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:
Performances
Shakespeare in the Pavilion Theatre and the Arboretum at Penn State — 6 & 7:15 p.m., Thursday, April 19, at the Pavillion Theatre, and Sunday, April 22, at the Arboretum at Penn State's Poplar Court, University Park campus. Actors from the School of Theatre will perform excerpts from "Romeo and Juliet," "The Merchant of Venice," and "Othello." Free.
Hoodie Allen — 8 p.m., April 21, Junker Center, Penn State Behrend. Long Island rapper Hoodie Allen, who recently released a debut album that peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard rap charts, will perform his unique brand of hip hop.
Newsboys — 6 p.m., April 22, Bryce Jordan Center, University Park campus. Long-running and popular Christian rock act Newsboys will bring their trademark sound to Penn State.
White Rabbit Red Rabbit — 7:30 p.m., April 22-26, 119 Theatre Building, University Park campus. Forbidden to leave his country, Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour distilled the experience of an entire generation born amidst the hardship of the Iran-Iraq war into a wild, utterly original play that features no rehearsals, no director and no set. Free.
Adam DeVine — 8 p.m., April 24, Bryce Jordan Center, University Park campus. The popular comedian and actor, known for starring roles in "Pitch Perfect" and "Workaholics," will bring his comedy stylings to the BJC.
Concert and Symphonic Band performances— 7 & 8:30 p.m., April 25, Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park campus. The Concert and Symphonic Bands will perform their final concerts of the semester, featuring a variety of compositions.
Events
"Plastic Paradise" screening — 7 p.m., April 19, Flex Theatre, HUB-Robeson Center, University Park campus. “Plastic Paradise” is a critically acclaimed, feature-length documentary that takes viewers on a journey to the North Pacific Ocean to examine the mysterious Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Free.
"Food Evolution" screening — 7 p.m., April 19, State Theatre, State College. The film takes an in-depth look at a number of controversial food issues across the globe, including GMOs, and is presented by the Penn State Council on Agricultural Innovation. Free, but reservation encouraged.
Human Library — 1 to 5 p.m., April 20, Pattee Library and Paterno Library, University Park campus. At the Human Library, readers can sign up to hear the life stories told by “human books.” Penn State faculty, students and staff can check out a “book” to learn more about another person’s experiences in a supportive, safe environment. Free.
Lion Ambassadors' Lantern Tours — 7 to 9 p.m., April 20, Old Main, University Park campus. The community is invited to celebrate Penn State’s history by joining Lion Ambassadors at Old Main for a night of 1950s-themed activities, entertainment and historical tours. Free.
Earth Day celebration — 2 to 6 p.m., April 22, HUB-Robeson Center lawn, University Park campus. Eco Action and People’s Climate Movement will host a campus and community Earth Day Celebration. Local music groups will perform during the event, which will also have food, speakers and presentations from student organizations.
Student Farm plant sale fundraiser — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 27, Headhouse 2 near the Berkey Creamery, University Park campus. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to get your spring seedlings, redecorate your home and support a great cause benefiting students.
Monster Truck Nationals — 6:30 p.m., April 28, Bryce Jordan Center, University Park campus. Buckle up for the rush as you cheer these American heroes as they roar in with speed, intensity and thundering power. See Bigfoot, Raminator, Bad News Travels Fast, Heavy Hitter and Basher at this year's Monster Truck Nationals. Tickets required.
Lectures
“Bilingualism: Myths and Facts" — 10 to 11:30 a.m., April 21, in 100 Thomas Building, University Park campus. Janet Van Hell, professor of psychology and linguistics, will debunk myths and present facts about learning multiple languages and raising bilingual children.
Transgender Activist Aiden James Kosciesza — 1 p.m., April 26, 115 Evelyn Graham Academic Building, Penn State Hazleton. Kosciesza, a transgender writer, speaker, activist and professor of English at the Community College of Philadelphia, will speak at Penn State Hazleton's annual diversity presentation.
Exhibits
"Signed, Steeled, and Delivered" — April 16-24, University Park campus. ART 330 Metal Fabrication and Mixed Media students will present an outdoor exhibition featuring works of art installed at various locations around the campus.
"Pop at the Palmer" — Jan. 9-May 13, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. Prints from the museum's permanent collection by Pop Art notables such as Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, Andy Warhol and Claes Oldenburg. Free.
"Dox Thrash, Black Life and the Carborundum Mezzotint" — Jan. 16-May 20, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. The exhibit features Philadelphia-based artist Dox Thrash, who pioneered a new approach to printmaking known as the carborundum process in the late 1930s. Free.
"What Big Eyes You Have! Looking at the Wolf in Fairy Tales" — Jan. 16-May 13, Eberly Family Special Collections Library exhibition room, 104 Paterno Library, University Park campus. The exhibit takes a close look at historical depictions of the wolf in well-known and lesser-known fairy tales. Free.
"Home: Contemporary Indigenous Artists Responding" — Feb. 26-Aug. 21, Walter and Dori Goldstein Music and Media Center, Pattee Library, University Park campus. A dozen indigenous artists feature their works in printmaking. Free.
"Plastic Entanglements" — Feb. 13-June 17, Palmer Museum of Art, University Park campus. Sixty works explore the complex story of plastic. Free.
"Depth of Field" — March 8-Aug. 14, Diversity Studies Room, Pattee Library, University Park campus. The exhibit offers an unfiltered look at war photography and assesses its impact on audiences. Free.
"Keith Lemley: A Theory of Everything" — Oct. 26, 2017-Sept. 30, 2018, Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., State College. Penn State alumnus and artist Keith Lemley will craft a new work that combines maple and neon and unify them through geometry and form. Free.