Polish your shoes and dust off your Sunday finest for a production of the 1956 Broadway hit "Candide." This fully staged 50th anniversary musical features songs by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Amherst alumnus and former U.S. Poet Laureate Richard Wilbur '42. Directed by New York City Opera director A. Scott Parry, "Candide" follows its title character as he circles and stumbles about the globe in search of his childhood love, Cunegonde. (Thurs. to Fri., 8 p.m., and Sat., 2:00 & 8:30 p.m., Buckley Recital Hall. No admission charge for Amherst students.)

Already deluged with an inordinate number of reading assignments and problem sets? Perhaps the solution lies in opera. For the first time anywhere, the Five College Opera Project has combined two short operas written centuries apart, "La Liberazione di Ruggiero," by Francesca Caccini, and "L'Enfant et les Sortilèges," by Maurice Ravel. The performance tells the tale of young Enfant, who, captivated by a tale of knights and magic, is unable to complete his assignments. (Fri. to Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 3 p.m., Theater 14, Mendenhall Center, Smith College. Tickets are $5 for students.)

Start off the Year of the Dog on the right paw with a night of culture and revelry. Join Mt. Holyoke College's Chinese Cultural Association for a culture show to celebrate the new lunar year. After the show, continue the China Night festivities at the after party and dance the night away. (Sat., 7 to 10 p.m., Chapin Auditorium, Mary Woolley Hall, Tickets $4. After Party: 2 a.m., Blanchard Great Room. Tickets $3. Both events at Mt. Holyoke College.)

Whether you are suffering from a guilty conscience, the troubles of the world, or just outright bored, the solution to all that ails you lies at the Spring Community Involvement Fair. The Community Outreach Office invites you to work as a volunteer, intern or activist on issues such as tutoring/teaching, law, environment, health, anti-racism, hunger/homelessness and economic development. (Tues., 7 to 8:30 p.m., Friedmann Room, Keefe Campus Center. No admission charge.)

Editors' DVD Pick of the Week

A remake of the 1962 film, "The Manchurian Candidate," as directed by Jonathan Demme, is an above average thriller. It keeps the audience in suspense and at the edge of its seats for the whole ride. The film follows a paranoid Gulf War veteran, played by Denzel Washington, convinced that there is something off-kilter about the leading presidential candidate and fellow veteran, portrayed by Liev Schreiber. Adapted from its original Cold War setting, the 2004 remake touches on a variety of issues relevant at the time, all the while taking jabs at big businesses and the sway they have over politics. Plus, catch Tony-winning Amherst alum Jeffrey Wright '87 in a supporting role!