Calendar Of Events At James Madison University - January through May 2005

SPECIAL EVENTS

Feb. 11: Kid's Night Out, 5-9 p.m., UREC: Activities for children in kindergarten through sixth grade include games, fitness classes, swimming, indoor rock climbing and a pizza party; led by members of the Bahamas Alternative Spring Break team; $17 fee per child; to register by noon Feb. 10, call 568-8723.

Feb. 15: Student Assessment/Faculty Assistance Day. No classes 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; evening classes, those beginning 4 p.m. or later, meet as scheduled.

Feb. 15 and 22 and March 1: Botanical Explorations Course, 7:30-9 p.m., Room 1208, Health and Human Services Building (Feb. 15 and 22), Allegheny Room, College Center (March 1): "Pandora's Box of Botany" features JMU biology Professor Emeritus Norlyn Bodkin teaching "An Exciting History of Botanical Explorations in Virginia: Can You Name that Plant in Your Garden?" (Feb. 15) and "Plant Architecture: Anatomy, Structure and Function" and "Flowers on Plants: Sex in the Garden" (Feb. 22) and JMU biology Assistant Professor Conley McMullen teaching an illustrated session on "Natural History of the Galapagos Islands"; sponsored by the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens; to register by Feb. 11, call 568-3194; $40 fee.

Feb. 17: Guest Speaker, "The Road to Leadership," Harrisonburg Mayor Larry M. Rogers, 7:30 p.m., Highlands Room, College Center: The mayor will give his perspective and tips on leadership and share his personal journey of becoming an influential community leader; a question-and-answer period will follow the mayor's talk; sponsored by the JMU Office of the Associate Vice President for Multicultural Awareness and Student Health; free.

Feb. 26: Science, Math and Technology Career Fair for Middle-School Girls, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Miller Hall: Sponsored by the Harrisonburg branch of the American Association of University Women; for information, call 564-2797.

PERFORMING ARTS

Feb. 2: Guest Artists, 8 p.m., College Center: The Claudia Quintet performs jazz music; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481; free.

Feb. 3: U.S. Army Band Concert, 7 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: For information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481; free.

Feb. 6: JMU Contemporary Music Festival Concert, 3 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Features JMU choirs, JMU Percussion Ensemble and guest artists, the Chester String Quartet and pianist Carsten Schmidt; 2 p.m., pre-concert conversation with guest composer Ofer Ben-Amots and JMU music Professor John Hilliard; admission is $2 at the door; for information, call 568-6664.

Feb. 7: JMU Contemporary Music Festival Concert, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Robert Dick, who is known worldwide for his flute performance, composition and teaching, performs; 7 p.m., pre-concert conversation with Dick; admission is $2 at the door; for information, call 568-6664.

Feb. 8: JMU Contemporary Music Festival Concert, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Features chamber music selections performed by JMU School of Music faculty and the Chester String Quartet; admission is $2 at the door; for information, call 568-6664.

Feb. 9: JMU Contemporary Music Festival Recital, 5 p.m., Anthony-Seeger Auditorium: Features JMU student compositions; for information, call 568-6664; free.

Feb. 9: JMU Contemporary Music Festival Concert, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Features chamber music selections performed by the Chester String Quartet and pianist Carsten Schmidt; admission is $2 at the door; for information, call 568-6664.

Feb. 10: Guest Artist, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Violist Lawrence Dutton, a member of the Emerson String Quartet, performs; tickets are $5 and $2; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481.

Feb. 11-12: JMU Dance Senior Concerts, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Studio 355, Godwin Hall: Features dance majors and minors showcasing their work; for information, call 568-6511; admission is $6 and $3 with JMU Access Card.

Feb. 13: JMU Chamber Orchestra Concert, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Admission is $2 at the door; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481.

