Coming events

A sushi demonstration and workshop - part of Asian Awareness Month - will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, in the Student Center's Craft Shop. People attending can work alongside chefs while learning the art of making sushi. The event costs $6.25 and includes the demonstration, buffet and sushi. For reservations, contact Old Main Restaurant at 618/453-1130.

The SIUC Jazz Combos, under the direction of Philip Brown, an associate professor in the School of Music, performs at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 26, at Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. Admission is free.

The SIUC Horticulture Society's two-day plant sale is Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28. The sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The sale is in front of the Agricultural Sciences building near Lincln Drive.

A Flat Bottle Workshop BYOB-E will be held from 11 a.m. to noon, Friday, April 28, in the Student Center's Craft Shop. Using a glass slumping kiln, the melted, flattened glass bottles can be used as a coaster, cutting board or sun catcher. The coat is $3 per bottle. Bottles may also be dropped off for those who cannot make a session. Here are some photos of flattened bottles.

Ran Ackerman, a senior marketing manager with EL AL Airlines Maintenance and Engineering, will provide an international perspective on the industry Friday, April 28. A 1996 graduate of SIUC's aviation management and flight program, Ackerman is guest speaker at the Global Aviation Organization's annual recognition dinner. The dinner begins at 6 p.m. in the Student Center's Old Main Restaurant. The dinner is $15 for students; $25 for non-students. Tickets are available from GAO members, in SIUC's Aviation Management and Flight office in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts Room 127, and at the weather/dispatch counter in Southern Illinois Airport's main terminal between Carbondale and Murphysboro.

Teresa Goddu, associate professor of English at Vanderbilt University, delivers the 2006 Harry T. Moore Lecture, "Things that Speak: Antislavery Fairs and the Culture of the Marketplace," at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 28 in Moore Auditorium, Faner 1326. Admission is free. The event is sponsored by the Department of English.

Revisit the tales of love in old Rome when the theater department presents the opening weekend of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Friday, April 28-Sunday, April 30 in McLeod Theater. The performance is under the direction of J. Thomas Kidd, assistant professor in the theater department. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 28, and Saturday, April 29, and 2 p.m., Sunday, April 30. There is a pre-performance lecture at 1:30 p.m., Sunday, April 30, in the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theater in the Communications Building. General admission tickets are $15 adults; $12 for senior citizens 60 and older, and $6 for students and children. The box office is open from noon to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and one hour before each performance. Call 618/453-3001 to charge by credit card.

SIUC’s campus and Campus Lake will be bustling Saturday, April 29, during the 23rd annual Robert "Doc" Spackman Memorial Triathlon. The event honors the late Robert "Doc" Spackman, SIUC’s long-time athletics trainer and nationally recognized expert on physical fitness. The event - which consists of a 385-yard swim, five-mile bike and two-mile run - begins at 8 a.m. The triathlon is open to the first 25 teams and $300 individuals. Contact Kathryn L. Hollister, assistant director of Recreational Sports and Services, at 618/453-1267 for more information or an entry form.

It's time again to make, or at least try to make, that fantastic voyage with the annual Great Cardboard Boat Regatta. The fun is from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, April 29, at Campus Lake. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at the Boat Dock. Only on-site registratration is accepted, and the entry fee is $12 per boat. A limited number of instant boat kits are available. If you don't want to make a full-sized boat, teeny, tiny boats to race in horse troughs will be available. For more information, contact Larry Busch at 618/549-5677 or Larry Briggs at 618/453-7550

The closing picnic for Asian Awareness Month is from noon to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 30, at Bucky’s Haven at Thompson Lake. Admission is free.

The University Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Joseph Breznikar, a professor in the School of Music, performs at 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 1, at Shryock Auditorium. Admission is $3 for the general public; $2 for students.

The University Guitar Ensemble, under the direction of conductor Ronald E. Coulter, a lecturer in the School of Music, performs at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 2, at Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall . Admission is $3 for the general public; $2 for students.

The 2006 Virgin College Mega Tour featuring Yellowcard and Mae is at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 2 at the SIU Arena. Tickets are $23 for the general public and $18.50 for students, and are available at the SIU Ticket Office in the SIU Arena. Tickets may also be ordered by phone through Ticketmaster at 866/646-8849, or at any Ticketmaster outlet.

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