State College. In collaboration with State College Borough, join others at the State College Municipal Building for a moment of remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, and speeches about his legacy's impact on today's society. Refreshments will be provided at this free event.
MLK Jr. Commemoration Evening Celebration — 5:30 p.m., Jan. 22, Schwab Auditorium. The 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Student Committee will present an evening celebration and keynote for MLK Jr. Commemoration Week. Priority entrance, on a first-come, first-served basis, will be given to students with a valid Penn State University Park photo ID. Community members are welcome to attend and will be seated based on availability.
Performances
Ronny Chieng — 6 p.m., Jan. 17, Heritage Hall, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. The University Park Student Programming Association presents "The Daily Show" comedian Ronny Chieng. Free, but tickets required (available at 226 HUB-Robeson Center).
B.o.B — 9 p.m., Jan. 17, Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. The University Park Student Programming Association presents rapper B.o.B in concert. Free, but tickets required (available at 226 HUB-Robeson Center).
Essence of Joy — 1:30 p.m., Jan. 20, Franklin Atrium, first floor Pattee Library. In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Essence of Joy Choir will perform sacred and secular music that is rooted within African and African American traditions. Free.
"Guzman Plays Mozart" — 3 p.m., Jan. 19, recital hall, Music Building I, University Park campus. The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra will perform with School of Music faculty member and pianist Christopher Guzman.
"Humans" — 7:30 p.m., Jan. 21, Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park campus. The Australian contemporary circus Circa returns Penn State, expelling the physical limits of their bodies.
Lectures
"Presidential Impeachment: Historical Context and Current Controversies" — 5:30 p.m., Jan. 16, Sutliff Auditorium, Lewis Katz Building, University Park campus. Two leading constitutional law experts, Heidi Kitrosser of the University of Minnesota and Keith E. Whittington of Princeton University, will participate in panel discussion on presidential impeachment. Free, but registration required. The event will also be livestreamed.
Ashtekar Frontiers of Science Lectures: Murali Haran — 11 a.m., Jan. 18, 101 Thomas Building, University Park campus. Murali Haran, professor and head of statistics at Penn State, will present "Statistics and the future of the Antarctic ice sheet." Free.
Exhibits
"Coal Town Holiday Traditions featuring A Wartime Christmas" — Through Jan. 31, Coal and Coke Heritage Center, Penn State Fayette. The exhibit highlights the history of the Connellsville Coke Region, which became a booming industrial area and a melting pot of cultural traditions in the mid- to late-1800s. Free.
"Ghosts" — Through Feb. 2, HUB-Robeson Galleries, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. An exhibition of works selected from the School of Visual Arts' collection of bisque ware, known as the Bisque Library. Free.
"Cosmologies" — Through March 3, Art Alley, HUB-Robeson Galleries, HUB-Robeson Center, University park campus. An exhibition of large-scale drawings inspired by systems, steamfitter’s drawings, flight routes and electrical networks. Free.
"On/Of Paper: Work by the Faculty of Architecture at Penn State" — Through March 6, Willard Rouse Gallery, Stuckeman Family Building, University Park campus. The exhibit highlights Penn State architecture faculty members' work and the importance of drawing and paperwork are in their endeavors. Free.
"Still Here" — Jan. 21-March 22, HUB Gallery, HUB-Robseon Center, University Park campus. Curated by Larry Ossei-Mensah, Kiara Ventura and Dexter Wimberly, "Still Here" explores stories of migration, displacement and survival by eight artists that represent a spectrum of the African Diaspora. Free.
"Grounded: Environments in Flux" — Jan. 21-May 31, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the Palmer is showcasing a select group of works by contemporary artists to celebrate the poetry and power of nature, as we as the prosaic reality of environmental degradation resulting from modern interventions. Free.
"Drawing on a Legacy: Highlights from the John Driscoll American Drawings Collection" — Jan. 21-June 7, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. The exhibition spotlights 30 watercolors and drawings from a diverse group of 19th-century American artists. Free.