Feb. 14-16: Benefit Theater Productions, 7 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, College Center Ballroom: "The Vagina Monologues" by Eve Ensler, directed by JMU theater major Crystal M. Munson, features a cast that includes JMU students and staff; for mature audiences; proceeds benefit Citizens Against Sexual Assault and the Women of Iraq; sponsored by the University Health Center and the V-Day student committee to raise awareness to stop violence against women and girls; tickets are $8 for the public and $5 for students at the Warren Hall Box Office through Feb. 11; tickets at the door are $10 for the public and $6 for students and will go on sale at 5 p.m. each day; for information, call 568-3503.

Feb. 16: Guest Artist, 8 p.m., Anthony-Seeger Auditorium: Kimberly Clark, flute, performs; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481; free.

Feb. 19: Guest Artist, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Vince DiMartino, trumpet; tickets are $5 and $2; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481.

Feb. 22-27: "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" Performance, 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre, Duke Hall: The musical by Rupert Holmes is a play-within-a-play, with the audience voting on the mystery's solution; tickets are $6 and $10; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

Feb. 23: Guest Artist, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Gail Sullivan, soprano; tickets are $5 and $2; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481.

Feb. 26: JMU Wind Symphony Concert, 1 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: For information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481; free.

Feb. 26: Bering Strait Concert, 7:30 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Classically trained in their native Russia, the members of Bering Strait blend bluegrass, country and rock sounds; the group has been nominated for a Grammy, played at the Grand Ole Opry and enjoyed lengthy profiles on "60 Minutes," CNN and National Public Radio's "Morning Edition"; tickets are $10, $15 and 18; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

Feb. 27: JMU Symphonic and Concert Bands Concert, 4:30 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Admission is $2 at the door; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481.

Feb. 28: Guest Artist, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Jean-Paul Sevilla, piano; for information, call the School of Music's Concert Hotline at 568-3481; free.

PROGRAMS

Feb. 1: Humanitas Lecture Series, 4-5 p.m., Room 404, Taylor Hall: JMU religion Assistant Professor Sushil Mittal presents "Ghandi"; for information, send e-mail to Dr. Kevin Hardwick at hardwikr@jmu.edu; free.

Feb. 2: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: JMU history Professor David Owusu-Ansah presents "The Modernization of Islamic Education"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

Feb. 4: First Fridays Brown-Bag Lunch Series, noon-1 p.m., Room 404, Taylor Hall: "Position Classification" is the topic of the session sponsored by Human Resources; to register, check www.jmu.edu/humanresources/management/brownbags.shtml; free.

Feb. 7: Humanitas Lecture Series, 4-5 p.m., Room 404, Taylor Hall: JMU philosophy Assistant Professor Steve Hoeltzel presents "Marx and Alienation"; for information, send e-mail to Dr. Kevin Hardwick at hardwikr@jmu.edu; free.

Feb. 8: JMU Contemporary Music Festival-Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 9:30 a.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Music Associate Professor Ofer Ben-Amots of Colorado College, whose compositions are performed in concert halls and festivals throughout Europe, Israel, Canada, the United States, South America and Japan, presents "Celestial Dialogues"; for information, call 568-6664; free.

Feb. 8: JMU Contemporary Music Festival Lecture, 11 a.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Festival guest Robert Dick presents "An Independent Career: Being Ahead of the Curve"; for information, call 568-6664; free.

Feb. 8: CommonHealth Program, noon, Room TBA, Taylor Hall: Sharon Buckner, CommonHealth regional coordinator, presents "Men's Health"; to register by Feb. 1, send e-mail to commonhealth@jmu.edu; for information, call Kristin Gardner, CommonHealth coordinator, at 568-7895; free.

Feb. 8: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

Feb. 9: Communication Sciences and Disorders Research Seminar Series, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., nTelos Room 259, ISAT/CS Building: Professor Lincoln C. Gray of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center presents "Mathematical Maps of Disease"; free.

Feb. 9: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: Kai Degner, director of the OrangeBand Initiative at JMU, presents "OrangeBand: Engagement Through Conversation"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

Feb. 9: JMU Contemporary Music Festival Lecture, 12:20 p.m., Room 305, Taylor Hall: JMU music Associate Professor James Hiatt presents "Music Theory: What's it Good For?"; for information, call 568-6664; free.

