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PERFORMANCES / LECTURES / EVENTS

May 14-27

Editor's Pick for This Issue

Readers' Best: Summer goals

Commencement Calendar

A world of theater for children

* denotes an Alumni Weekend event

Thursday, May 14

TALKS

  • THE WAR ON PARENTS: Author-activist Sylvia Ann Hewlett and scholar Cornel West offer a counterattack to what they call the "silent war against parents" waged by government, business and the wider culture over the past three decades. 7 p.m. in Room B-1, Meyerson Hall, 34th and Walnut streets. Info: 898-4965.

MUSIC

  • VIRGIN QUINTET: The Kelly Writers House's resident jazz ensemble performs from 8 to 10 p.m. tonight at the house, 3805 Locust Walk. Info for all Writers House events: 573-WRIT.

Friday, May 15

ALUMNI/FACULTY EXCHANGES

  • COMMUNITY RENEWAL: The School of Social Work's alumni/faculty exchange features workshops on various strategies for community renewal and reform and a keynote address by Lisbeth B. Schorr, director of the Harvard University Program on Effective Intervention. 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Penn Tower Hotel, 34th St. and Civic Center Blvd. Info: e-mail dmyers@ben.dev. upenn.edu or call 898-5526. *

  • ELECTRONIC CLASSROOM: A hands-on look at how technology is transforming the University Library. 2 to 4 p.m. in the Patricia and Bernard Goldstein Electronic Classroom, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, 3420 Walnut St. *

  • HISTORY OF WINE: Join Adjunct Archaeology Professor Patrick E. McGovern and Robert Mondavi Winery's Scott Finaly for a discussion of vintages from 7,000 years ago to the present, with appropriate tastings. 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the E. Craig Sweeten Alumni Center, 3533 Locust Walk. *

  • ISRAEL'S FUTURE: Two panel discussions in honor of Israel's 50th anniversary look at the political and cultural issues facing Israel and the Jewish community in the years ahead. 3 to 5 p.m. in the Hillel Auditorium, 202 S. 36th St. Info for all School of Arts and Sciences Alumni Weekend events: e-mail mastroie@ben.dev.upenn.edu or call 898-5262. *

EXHIBITS

  • REQUIEM FOR THE PRIMATES: Vermont artist Sally Linder pays tribute to the primates who perished in the 1995 fire at the Philadelphia Zoo in a series of 14 paintings and four sculptures destined for final burial in the animals' native lands. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Morris Arboretum, 100 Northwestern Ave., Chestnut Hill. Admission $5, seniors $4, students $3, children under 6 free. Info: 247-5777. Through May 16.

  • POST-PENNISM I: Area alumni of Penn's Master of Fine Arts program display their post-graduation works in a collective show. Opening reception: See Happy Hour Barbecue below. Exhibit runs through May 30 in Meyerson Hall Galleries. *

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • PERELMAN QUAD TOUR: Members of the Perelman Quad Building Committee take visitors on a tour of the new student center-in-progress. Tour begins at 3:30 p.m. in front of Logan Hall, 249 S. 36th St. *

  • HAPPY HOUR BARBECUE: The Graduate School of Fine Arts Association's annual barbecue doubles this year as the opening reception for "Post-Pennism I," a show of works by area MFA alumni. 5 to 8 p.m. at Meyerson Hall Plaza, 210 S. 34th St. Tickets $10, students $5, GSFA Association members free. *

  • HAPPY HOUR II: For members of the Classes of 1988 and later. 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Palladium Restaurant, 3601 Locust Walk. Rain location: The Gold Standard, 36th Street and Locust Walk. *

  • "GO FORUM!": The Penn Glee Club presents its 136th annual production, in which a troupe of inept actors attempt a movie-musical version of Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar." 8 p.m. in the Annenberg School Auditorium, 3620 Walnut St. Tickets $10. Tickets/Info: 898-GLEE. *

  • BLOCK PARTY: Join the restaurrants of Moravian Court for an evening of food, drink and dancing under the stars. 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on the 3400 block of Moravian Court (between Sansom and Walnut streets). *

Saturday, May 16

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • ALUMNI RUN: The 20th annual Alumni Run/Walk, open to all Penn affiliates, follows a 5-kilometer course through the Penn campus. Registration from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. at Harnwell House, 3820 Locust Walk; race begins at 9 a.m. at 39th St. and Locust Walk. Registration $12 in advance, $15 day of race. Info: Penn Recreation Department, 898-6100. *

  • LOGAN OPEN HOUSE: Penn's second-oldest campus building, beautifully restored by Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, is open for tours all day. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Logan Hall. *

  • PRESIDENT'S TOWN MEETING: President Judith Rodin brings you up-to-date on the state of the University and Penn's plans for the 21st century. 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. in Room 200, College Hall, between 34th and 36th streets on Locust Walk. *

  • ALUMNI PICNIC: The annual picnic offers alumni of all classes the chance to come together as family, with a hot lunch buffet. Noon to 2 p.m. in Superblock, from 39th to 40th streets on Locust Walk. Tickets $17, children under 12 $4, Old Guard alumni (51st reunion and up) $10. *

  • ASSEMBLY OF ALUMNI: The main event of Alumni Weekend begins at 1:45 p.m. with the Parade of Classes along Locust Walk. At 2 p.m., an outdoor dance on College Green features the City Rhythm Orchestra, and at 3 p.m., President Rodin presents the annual Alumni Day Awards recognizing class participation in Alumni Weekend. *

  • IVY DAY CEREMONY: Senior awards and honors, Penn Alumni Society awards to students, and the unveiling of this year's Ivy Stone are the highlights of this event. Awards ceremony at 4 p.m. in Room 200, College Hall; stone unveiling at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the site of the new University Bookstore, 36th and Walnut streets. *

