Happening in February

February – the month when children exchange valentines as delivery trucks carry countless dozens of roses to homes and offices across the country – offers a lot to love for those seeking things to do on campus.

This includes a host of events recognizing Black History Month, performances by students in the School of Dance and the School of Theatre, Film and Television, opportunities for parents to learn about their children's developing brains, a chance to hear from inspiring UA women working in STEM fields, and the College of Science's lecture series exploring the search for certainty.

Get more details below, or check out the Master Calendar.

Events Recognizing Black History Month | Throughout February

In recognition of Black History Month, African American Student Affairs, UA Athletics and Presidential Events will hold events throughout the month.

African American Student Affairs also will showcase a different black historical figure and their contributions to history every day in February on social media using the hashtag #28DaysofBlackHistory.

Events presented by African American Student Affairs include:

• A Feb. 4 town hall meeting by the Coalition of Black Organizations, a UA organization that aims to unite the UA's black community. The coalition will meet at 5 p.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center, 1322 E. First St.
• On Feb. 12, a talk titled "Racism: Is Christianity the Problem or the Solution?" will be held at 7 p.m. in Crowder Hall. George Yancy, a professor of sociology at the University of North Texas will give the talk and take questions from the audience.
• A Feb. 14 screening of "Love Jones," a 1997 romantic drama starring Larenz Tate and Nia Long. The screening will be at 7 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Center.

For more information about Black History Month events offered by African American Student Affairs, contact Jaborius Ball at jball1@email.arizona.edu.

Other events planned to mark Black History Month:

• Presidential Events will host David Molapo, a management consultant, educator and motivational speaker from South Africa, on Feb. 11. Molapo will speak about the choice of positive change and effective leadership, and the talk will include lessons Molapo learned from Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid revolutionary and former president of South Africa. Molapo also will take questions from the audience. Molapo's presentation will include a performance by Bongi and Collin Damans, who will perform jazz and gospel songs. The talk, titled "Keep Hope Alive, Even in Changing Times," is scheduled for 4-5:30 p.m.; the location has not been finalized. For more information, contact Presidential Events at 520-626-4349 or presrsvp@email.arizona.edu.
• On Feb. 13, Athletics will host a discussion titled "Athletes in Action" about the history of black athletes as agents of change. The discussion will be led by Bryan Carter, associate professor of Africana studies and director of the Center for Digital Humanities. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Hillenbrand Auditorium in McKale Memorial Center.

Performances – 'Top Girls' and 'Dances From the Heart' | Throughout February

Among the fine arts offerings during February are two shows featuring UA students.

Students in Arizona Repertory Theatre –­ the School of Theatre, Film and Television's professional training company – will give 17 performances of "Top Girls" between Feb. 3 and Feb. 24. Set in the United Kingdom during the early 1980s – after the country appointed its first female prime minister – "Top Girls" celebrates women throughout history.

School of Dance students and faculty will give six performances between Feb. 13 and Feb. 17 of "Dances From the Heart," featuring numbers by both guest and faculty choreographers. The centerpiece of the show is "Na Floresta," by Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato, which previously has been performed only by professional ballet companies.

"Top Girls" is being performed in the Tornabene Theatre, 1025 N. Olive Road. Click here to buy tickets. "Dances From the Heart" is being performed in the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre, 1737 E. University Blvd. Tickets can be purchased here.

Brain Waves Parenting Classes | Feb. 6 and 27

Did you know a 3-year-old's brain is twice as active as an adult's? Or that it is impossible to spoil a baby during the first six months of life?

Since July 2015, Brain Waves classes, presented by the Family Engagement Program at Pima County Cooperative Extension, have covered these topics and more as they help parents understand how their children's brains develop and learn. The classes, primarily for parents of children 5 and younger, aim to give parents and caregivers the tools to create a rich learning environment for their children, and are available in English and Spanish.

Two classes will be held in February at 5 p.m. at Tucson Village Farm, 4210 N. Campbell Ave.

Talk – 'BIO5 Inspiring Women in STEM' | Feb. 9

This interactive panel and keynote will feature seven women from the UA community who have distinguished themselves in STEM fields.

The panelists include BIO5 Institute Director Jennifer Barton, three faculty researchers, and both an undergraduate and a graduate student. Dr. Jil Tardiff, professor of medicine and of cellular and molecular biology and vice chair for research in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, will deliver the keynote address.

The event was organized by Lexi Carbine, an undergraduate studying physiology and psychology who also is a BIO5 student ambassador intern. She says she found inspiration in other female scientists working at the institute and decided to devote her internship to planning this event.

The event is open to all, and runs from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Thomas W. Keating Bioresearch Building, 1657 E. Helen St. Registration is required; click here to sign up.

"BIO5 Inspiring Women in STEM" is one of several events throughout February showcasing innovative research at the UA. The celebration will culminate on Feb. 27 with a BIO5 open house and reception.

UA Science Lecture Series | Feb. 12, 19 and 26

The 14th annual College of Science lecture series continues in February with presentations related to the theme "Searching for Certainty." Lectures in the series, which began in January, address some of the biggest debates and discoveries in science today.

On Feb. 12, Dr. Donata Vercelli, professor of cellular and molecular medicine, will talk about the microbial world within us that is revolutionizing biology and medicine. Vercelli is also associate director of the UA Asthma and Airway Disease Research Center and director of the Arizona Center for the Biology of Complex Diseases. A Feb. 19 lecture by physiology and neuroscience professor Dr. Katalin Gothard will explore the dialogue between humans' brains and their bodies, and how that dialogue is critical for our well-being. Anna Dornhaus, Ph.D., professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, will discuss how scientifically rigorous hypothesis testing forces us to accept that we generally share both less and more mental experience with other organisms than we think in her Feb. 26 lecture.

All lectures are free and held in Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd.

Kids Create | Feb. 16

Presented by the Poetry Center, Kids Create is three hours of workshops, music, activities and refreshments for children 10 years old and younger. The day begins with an hourlong creative writing workshop, with different versions offered for different age groups.

The workshops will be followed by a breakfast, featuring healthy food and coffee, and live music by Kyklo that both kids and adults will enjoy. Drop-in writing activities, games and typewriters also will be available in the center's library.

Kids Create is held at the Poetry Center, 1508 E. Helen St. The event is free and open to the public.

Widescreen Wednesdays Film – 'The Truman Show' | Feb. 20

This semester's Widescreen Wednesdays series features movies about film and television. Faculty in the School of Theatre, Film and Television select their favorite films for screening, and provide insight about the films' history and significance to the entertainment industry.

"The Truman Show" follows Truman Burbank, played by Jim Carrey, living an average life in the town of Seahaven Island. But Burbank discovers he's the unwitting star of "The Truman Show," a reality show that is broadcast 24 hours a day.

The 1998 film will be introduced by assistant professor Anna Cooper. Screenings are free and held at the Center for Creative Photography, 1030 N. Olive Road.