The Leading Edge

Events

Monday, Feb. 16

The 2015 Corvallis Queer Film Festival will run from February 16-20 at the Darkside (215 SW 4th). This year’s line-up includes five recently released films along with three short films by local filmmakers. All films screened free of charge. Visit “Corvallis Queer Film Festival” on Facebook for trailers, schedule, and other details (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Corvallis-Queer-Film-Festival/345075528971156?ref=hl) Or write to Bradley Boovy at bradley.boovy@oregonstate.edu.

Is the U.S. at War? What does war look like today? —  Join us for a town hall discussion on war and the United States of America. We will begin with an all-star panel discussion that will explore how the U.S. and the world  have responded to various types of threats. Then it’s your turn to stand up and let your citizen voices be heard. Dave Miller, the host of Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Think Out Loud,” will moderate the discussion, which will be recorded for broadcast at a later date. 6 p.m. Old World Deli, 341 S.W. Second Street, Corvallis.

Wednesday, Feb.18

Please mark your calendars for today’s ADVANCE event —  STEM/Liberal Arts Meeting: 9:30-10:30 a.m. These quarterly transdisciplinary conversations are intended to foster conversation and collaboration across the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Memorial Union Room 213.

Mission to Earth:  Land Art and Sustainability — The way we are living is unsustainable. If art allows us to see things anew, can it also help reshape our dwelling on earth? David Wood will look at the legacy of earth art, and discuss his own IntraTerrestrials project and other recent work. After a brief lecture on the philosophical challenges of climate change we will have the chance for an informal talk (snacks for lunch will be served).  7 p.m. Corvallis Arts Center, 700 SW Madison, Corvallis.

Distancia: Film Screening and Q&A with Producer Aaron Inman — The Religious Studies Club welcomes producer and director Aaron Inman, who will join us to view and discuss his short film Distancia, which was just screened at the 2015 Santa Barbara Film Festival. Distancia tells the tale of a disabled Latino immigrant, living in Los Angeles and struggling with loneliness and questioning life, when he is faced with an unexpected conversation with God.   After the film, Inman will talk about his role as a filmmaker at the intersection of film and faith. 7 p.m. Memorial Union, Journey Room.

Friday, Feb. 20

2105 The Year of the Sheep —World Languages and Cultures invites you to a celebration of the Chinese New Year! Please join us from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m, in 210 Kidder Hall.

Music a la Carte features the Left Coast Sax Quartet of Eugene. The free concert takes place at noon in the Memorial Union Lounge.

Anthropology Tan Sack Series — Assistant Director of the African Studies and Latin American and Caribbean Studies Programs at the University of Washington Jackson School of International Studies, Dr. Monica Rojas-Stewart, will give a lecture and demonstration of the instruments and dances of Afro-Peru. Monica will also talk about the recent work she has been doing with the Afro-Latino arts community in Seattle. The lecture and demonstration, “‘African Diasporic Music in Peru and Latin America” will be in 201 Waldo Hall at noon.

Psychological Science Winter Colloquium Series — Dr. Patti Lou Watkins from SPS will be discussing alternative approaches to teaching about weight in behavioral and health science classes. These colloquium happen every other Friday in Reed Lodge 111 from 4:00-5:00 p.m.

News

Assistant professor of history Christopher McKnight Nichols appeared on OPB last week to do live comments on President Obama’s recent press conference on ISIS and the Middle East.

Current Research, Publications and Creative Activity

Director of the popular music program at Oregon State Dana Reason recently performed with French bassist, composer, and vocalist Joelle Leandre, on the Creative Music Guild’s Confluence Visiting Artist Series at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Portland.

Assistant professor of music Jason Silveira recently presented a session titled “Informances: Concerts that Teach” at the Northwest Division of the National Association for Music Education conference in Spokane, Wash.