Coming events

"Outside the Box," the second annual Festival of New Music at SIUC, continues through Wednesday, April 16. Presented by the School of Music, "Outside the Box" features more than 20 concerts and events at various locations across campus and in Carbondale involving dozens of composers and musicians from SIUC plus a variety of guest composers, performers, and ensembles. Most concerts and events are free, all are open to the public. For details about these and more events, visit "Outside the Box '08."

Enjoy home-cooked foods prepared by SIUC international students and organizations celebrating various heritages from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 11, during the "Taste of the World Potluck" at the Student Recreation Center’s Alumni Lounge. The event is part of Asian American Heritage Month.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus presents "The Greatest Show on Earth," Friday, April 11 through Sunday, April 13, at the SIU Arena. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $40 to $30, and are available at the SIU Ticket Office in the SIU Arena. Tickets may also be ordered by phone at 618/453-2000 or through Ticketmaster at 866/646-8849, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

The SIU men's baseball team hosts Bradley in a three-game series this weekend at Abe Martin Field. The Salukis play single games at 2 p.m., Friday, April 11, and 2 p.m., Saturday, April 12, and then close the series at 1 p.m., Sunday, April 13. Admission is free.

The SIU women's tennis team host three teams this weekend to close out the home part of this season’s schedule. The Salukis face St. Louis at 3 p.m., Friday, April 11; Northern Iowa at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 12, and Drake at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 13. The matches are at University Courts, but will be held at Sports Blast in Carbondale in case of inclement weather. Admission is free.

Professor Solomon Polachek, University Distinguished Professor at Binghampton University (SUNY), presents the Sixth Annual Vandeveer Chair Lecture at 6 p.m., Monday, April 14, in the Student Center Auditorium. Admission is free. Polachek’s lecture is titled, "Sex in the Marketplace: Why Men Earn More Than Women."

Rev. Mel White, an award-winning television producer, filmmaker, pastor, seminary professor and author, presents the keynote address for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Awareness Week at 7 p.m., Monday, April 14, in Student Center Ballroom D. Admission is free.

The SIUC student chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association hosts a conference on "Disability Awareness and Community Integration," Tuesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Center river rooms. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and is $10 for students, $30 for National Rehabilitation Association members and $40 for non-members. The event is open to the public and anyone interested in learning about rehabilitation, health and disabilities is welcome to attend. Throughout the day, several sessions and presentations will examine relevant rehabilitation and disability issues. Burton Pusch, a lecturer in the Rehabilitation Institute, will deliver the keynote address, "Community Integration: Future Foundations." Carl Flowers, former president of the National Rehabilitation Association and associate professor at SIUC, will discuss the challenges facing returning injured veterans. To register for the conference or for more information, contact the Rehabilitation Institute at 618/453-8223.

The SIU men's baseball team hosts Southeast Missouri State at 3 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, at Abe Martin Field. Admission is free.

A panel featuring SIUC faculty and administrators representing a variety of departments will discuss multiculturalism and how it is viewed by today’s standards at the second annual "Redefining Multiculturalism in 2008" at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, in the Student Center’s Saline Room. Admission is free. The event is part of Asian American Heritage Month.

The Student Speaker’s Forum discusses college drinking and its impact on student life during a panel discussion at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 15, in the SIU School of Law Auditorium. The panel discussion is sponsored by the Society for Civil Discourse and SIUC’s Department of Speech Communication. Admission is free.

Tennessee William’s "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof," performed by the Montana Repertory Theater, appears at Shryock Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 15. Tickets are Tickets are $30, $25 and $10. SIUC students receive a $5.00 discount with proper ID. Children 12 and under receive a $5.00 discount. Order tickets at ticketmaster.com/shryock, by calling 866/646-8849, or visit the SIU Ticket Office in the SIU Arena, or several other Ticketmaster outlets.

The SIU women's softball team hosts Evansville in a doubleheader Wednesday, April 16, at Charlotte West Stadium. The first game begins at 4 p.m.

Veteran journalist David E. Sanger presents a lecture, "China, Japan & India: The Rise of America’s Strategic Competitors," at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, in the SIU School of Law Auditorium. Sanger is chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times. Admission is free.

Please visit the SIUC Public Events Calendar for information on these and many other events on campus.