  • HALL OF FAME DINNER: The Athletic Department inducts 42 new members into the Penn Athletic Hall of Fame at its second annual induction dinner. 7 p.m. at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, 17th and Race streets. Black tie required. Reservations required; reservation info: Athletic Department, 898-9625. *

  • BALLROOM DANCE: You don't need to be a pro to enjoy yourself at this event -- everyone's welcome to trip the light fantastic. 8 to 11 p.m. in Bodek Lounge, Houston Hall. Tickets $15 per person; refreshments included. Info: Tereza Slepickova, 417-8417. *

ALUMNI/FACULTY EXCHANGES

  • TOO MUCH SCIENCE? The Engineering and Nursing Schools present a panel of Penn bioengineers and researchers discussing ethical dilemmas raised by modern biomedical research. 8:15 to 9 a.m. in the Nursing Education Building Auditorium, 420 Guardian Drive. *

  • HONG KONG CHANGE: Assistant Professor of Law Jacques deLisle and Time Asia editor Donald Morrison (C'68) discuss the future of Hong Kong under Chinese rule. 9 to 10 a.m. in the Class of 1955 Conference Room, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. *

  • LEADERS UNDER FIRE: Management Professor Michael Useem offers personal accounts of triumphs and disasters and the lessons they can teach us. 9 to 10:20 a.m. in the Annenberg School Theater, 3620 Walnut St. *

  • CAREGIVER STRESS: A Nursing School panel examines the impact on caregivers of managed-care practices that send patients home "quicker and sicker." 9:15 to 10 a.m. in the Nursing Education Building auditorium. *

  • PRESIDENT ON TRIAL: Law School Dean Colin Diver moderates a panel discussion on the practical implications of having a sitting president involved in a civil lawsuit. 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Room 240B, Law School. 3400 Chestnut St. *

  • CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY: University City District Executive Director Paul Steinke and Executive Vice President John Fry join GSFA alumni and faculty to discuss Penn's role in West Philadelphia and the University's Urban Agenda. 10 to 11 a.m. in Room B-3, Meyerson Hall, 34th and Walnut streets. *

  • FIGHTING QUAKERS: History Professor Thomas Childers moderates a panel discussion featuing Penn alumni of the World War II generation, whose academic careers were first interrupted, then helped, by their service to their country. 10 to 10:45 a.m. in Penniman Library, Bennett Hall, 34th and Walnut streets. *

  • GAY AT PENN: Alumni, faculty and current students compare views on being gay at Penn over the last half century. 10 to 11 a.m. in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall, 3620 Locust Walk. *

  • SNOW WHITE IN NEW YORK: A Graduate School of Education forum examines what happens when classic children's tales are adapted to modern settings and situations. 10 to 11 a.m. in the Class of 1955 Conference Room, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center. *

  • DESIGNER BABIES: The School of Nursing and SAS alumni/faculty exchange features bioethicists discussing what the human race stands to gain -- and lose -- from genetic engineering. 10 to 11 a.m. in the Ben Franklin Room, Houston Hall. *

  • BUY OR SELL? Professor of Finance and stock-market expert Jeremy Siegel talks about today's stock market. Copies of his book "Stocks for the Long Run" will be available. 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Rooms 350-351, Steinberg-Dietrich Hall. *

EXHIBITS

  • REQUIEM FOR THE PRIMATES: See Friday, May 15.

  • DAN ROSE RETROSPECTIVE: More than 40 one-of-a-kind artist books and found and made objects are on display in this examination of the Penn professor of landscape architecture and regional planning's artistic career. Reception from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Kroiz Gallery, Architectural Archives, 220 S. 34th St. Exhibit continues through July 3. *

Sunday, May 17

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • HISTORIC HOUSE TOUR: The University City House and Garden Tour takes visitors on a self-guided stroll through some of the landmarks of Philadelphia's first "garden suburb." 1 to 5 p.m.; first stop is the University City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St. Tickets $20; refreshments included. Advance tickets available from Philadelphia Open House, 928-1188. Info: University City Historical Society, 387-3019.

Really new music

They may look like familiar friends from the orchestra, but that's where the resemblance ends: the oversize cones, percussion pipes, 40-foot-long harp and mechanical devices that Montreal's Tuyo uses to make music are instruments of their own invention. Tuyo will perform from May 20 through May 24 at International House as part of the Annenberg Center's Philadelphia International Theatre Festival for Children (see "A world of theater for children").

EXHIBITS

  • "WISSAHICKON FOOD WEB": See Editor's Pick for This Issue.

  • TWO MORE FROM STACY LEVY: Meanwhile, inside the Institute for Contemporary Art, Levy has installed two more works. "Urban Oldfield: Diagram of a Vacant Lot" invokes the variety of plant life in "barren" cityscapes and "Where the Moon Is" employs lasers to track the moon's exact location on its journey around the Earth. Opening reception from 1 to 3 p.m. at the ICA, 118 S. 36th St. Admission $3, students over 12/artists/seniors $2, ICA members/children under 12/PennCard holders/all visitors before noon Sundays free. Exhibit runs through July 3.

Monday, May 18

SPECIAL EVENTS

Thursday, May 21

TALKS

  • PERSONAL HISTORY: Sharon Glassman (C'84) visits the Kelly Writers House for a lunchtime conversation and a performance of one of her biographical monologues. Noon to 2 p.m. at the Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk.

Friday, May 22

SPORTS

  • MEN'S HEAVYWEIGHT CREW: Penn races against Cornell for the Madeira Cup. All day, on the Schuylkill River.