Feb. 9: Honors Program Symposium, 4:45-6 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: JMU integrated science and technology Associate Professor Eric Pappas presents "The American Way of Thinking"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

Feb. 10: Communication Sciences and Disorders Research Seminar Series, 4:30-5:30 p.m., nTelos Room 259, ISAT/CS Building: Professor Lincoln C. Gray of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center presents "Atypical Auditory Distractions in Children with Reading Disabilities and Attention Deficits"; free.

Feb. 10: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 5:30 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: Professor Beverly A. Sauer of Johns Hopkins University's Graduate Division of Business presents "Risk Communication"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

Feb. 15: Humanitas Lecture Series, 4-5 p.m., Room 404, Taylor Hall: JMU religion Professor Sallie King presents "The Buddha"; for information, send e-mail to Dr. Kevin Hardwick at hardwikr@jmu.edu; free.

Feb. 16: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: JMU honors students and Fugue staffers Rachel Eisley, Lauren Miner and others present "Unveiling Fugue: The Honors Program's Arts and Literary Journal"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

Feb. 17: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, noon-1 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

Feb. 17: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 7 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: American studies and English Associate Professor Richard S. Lowry of the College of William and Mary presents "Suffer the Children: Photography, Children and the Welfare of the Nation"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

Feb. 18: Shenandoah Valley Regional Studies Seminar, 3:35 p.m., Room 107, Jackson Hall: Gerry Kiefer of Shenandoah University presents "The Sublimity of Battle, The Quietude of Remembrance: Paintings, Drawings, Maps and Photographs of the Shenandoah Valley as a Theater of War"; for information, call JMU history Professor J. Chris Arndt at 568-3993; free.

Feb. 18: JMU Physics Seminar, 3:45 p.m., Room 31, Burruss Hall: Mike Hollis of the NASA Goddard Space, Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., presents "The discovery of various interstellar molecules with the new Green Bank Telescope"; free.

Feb. 21: Humanitas Lecture Series, 4-5 p.m., Room 404, Taylor Hall: JMU political science Associate Professor Scott Hammond presents "Faith and Reason"; for information, send e-mail to Dr. Kevin Hardwick at hardwikr@jmu.edu; free.

Feb. 21: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 7 p.m., Room 240, Duke Hall: Art education Professor Terry Barrett of Ohio State University presents "Art, Interpretation and Life"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

Feb. 23: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: JMU anthropology Associate Professor Laura Lewis presents "Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Black Mexico"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

Feb. 23: Economics Seminar Series, 4 p.m., Room 622, Zane Showker Hall: JMU economics Professor J. Barkley Rosser Jr., who holds the Kirby L. Kramer Chair of Business Administration, presents "Complexities of Dynamic Forestry Management Policies"; free.

Feb. 23: Honors Program Symposium, 4:45-6 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: JMU Assistant Professor Peter Pham of the Center for Liberal and Applied Social Sciences presents "From Colonialism to Humanitarianism: Reflections on Failed States, Conflict Resolution and American Foreign Policy Interests in Africa"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

Feb. 24: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 7 p.m., Room 240, Duke Hall: Suzanne Preston Blier, Allen Whitehill Clowes Professor of Fine Arts and professor of African and African American studies at Harvard University, presents "Trophy Heads: African Art, Politics and the Subaltern at Ancient Ife" about a series of terra cotta and brass heads dating from the 12th through the 15th centuries found at Ife, an ancient capital of the Yoruba culture in southwest Nigeria; for information, call 568-6472; free.

