EVENTS

Wednesday, Dec. 1

Distinguished Lecture Series: Jody Williams. Morrison Center. 7 p.m. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Jody Williams will speak on “Human Security in an Insecure World,” arguing that if the security needs of individuals and communities are disregarded, and all emphasis is placed on national security, sustainable global peace and security will not be achievable. Free, no tickets required. Free parking. For more information, visit boisestate.edu/distinguishedlectures.

Brava! Stage Concert Series: “Spondee and Apple Horse.” Student Union Brava! Stage. 7 p.m. Free. Presented by the Student Programs Board. For more information, e-mail Steven Palin at spbconcerts@boisestate.edu.

Fall Jazz Concert. Special Events Center. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $5 general, $3 seniors, free to students of all ages and Boise State faculty and staff. Call 426-1596.

Thursday, Dec. 2

“Katsura: The Photographs of Ishimoto Yasuhiro” reception. Student Union Gallery. 4:30-6:30 p.m. The Japan Foundation and Consulate General of Japan in Portland, Ore., in coordination with Boise State’s Student Union Fine Arts Program, present “Katsura: The Photographs of Ishimoto Yasuhiro.” The exhibition is in the Student Union Gallery from Dec. 2 through Jan. 9. A public reception will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 2. Light refreshment will be provided and free parking is available.

“Dinner for Shmucks” (PG-13). Special Events Center. 7 p.m. A rising executive succeeds in finding the perfect guest for his boss’s monthly event, “dinner for idiots,” which offers certain advantages to the exec who shows up with the biggest buffoon. Sponsored by the Student Programs Board. $1 general, free for Boise State students. For more information, visit spb.boisestate.edu.

Oakridge Boys Christmas. Morrison Center. 7:30 p.m. Featured songs include “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue” and many Christmas favorites. $42-$52. Tickets are available by calling 426-1110, at all Select-a-Seat outlets, at the Morrison Center box office or online at IdahoTickets.com. For more information, e-mail Virginia Treat at virginiatreat@boisestate.edu.

Friday, Dec. 3

Literature for Lunch. Boise Public Library, 715 S. Capitol Blvd. 12:10-1 p.m. This month’s book is “The Clothes on Their Backs,” by Linda Grant. The sensitive, bookish child of timid Hungarian refugee parents, Vivien Kovacs learns to navigate British society and, by forging a relationship with her criminal uncle, come to terms with her hidden heritage. The monthly book discussion is free. For more information, e-mail cherylhindrichs@boisestate.edu or cmartin@boisestate.edu.

Comedian Rodney Carrington. Morrison Center. 7 p.m. Rodney Carrington, a comedian, actor and writer, has recorded eight major comedy albums selling more than 2 million copies. Recommended for mature audiences. $44.25. Tickets are available by calling 426-1110, at all Select-a-Seat outlets, at the Morrison Center box office or online at IdahoTickets.com. For more information, e-mail Virginia Treat at virginiatreat@boisestate.edu.

MFA Reading Series: Sandra Doller and Ben Doller. 7:30 p.m. Student Union Hatch C Ballroom. Sandra Doller (née Miller) and Ben Doller (né Doyle) blended their last names to symbolize their artistic and personal partnership. Both are educators and established poets, and their work experiments with structure on the page and with digital media such as audio and film. Free. For more information, contact Torin Jensen at torinjensen@boisestate.edu.

Senior Composition Recital, Matt Durrant. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 7:30 p.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Saturday, Dec. 4

Boise State Football v. Utah State. Bronco Stadium. 1 p.m. Call 426-4737 or visit IdahoTickets.com.

Senior Voice Recital, Michael Stear. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 3:30 p.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Sunday, Dec. 5

Annual Family Holiday Concert. Morrison Center. 7:30 p.m. This year’s program features the music of Leroy Anderson, including “Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride,” and variations on “Jingle Bells” and “Christmas Time is Here.” An audience sing-along will be threaded throughout the evening, accompanied by Department of Music chair Mark Hansen. The event will be narrated by Larry Gebert from KTVB Channel 7 and includes performances by Boise State’s Symphony Orchestra, choral groups and the University Percussion Ensemble. All proceeds benefit the Department of Music Scholarship Fund. $8 general, $6 seniors, $1 children and non-Boise State students at all Select-a-Seat locations beginning Nov. 19. Boise State students, faculty, staff and alumni may each receive one free ticket with ID by visiting the Student Union Info Desk, Morrison Center or Taco Bell Arena box offices. For more information, call the Department of Music at 426-1596.

Monday, Dec. 6

Jitendra Kavathekar, IEEE Computer Society. Student Union Bishop Barnwell Room. 6:30 p.m. Jitendra Kavathekar, president and CEO of Twiki Inc., will speak on “The Social Enterprise — Getting Beyond Facebook.” The talk is free. A banquet preceding the talk is $20 for IEEE members and guests or $25 for non-members. Student members pay $10 and the event is free for IEEE officers. RSVP by Nov. 29 at http://tinyurl.com/bcs2010.

Tuesday, Dec. 7

Winter Choral Concert. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 7960 W. Northview St., Boise. 7 p.m. The Boise State Music Department presents its annual Winter Choral Concert featuring the Boise State Meistersingers, University Singers, Vox Angeles Women’s Ensemble and Northstar Charter School choirs. There will be traditional Christmas carols, Hanukkah music and sing-along carols. Free; donations are welcome at the door. For more information, call 426-1596.

Clarinet Studio Recital, Students of Leslie Moreau. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 7:30 p.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Thursday, Dec. 9

All Campus Concert Band. Special Events Center. 7:30 p.m. $5 general, $3 seniors, free to students of all ages and Boise State faculty and staff. Call 426-1596.

