Coming events

Acclaimed African-American studies scholar Manning Marable presents the keynote address for Black History Month at 7 p.m. today in the Student Center Auditorium. Marable is founding director of the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University, and an expert on hip-hop politics.

The 2007 Journeys Productions: Bill B — which consists of new plays by SIUC student playwrights — is set for 7:30 p.m. today in the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theater. Performances are also scheduled for Friday, Feb. 9, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. Bill A performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 10. The box office is open from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and one hour before each performance. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for senior citizens, $6 for students and children. Call 618/453-3001 to charge by credit card.

Guest conductor Adrian Gnam joins the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra for "Music We Love," at 7:30 p.m. today at Shryock Auditorium. Gnam and symphony orchestra music director Edward M. Benyas, a professor in the School of Music, will perform a concerto for two oboes. Tickets are $19; $13 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 15 and younger. Tickets may be ordered through Ticketmaster at 866/646-8849, at any Ticketmaster outlet, or in person at the SIU Arena ticket office or the Student Center central ticket office. SIUC students are free with a valid SIUC student ID.

The nationally ranked Saluki men's basketball team hosts Bradley at 7:35 p.m. today at the SIU Arena. The Salukis are ranked No. 20 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, and No. 21 in the Associated Press poll. Tickets are $18 to $20 in the lower bowl; $12 in the upper bowl; $8 for high school-aged students and younger. SIUC student tickets are free with a valid SIUC student ID on game day.

The SIU swimming and diving team hosts the Women’s Missouri Valley Conference Championships, Thursday, Feb. 8, through Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Edward J. Shea Natatorium in the Student Recreation Center. Preliminaries get underway at 10 a.m. each day; finals begin at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The SIU women's basketball team hosts Bradley at 7:05 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9, at the SIU Arena. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, youths, faculty and staff. SIUC student tickets are free with a valid SIUC student ID on game day.

The SIUC percussion improvisation ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9, in Altgeld Hall, Room 112. Ronald E. Coulter, a lecturer in the School of Music, is performance director. Admission is free.

The Saluki men's basketball team hosts Creighton at 5:05 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at the SIU Arena. Although the game is a sell-out, ESPN2 will broadcast the game.

The SIU women's basketball team hosts Northern Iowa at 2:05 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11, at the SIU Arena. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, youths, faculty and staff. SIUC student tickets are free with a valid SIUC student ID on game day.

The 2006 Salsa World Champions, Abel Pena and Zulmara Torres, are coming to SIUC's Student Recreation Center to perform from 8 to 10 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 11. Admission is free.

The Student Center Craft Shop hosts the International Bazaar/Valentine's Day Craft Fair, Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 13-14. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first floor. The craft fair is a great opportunity to experience and purchase unique and homemade craft items. Featured items will include include pottery, jewelry, SIU merchandise, gift baskets, crocheted items, soap, beaded flowers, and soy candles. Admission is free.

Momix Modern Dance brings its highly athletic performance to Shryock Auditorium, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13. Tickets are $28; $22 for senior citizens 60 and older and children 15 and younger. Tickets may be ordered through Ticketmaster at 866/646-8849, at any Ticketmaster outlet, or in person at the SIU Arena ticket office or the Student Center central ticket office.

Hip-hop artist Yung Joc performs at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $23. Tickets may be ordered through Ticketmaster at 866/646-8849, at any Ticketmaster outlet, or in person at the SIU Arena ticket office or the Student Center central ticket office.