Feb. 24: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 7 p.m., Room 101, Miller Hall: History Associate Professor W. Greg O'Brien of the University of Southern Mississippi presents "Waging Peace in a Time of War: Irony and Neglect in Southeastern Indian Ethnohistory"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

GALLERIES

Feb. 1-13: Sawhill Gallery Exhibition, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Duke Hall: "Galaxy," a Web-based cyber sculpture by Tony Martin; commissioned by Electronic Arts Intermix, "Galaxy" is designed for visitors to interact with an online computer to determine the light, shape, sound and motion of the projected work; free.

Feb. 1-23: New Image Gallery Exhibition, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Zirkle House, 983 S. Main St.: "Acts of Light: Alyssa Salomon" features the Richmond photographer's exploration in the 19th century process of daguerreotype and cyanotype; artist's lecture, 3:35-4:50 p.m. Jan. 31 in Room 240, Duke Hall; artist's gallery reception, 7-9 p.m. Jan. 31; free.

Feb. 1-12: Zirkle House Exhibitions, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 983 S. Main St.: Artworks Gallery features art by JMU student Monique Milleson, The Other Gallery features art by Anya Berg and Madison Gallery features the Freshman/Sophomore Show; free.

Feb. 14-26: Zirkle House Exhibitions, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 983 S. Main St.: Artworks Gallery features art by JMU student Julia Murray, The Other Gallery features art by Heather Davis and Madison Gallery features art by Jonathan O'Brien and Jeff Guinn; free.

Feb. 21-March 4 and March 14-31: Sawhill Gallery Exhibition, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Duke Hall: "Joan Snyder: 'Sigh' and Selected Works" spotlights paintings and works on paper by the artist whose style melds abstract expressionism with the rhythms of the natural world; free.

Feb. 28-March 4 and March 14-19: Zirkle House Exhibitions, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 983 S. Main St.: Artworks Gallery features art by JMU student Matt Giordano, The Other Gallery features art by Sabrina Chapman and Madison Gallery features art by graphic design students; free.

MARCH 2005

SPECIAL EVENTS

March 3: IT Training Center Open House, 3 p.m., IT Training Center behind Buffalo Wild Wings: Showcases the center's new training labs; free.

March 7-11: Spring Break. Classes do not meet.

March 13: Residence halls open at noon.

March 16: James Madison Day, 2:30 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Former U.S. Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach is the keynote speaker; free.

March 30: Student Employment Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., College Center Ballroom: On-campus and local off-campus employers meet with students about part-time positions for summer 2005 and the 2005-06 school year; to register or for more information, contact Denise Meadows, job location and development coordinator, at meadowdr@jmu.edu or 568-3269; free.

March 30: Classified Service Award Luncheon.

March 31-April 1: Conference, "Freedom: Humanity's Unending Quest"; sponsored by Foreign Languages and Literatures in collaboration with English and Philosophy and Religion.

PERFORMING ARTS

March 3: JMU Symphony Orchestra Concert, 8 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Outstanding young musicians perform classics by the great masters under the direction of Dr. Robert McCashin; tickets are $6 and $8; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

March 20: "Stand By Your Man: The Tammy Wynette Story" Musical, 3 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: The musical by Mark St. Germain chronicles the country music star's life on and off stage and features 26 of her songs; tickets are $11, $20 and $22; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

March 31-April 2: JMU Student Dance Concerts, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Studio 355, Godwin Hall: Features dancers and choreographers; for information, call 568-6511; admission is $6 and $3 with JMU Access Card.

PROGRAMS

March 1: Economics Seminar Series, 3:45 p.m., Room G6, Zane Showker Hall: Max Sawicky of the Economic Policy Institute presents "Social Security: What Crisis?"; free.

March 1: Humanitas Lecture Series, 4-5 p.m., Room 404, Taylor Hall: JMU anthropology Assistant Professor Jennifer Coffman presents "The Politics of Genocide"; for information, send e-mail to Dr. Kevin Hardwick at hardwikr@jmu.edu; free.

