"And it was at that age ... Poetry arrived/in search of me." The Spanish Department and Food for Thought Books will be presenting a poetry tribute to Pablo Neruda, one of the most famous poets of the modern age and the man responsible for the beautiful line above. This year marks the 30th anniversary of his death and his 100th birthday. Poets, activists, teachers, students and other Neruda fans will come together to read, listen to and discuss favorite Neruda poems. (Wed., 7 p.m., Stirn Auditorium.)

Assistant Professor of History Rick Lopez will give a talk entitled "Modern Flappers and Traditional Indians: Policing the Female Body in 1920s Mexico." The 1920s marked the end of the Mexican Revolution and was a crucial time in Mexican cultural history. Cultural and political leaders launched an effort to unite the fragmented population. In 1921, the nation witnessed the India Bonita contest, a competition devoted to indigenous beauty and aesthetics. The contest attempted to bring native culture to the center of national consciousness, but Lopez investigates how cultural leaders and the mass media used the contest to criticize new forms of female liberation. (Thurs., 7:30 p.m., Five College Women's Studies Research Center, 79 College St., South Hadley.)

Jason Mraz and Steadman are coming to town! Why you should care: Mraz is the latest TRL skinny-white-boy sensation, a sort of 2003 John Mayer; Steadman is endorsed by Paul McCartney, who has enthused that Steadman has "that rare quality-the ability to deliver!" Separately, Mraz and Steadman are unstoppable, but together, they have the potential to destroy entire worlds. You don't want to miss this. (Thurs., 8 p.m., Calvin Theater, Northampton. Tickets $25 at 584-1444.)

And then, slightly edgier skinny white boys will be gracing the Valley in the form of Good Charlotte, who will follow performances by Something Corporate and Mest. Best known by their song "Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous," the members of Good Charlotte are emerging stars on the indie-rock scene. Though Something Corporate and Mest are slightly less mainstream, those in the know will enjoy the opening show by these two up-and-coming indie bands. (Fri., 7:30 p.m., Mullins Center, UMass. Tickets, $26 at 545-3001.)

Frostbite getting you down? Packaging summer dresses into storage? Yeah, fall's pretty much here ... but go have a final summer fling by catching Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean." Johnny Depp, as Captain Jack Sparrow, gives a performance for which mere words cannot do justice: he'll have you shrieking with surprise and grasping your tummy with laughter-and though you'll try to explain it to friends afterwards with gestures and superlatives, you won't be able to. The rest of the movie's not bad, either-in a summer of disappointing blockbusters, this was the one solid adventure that satisfied. One low point: pouty damsel in distress Keira Knightley, irritating as fingernails on a blackboard.