People to See, Places to Go (Part 1)

Wednesday February 3:

The Russell Library begins a new monthly Film Discussion series (to be held the first Wednesday of the month through May) on this day.  "The Many Faces of Marlon Brando", hosted by Richard Alleva (film critic for Commonweal Magazine), will focus the actor's fascinating career beginning with Elia Kazan's brilliant 1954 film, "On the Waterfront."  Co-starring Eva Marie Saint (pictured), Rod Steiger, Karl Malden, and Lee J. Cobb, the movie has been hailed as one of the best of the 20th Century.  The screening starts at 12 noon and is free and open to the public. Bring your lunch.  For more information, call 860-347-2528, extension 135.

The Distinguished Writers Series at Wesleyan presents Hilton Als at 8 p.m. in The Russell House, 350 High Street.  Als, the English Department's Distinguished Visiting Writer for 2009-2010, is the author of "The Women", a meditation on gender, race, personal identity, and the biographical subject. A staff writer at The New Yorker since 1996 and a recipient of the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism, Als has also edited and contributed to numerous books and museum catalogues. "Richard Pryor: A Novel" is forthcoming from Farrar, Straus and Giroux. The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, call 860-685-3448 or go to www.wesleyan.edu/writing/distinguished_writers/.

Thursday February 4:

Wesleyan Professor of Anthropology and spoken-word artist Gina Ulysse, a native of Haiti, will perform her one-person show, "Because When God is Too Busy: Haiti, Me and the World" at 6:30 p.m. in the CFA Hall (formerly the CFA Cinema, near the Zilkha Gallery.)  The program is filled with amazing images, stories, myths, poems, songs and more. After the performance, Professors Elizabeth McAlister and Alex Dupuy will talk about the ongoing situation in Haiti. The event is part of Wesleyan University's Haiti Relief Action Team.  There will also be a series of concerts held on campus.  To find out more, view the invite at  http://www.facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=283166183727&ref=mf.

Bob Gotta hosts the Acoustic Open Mic at 7 p.m. in The Buttonwood Tree.  If you wish to take part, sign-ups begin at 6:30. 

Friday February 5:

The Liviu Pop Group performs at 9 p.m. in Boney's Music Lounge, a venue that has become the drummer's new home.  Joining him will be Joe Grieco (keyboards, vocals) and Tom Majesky (guitar.)