March 2: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: Judith Dilts, associate dean of JMU's College of Science and Mathematics and a professor of biology, presents "Stem Cells: The Biology and the Bioethics"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

March 4: First Fridays Brown-Bag Lunch Series, noon-1 p.m., Room 102, University Services Building: "Tuition Waiver and Tuition Reimbursement" is the topic of the session sponsored by Human Resources; to register, check www.jmu.edu/humanresources/management/brownbags.shtml; free.

March 8: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

March 12: Gardening Lecture, 1 p.m., Highlands Room, College Center: Tony Avent, lecturer and writer and owner of Plants Delights Nursery in Raleigh, N.C., presents "Backyard Beauties: In Search of Overlooked and Exceptional Natives"; sponsored by the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens; $35 fee; to register by March 4, call 568-3194.

March 15: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 8 p.m., Room 1302, Health and Human Services Building: Philosophy Professor Christopher W. Morris of the University of Maryland presents "Does Anyone Think Terrorism is Justified?"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

March 16: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: Caleb Robinson, education and panels coordinator of Harmony, presents "Gay? Fine By Me. Dispelling the Myths about the GLBT Community"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

March 17: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, noon-1 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

March 17: Economics Seminar Series, 4 p.m., Room 622, Zane Showker Hall: Lucia Sbragia of the Catholic University of Milan and JMU presents "Oligopoly Games with Local Monopolistic Approximation"; free.

March 18: Shenandoah Valley Regional Studies Seminar, 3:35 p.m., Room 107, Jackson Hall: Laura Galke and Alison Bell of Washington & Lee University present "Longdale Mining Complex (c. 1827-early 1900s)"; for information, call JMU history Professor J. Chris Arndt at 568-3993; free.

March 18: JMU Physics, Mathematics and Philosophy Colloquium, 3:45 p.m., Room 31, Burruss Hall: JMU mathematics Professor G. Edgar Parker presents "When Worlds Collide: Why the Universe Must be at Best A not P"; free.

March 22: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 6 p.m., Anthony-Seeger Auditorium: Damien Top, president of the Centre International Albert Roussel and internationally acclaimed tenor, conductor and scholar, presents "Twentieth Century French Music"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

March 23: CommonHealth Program, noon, Room TBA, Taylor Hall: Sharon Buckner, CommonHealth regional coordinator, presents "Cancer Prevention: Action is Power"; to register by March 14, send e-mail to commonhealth@jmu.edu; for information, call Kristin Gardner, CommonHealth coordinator, at 568-7895; free.

March 23: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: JMU honors students Vera Wubah and Josh Barnes present "Study Abroad in Ghana"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

March 23: Economics Seminar Series, 4 p.m., Room 104, Zane Showker Hall: Catherine C. Eckel of Virginia Tech presents "Attractiveness and Trust: Does Beauty Confound Intuition?"; free.

March 23: Honors Program Symposium, 4:45-6 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: Assistant Professor Hiroshi Kitamura of the College of William & Mary's history department presents "The Hollywoodization of Asia: The Case of Japan"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

March 30: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: JMU Professor Ronald Kander, head of the integrated science and technology department, presents "Puzzle Me This: Teaching, Creativity and Problem Solving"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

GALLERIES

March 21-April 2: Zirkle House Exhibitions, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 983 S. Main St.: Artworks Gallery features art by JMU student Marin Abell, The Other Gallery features art by Hayley Osborne and Madison Gallery features art by graphic design students; free.

March 22-April 30: New Image Gallery Exhibition, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Zirkle House, 983 S. Main St.: The 14th annual "New Images Exhibition" is a juried competition for photographers in the mid-Atlantic states; opening reception, 7-9 p.m., March 22; free.

APRIL 2005

SPECIAL EVENTS

April 1: Faculty/Administrative Staff Award Luncheon.

April 9: JMU Relay for Life, Bridgeforth Stadium.

April 15: Integrated Science and Technology Senior Project Symposium, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., ISAT/CS Building.

April 15: JMU Board of Visitors Meeting.

