Hear Russian poet Sergey Gandlevsky read from his award-winning work. An important figure in the Soviet-era literary underground, Gandlevsky was unable to publish in Russia until the fall of the Soviet Union. His memoirs and books of poetry have since garnered major literary prizes including both the Little Booker Prize and the Anti-Booker Prize for "Trepanation of the Skull" (1996). Gandlevsky will read in Russian, accompanied by Philip Metres, who will read his English translations. (Wed., Oct. 5, 4:30 p.m., Amherst Center for Russian Culture, Webster Hall. No admission charge.)

Literature readings not your cup of tea? Explore your budding interest in social security reform at a lecture by Peter A. Diamond, Institute Professor at MIT. Diamond has written extensively on social insurance and public finance and is the co-author of the very influential "Saving Social Security: A Balanced Approach." (Thurs., Oct. 6, 4 p.m., Cole Assembly Room, Converse Hall. No admission charge.)

The fine arts take center stage at the College with artist Glenn Goldberg, who will lecture on his works, some of which are exhibited at locations such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at the Cooper Union School of Art in New York. Goldberg's lecture will coincide with an exhibition of his work in the College's Eli Marsh Gallery. (Thurs., Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m., Pruyne Lecture Hall, Fayerweather Hall. No admission charge.)

Get into the mood for the Homecoming festivities with UMass' 31st Annual Multiband Pops on Homecoming Weekend. A fast-paced showcase of jazz, percussion and wind music and dance, participants will include the Chapel Jazz Ensemble, Dance Program, Jazz Ensemble I, MASS Marimba Band, Minutemen Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Symphony Band, UMass Marimba Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Wind Ensemble. (Fri., Oct. 14, 8 p.m., Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, UMass. $12 for students.)

Editors' DVD Pick of the Week

"A Knight's Tale" is required viewing for all disillusioned with Chaucer and all that is Middle English. A recently released, special edition DVD of the classic 15th century mix of rock music and jousting features an amazing 11 behind-the-scenes featurettes. Watch Heath Ledger, as erstwhile peasant and champion jouster Will, win the heart of his beloved with the help of Paul Bettany's hilarious Geoffrey Chaucer. "Canterbury Tales" be damned, this tongue-in-cheek parody of medieval England promises more entertainment than the wife of Bath. You might even learn something useful.