Artist William Hosie's collection of constructions that blend sculpture, architecture and mechanics is on exhibit. (Now through Dec. 14, University Gallery, UMass, 545-3670.)
Sculptor Nora Valdez will open her new collection, The Journey. (Opening reception Thurs., 4 p.m., Hampden Gallery, UMass.)
SELECT FLICKS
Cinemark at Hampshire Mall
(587-4233)
Gene Hackman and Owen Wilson star in "Behind Enemy Lines," a fast-paced thriller about a Navy pilot shot down over enemy territory.
Martin Lawrence falls into a time warp and conquers 14th century England in "Black Knight," a cheesy and tedious new comedy from Fox.
In "Domestic Disturbance," a child's life hangs in the balance between caring father John Travolta and evil stepfather Vince Vaughn, with Teri Polo as the boy's mother.
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is a delight for any reader of the bestselling series by J.K. Rowling. Talented child actors Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint shine in a plot that stays true to the magical novel.
"Heist" is a spooky step into film noir from the ubiquitous David Mamet. Gene Hackman and Danny DeVito join forces in an attempt to pull off the 'perfect' bank robbery. You know what they say about the best laid plans ...
Kevin Spacey stars as a loveable "alien" stuck under the care of Jeff Bridges in a mental institution in "K-Pax." Spacey and Bridges form a bond which will soon be interrupted when Spacey's character gets the call from the mothership, leaving a sappy trail of patients and friends behind.
Kevin Kline stars as a father battling an unfortunate midlife funk and the growing distance between himself and his family in the touching "Life as a House."
Shallow Hal" is the latest offensive offering from the infamous Farrelly brothers. The low blows and fat-jokes abound when Hal (Jack Black), a man whose brains appear to be perpetually situated in his ass, falls for a gargantuan woman cleverly disguised as Gwyneth Paltrow. Confused? So were we.
Pleasant Street Theater
(586-0925)
The Coen brothers teamed up with an impeccable cast to create "The Man Who Wasn't There," a highly-acclaimed film noir appropriately shot in black and white. Billy Bob Thorton plays a disgruntled barber from the 1940s who weaves an evil plot to get back at his unfaithful wife (Frances McDormand).
Writer-director Richard Linklater's artistic Waking Life is an animated journey that questions the mysteries of life and moves like an impresionistic dream.
STAGE
The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company joins the Dirty Dozen Brass Band to present When the Spirit Moves, a series of vignettes including New Orleans brass band jazz music and contemporary modern dance. (Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, UMass.)
The UMass Department of Theater and the Cold War Theatre Project will present "Diary of a Madman," a story of a 19th century Russian man becoming senile. The produc-tion will be presented in English and Russian (Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m., The Rand Theater, UMass.)
Celebrations Dance Company will present their annual program Sweet Masala. The program features the hip-hop group the Illmatics. (Fri. and Sat., 8 p.m., Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College.)
TALKS
Dr. Stewart Anderson '84 of the Weill Medical College of Cornell University will lead a neuroscience seminar titled Specification of GABAergic Interneurons in the Cerebral Cortex. (Thurs., 4:30 p.m., Merrill 131.)
Local welfare rights and anti-poverty activists and members of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union will speak on various topics including the effects of the 1996 welfare reform law, the affordable housing crisis, the feminization of poverty and the growing international movement for economic human rights. (Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Red Room (Cole Assembly Room), Converse Hall.)
Nationally-recognized social justice activist Elizabeth Toldeo will speak on Everyday Acts of Rebellion. The lecture will include how personal accounts and observations of individuals can improve society through activism. (Thurs., 7:30 p.m., first floor lounge of Chapin Hall.)
TUNES
Blues and soul princess Shemekia Copeland, who received a Grammy nomination for her latest album Wicked, will perform. (Fri., 7 p.m., Iron Horse Music Hall, Northamp-
ton.)
The Amherst College Music Department will present a dramatic production of Schubert's Winterreise. The production is the final project of the students in "Making Opera," a music class taught by Professor of Music Jenny Kallick. (Sat. and Sun., 8 p.m., Buckley Recital Hall.)
Jerry Noble, piano, and Bob Sparkman, clarinet, will explore Dixieland jazz textures. (Tues., 12:30 p.m., Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College.)
MISCELLANEOUS
A screening of "Benefit of the Sponsor," a dramatic film written and directed by Amherst playwright Richard Ballon, will be presented. (Fri., 7 p.m., Amherst Community Television, 246 College St.)
Boogie Down Productions will screen "Bronx Teens and Their Stories," a collection of short narrative films written, shot and directed by eight young filmmakers from The Ghetto Film School. (Fri., 8 p.m., Stirn Auditorium.)