PERFORMING ARTS

April 5-9: "Our Town" Performance, 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre, Duke Hall: The 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic celebrates the "magic of the mundane" with humorous, true-to-life characters and poignant situations every audience member will recognize; tickets are $6 and $8; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

April 7: Jim Brickman Concert, 7:30 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: The pianist, who has garnered a Grammy nomination, a pair of SESAC Songwriter of the Year awards, a Dove Award and a Canadian Country Music Award, presents a program melding the beauty of classical influences with the energy of contemporary pop; tickets are $11, $20 and $22; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

April 17: JMU Faculty Gala Scholarship Concert, 3 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Performances by School of Music faculty cover music from Bach to Gershwin, classical to jazz; proceeds from the concert go to the school's scholarship fund; tickets are $3 and $10; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

April 21-23: Contemporary Dance Ensemble in Concert, 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Latimer-Shaeffer Theatre, Duke Hall: JMU dance students and faculty and guest artists, including Toneta Akers-Toler, founder of the West Virginia Dance Company, and JMU alumna Donna Costello, perform; tickets are $6 and $10; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

April 24: "Sunday Afternoon in the Park" Concert, 3 p.m., Wilson Hall Auditorium: Features JMU concert bands presenting an old-fashioned band concert; tickets are $6 and $8; for reservations, call the Masterpiece Season box office at 568-7000 or (877) 201-7543 (toll free).

PROGRAMS

April 1: First Fridays Brown-Bag Lunch Series, noon-1 p.m., Room 259, ISAT/CS Building: "COVA Care Health Insurance" is the topic of the session sponsored by Human Resources; to register, check www.jmu.edu/humanresources/management/brownbags.shtml; free.

April 1: JMU Physics Seminar, 3:45 p.m., Room 31, Burruss Hall: Tony Calamai of Appalachian State University presents "Ion Trapping Techniques for Time-Resolved Mass and Radiative Spectroscopies"; free.

April 4: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 1:25 p.m., Room 108, Music Building: Music education Assistant Professor Carlos R. Abril of Northwestern University presents "Teaching Music in Our Diverse Social Milieu"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

April 5: CommonHealth Program, noon, Room TBA, Taylor Hall: Sharon Buckner, CommonHealth regional coordinator, presents "Minutes Matter" about the necessity for early treatment of a heart attack or stroke; to register by March 25, send e-mail to commonhealth@jmu.edu; for information, call Kristin Gardner, CommonHealth coordinator, at 568-7895; free.

April 5: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 7:30 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: Barbara J. Heath, director of archaeology and landscapes at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, presents "Archaeological Approaches to African American History in Virginia"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

April 6: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: JMU English Assistant Professor Michelle Smith-Bermiss presents "Playing Herself: Gender and Sexuality as Performed by Hip Hop's Lil Kim"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

April 6: Honors Program Symposium, 4:45-6 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: JMU Honors Program Assistant Director Karen Evans presents "Oral History: Stories of the Cherokee of Virginia"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

April 11: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 7 p.m., Room 142, Music Building: Music Associate Professor Jovino Santos Neto of Cornish College of the Arts presents "Brasil Universo: Universalism in Brazilian Music"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

April 12: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

April 13: Honors Program Brown-Bag Lecture Series, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Hillcrest House: JMU history Assistant Professor Kristen McCleary presents "Fashionably Late: Attire and the Construction of Gender in Buenos Aires' Theaters, 1890 to 1910"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

April 13: Honors Program Symposium, 4:45-6 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: JMU social work Assistant Professor B.J. Bryson presents "Queen Esther: The Welfare Mother"; for information, call 568-6953; free.

April 15: Economics Seminar Series, 3:30 p.m., Room 105, Zane Showker Hall: Roger R. Betancourt of the University of Maryland presents "The Role of the State in a 'Democratic' Transition: Cuba"; free.

April 15: Shenandoah Valley Regional Studies Seminar, 3:35 p.m., Room 107, Jackson Hall: Greg Lekavich of JMU presents "Serving the People: Exploitation of Local Government in Commercializing Augusta County Ordinaries, 1745-1775"; for information, call JMU history Professor J. Chris Arndt at 568-3993; free.

