The Amherst College Zumbyes present their annual winter concert Jambo! performing a cappella songs with the possible appearance of a banana suit. Tickets will be on sale next week in Valentine during lunch and dinner hours and will also be sold at the door. Fri., 8 p.m., Johnson Chapel. Tickets are $4.
As part of the College’s celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Harlem Gospel Choir will perform at Amherst. Consisting of Harlem’s most outstanding gospel singers, the choir’s performance will include traditional and contemporary gospel, jazz and blues. Fri., 8 p.m., Buckley Recital Hall. Tickets are required.
Amherst College women will perform “The Vagina Monologues: Retelling the Story.” Their rendition incorporates Eve Ensler’s original script with the stories of Amherst women. All proceeds from the performance benefit the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT). Thurs., Fri., 7:30 p.m., Sat., 6:30 p.m., Cole Assembly Room, Converse Hall. Tickets are $5 with student ID. To reserve tickets contact ACVaginaMonologes@gmail.com.
Lectures / Readings
As part of the opening of the “Janet Fish: Into the Light” exhibition, Janet Fish will give a lecture on her work. Her art focuses on light, atmosphere, motion and lush, saturated color. Fish’s exhibit runs from Feb. 7-29. Thurs., 7 p.m., Art Museum, Gamble Auditorium, Mt. Holyoke College. No admission charge.
The Smeltzer family will share Andrea’s Voice, the story of their daughter’s battle and loss with bulimia. Using their daughter’s own words as well as extensive research from many experts, the Smeltzers promote awareness of eating disorders in an attempt to prevent the illness. Mon., 6 p.m., Franklin Patterson Main Lecture Hall, Hampshire College. No admission charge.
Biangyi Huang will present the Louise R. Weiser lecture “Homelessness: On Early Chinese Conceptualism.” Huang earned her Ph. D. in art history from Yale University, and will lecture on issues related to contemporary Chinese art. Tues., 7 p.m., Art Museum, Gamble Auditorium, Mt. Holyoke College. No admission charge.
Professor Elam of Smith College, as Kennedy Professor in Renaissance Studies will give a lecture entitled “Michelangelo and the Medici.” Elam is a renowned examiner in the history of art and an expert in Florentine architecture, art and patronage during the Renaissance. Tues., 5 p.m., Graham Hall, Hillyer, Brown Fine Arts Center, Smith College. No admission charge.
In a lecture entitled “My Body and I,” Professor Jonathan Westphal of Idaho State University will speak about philosophy of mind and philosophy of language as they relate to our understanding of concepts of the self, body and mind. Thurs., 4:30 p.m., Babbott Room, Octagon. No admission charge.
Activities
The Amherst Swing & Ballroom Dance Club will offer their first swing dance lessons of the semester. Come alone or with a friend! Tues., 8 p.m., Hamilton basement. No admission charge.