Student Chamber Music Recital. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 7:30 p.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Friday-Saturday, Dec. 10-11

“Eat Dance.” Morrison Center’s Danny Peterson Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 p.m and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. This eclectic dance concert will feature the work of 11 choreographers, including Boise State students, Idaho Dance Theatre company members and Marla Hansen, director of the dance program at Boise State. This performance is suitable for families; no babies please. Tickets are $7 for general admission and $5 for students, seniors and members of the military at the door. Call 426-3568 or e-mail mhansen@boisestate.edu.

Friday-Sunday, Dec. 10-12

“The Nutcracker.” Morrison Center. 8 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Dec. 11; 2 p.m. Dec. 12. Ballet Idaho continues a holiday tradition with the family classic “The Nutcracker.” Featuring the Boise Philharmonic Orchestra. $25-$55. Tickets available at the Morrison Center box office, by phone at 426-1110, at any Select-a-Seat outlet, or online at IdahoTickets.com. E-mail Virginia Treat at virginiatreat@boisestate.edu.

Friday, Dec. 10

Holiday Chemistry Demo Show. Student Union Jordan Ballroom. 6:30 p.m. This annual family-friendly Holiday Chemistry Demo Show kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a demonstration of cool experiments and amazing science tricks by faculty and staff. This will be followed by hands-on activities and holiday crafts at 7:30 p.m. Free. For more information, e-mail mikennasummers@u.boisestate.edu.

Percussion Ensemble Concert. Morrison Center Room B125. 7:30 p.m. $5 general, $3 seniors, free to students of all ages and Boise State faculty and staff. Call 426-1596. Canceled.

Saturday-Monday, Dec. 11-13

Clay and Fire Ceramics Exhibition and Sale. Liberal Arts Building Visual Arts Center Gallery 1. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Boise State University Department of Art invites the community to its semiannual Clay and Fire Exhibition and Sale. Held each spring and fall for nearly 40 years, the sale has become a tradition for many in the Treasure Valley. It features hundreds of original ceramic pieces, ranging from elegant to exotic, made by Boise State students, faculty and alumni. A portion of the proceeds benefits Boise State’s Visiting Artists in Ceramics program. Free. For more information, contact Jim Budde at 426-3608 or jbudde@boisestate.edu.

Saturday, Dec. 11

Senior Cello Recital, Andrea Ivis. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 11:30 a.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Senior Piano Recital, Victoria Bird. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 1:30 p.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Junior Violin Recital, Anna Babichenko. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 3:30 p.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Senior Composition Recital, Michael Gebhart. Morrison Center Recital Hall. 5:30 p.m. Free. Call 426-1596.

Holidays Around the World. Student Union Jordan Ballroom. 6-8 p.m. This annual event features fundraisers, crafts, food, performances and activities for the whole family. There will be a visit from Santa and performances by several student groups. Free. For more information, call 426-5950.

Upcoming Events: Dec. 13-31

Friday, Dec. 17

Commencement. Taco Bell Arena. 10 a.m. Free. For more information, visit http://academics.boisestate.edu/provost/commencement/.

Saturday, Dec. 18

Boise Philharmonic: “The Messiah.” Morrison Center. 7:30 p.m. Featuring the Boise Philharmonic and the Boise Master Chorale. $15-$35. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit boisephilharmonic.org and click on the “Messiah” link.

Sunday, Dec. 19

“A Christmas Carol.” Morrison Center. 2 p.m. Five actors bring this Christmas tale to life with their voices and expressions and your imagination. Part of the Family Reading Series. $6-$10. For more information, visit mc.boisestate.edu.

Tuesday-Wednesday, Dec. 21-22

Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Taco Bell Arena. 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 21; 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 22. This production replicates on a grand scale the “Christmas Spectacular” at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The show features show-stopping Rockette numbers, dazzling costumes, dramatic lighting, breathtaking imagery and festive musical compositions. $37.50-$89, plus a children’s discount. Tickets can be purchased at the Taco Bell Arena Box Office, at all Select-a-Seat outlets, online at IdahoTickets.com, or by phone at 426-1766.

Friday-Friday, Dec. 24-31

Holiday Break. University offices closed.

EXHIBITIONS

Through Dec. 7. “One Trick Pony,” BFA Thesis Exhibition. Visual Arts Center Gallery 1 (Liberal Arts Building) and Gallery 2 (Hemingway Western Studies Center). Graduating students in the Fine Arts program will display a variety of media and approaches in an exhibition of their work titled “One Trick Pony.” Works on paper, painting, printmaking, sculpture, neon and more will be presented on the walls, floors and ambiguous spaces. Themes addressed in the work include spirituality, identity, memory and social structure in the form of architecture, language and gender. Free. The galleries are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday. Call 426-3994.

Through Jan. 9. “Katsura,” The Photographs of Ishimoto Yasuhiro. Student Union Gallery. Photographer Ishimoto Yasuhiro is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential figures in the development of postwar Japanese photography. Among his most celebrated bodies of work, his photographs of the legendary 17th century Katsura Imperial Villa in Kyoto infuse images of the iconic structure with a New Bauhaus aesthetic. This exhibition of 50 black-and-white photographs presents Ishimoto’s attempt to liberate tradition through a contemporary viewpoint.

Through Jan. 10. “Paintings from Exile.” Special Events Center Lobby. This exhibit by Boise artist Bill Blahd is created to be intellectually intriguing and challenging for viewers. Part of a series, these works pay homage to some of the artists and art movements that have inspired Blahd and his art along the way. Free. For more information, contact finearts@boisestate.edu or call 426-1242.