April 21: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, noon-1 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

April 27: Economics Seminar Series, 4 p.m., Room 622, Zane Showker Hall: JMU economics Associate Professor David W. Kreutzer presents "Making Something from Nothing: Business Models and Psychic Income in the Open-Source Software Market"; free.

April 27: Guest Speaker, 5 p.m., Room 238, Burruss Hall: Dr. Naomi Rose, marine mammal scientist for Humane Society International, presents "Why is This Dolphin Smiling?" about the welfare of marine mammals in captivity; sponsored by the biology department; free.

April 27: Visiting Scholars Program Lecture, 7 p.m., Room 159, ISAT/CS Building: Professor Karen A. Roberto, director of the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech, presents "Aging is Only a Number: Positive Expectations for the Second Half of Life"; for information, call 568-6472; free.

GALLERIES

April 4-17: Sawhill Gallery Exhibition, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Duke Hall: "MFA Degree Exhibition: Erin Zumwalt"; reception, 4 p.m. April 9; free.

April 4-16: Zirkle House Exhibitions, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 983 S. Main St.: Artworks Gallery features art by JMU student Charissa Goerge, The Other Gallery features art by Holly Lotts and Madison Gallery features art by Christi Farrell; free.

April 18-29: Zirkle House Exhibitions, noon-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and noon-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 983 S. Main St.: Artworks Gallery features art by JMU student Emily Shields, The Other Gallery features art by Holly Garlow and Madison Gallery features work by art history students; free.

April 26-May 1: Sawhill Gallery Exhibition, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Duke Hall: "JMU Undergraduate Exhibition" features the best of work in painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, fibers, jewelry, glass, photography, sculpture, interior design and graphic design; opening reception, 7 p.m. April 25; free.

MAY 2005

SPECIAL EVENTS

May 2-6: Final Exams.

May 7: Commencement.

May 30: University holiday. University closed.

PROGRAMS

May 6: First Fridays Brown-Bag Lunch Series, noon-1 p.m., Room 102, University Services Building: "Flexible Reimbursement Accounts: What Are They and How Do They Work?" is the topic of the session sponsored by Human Resources; to register, check www.jmu.edu/humanresources/management/brownbags.shtml; free.

May 10: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

May 19: JMU College of Graduate and Professional Programs Information Session, noon-1 p.m., Grace Street House: To register, check www.jmu.edu/cgapp/infosession; free.

Attractions

Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, open daily dawn to dusk, off University Boulevard: The arboretum contains a wide variety of trees and plants native to Virginia; call 568-3194 for tours; free.

Mineralogy Museum, open daily, second floor, Miller Hall: Features mineral specimens from around the world as well as a collection of Virginia specimens; call 568-6421 for tours; free.

Madison Art Resource Site, 9 a.m.-noon Monday and Wednesday, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and by appointment, Room 2102, College Center: The gallery and study center houses the 3,000-piece Madison Art Collection of artifacts and art objects from the Neolithic period to the 20th century; for information, call 568-6934 or send e-mail to Dr. Kathryn Monger at mongerke@jmu.edu; free.

JMU Meteorite Collection, open daily, John C. Wells Planetarium hallway, Miller Hall: Features fragments of meteoroids that survived passage through the atmosphere to fall to the earth's surface as masses of metal or stone; includes specimens from Diablo Canyon, Ariz., the Sahara Desert and the Central European Strewn Field; free.

Training

Computing Support: Send e-mail to [workshop@jmu.edu] or call 568-7845 to register for workshops. Check www.jmu.edu/computing/workshop/ for details.

Center for Instructional Technology: Call 568-7061 to register for workshops. Check http://cit.jmu.edu/training for workshop details and online registration information.

Integrated Information Systems: Send e-mail to nizerem@jmu.edu or call 568-2842 for information on PeopleSoft system training. Check http://www.jmu.edu/iis for information.