Today is Marie Antoinette’s 253rd birthday, so watch Sofia Coppola’s film based on her life and eat…what else...cake!

Today is the birthday of Ella Wheeler Wilcox, born in 1850. A poet, she penned the immortal words, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone.” She also wrote that “Love lights more fires than hate extinguishes.” 

Today is the 141st birthday of Marie Curie, who, among other achievements, came up with the theory of radioactivity as well as discovering and naming the element “polonium,” and being the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. 

“I would rather feel things in extreme than not at all.” Bonnie Raitt, legendary musician, activist and feminist, turns 59 today. 

Tickets are now on sale for the Art in the Library Gala set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. For this one special night the Paul Sawyier Public Library will be turned into an art gallery with original works of artist Paul Sawyier on loan from various sources, including the Kentucky Historical Society, Farmers Bank and Bill Coffey of Paul Sawyier Galleries, as well as some from private residences. The evening's event will include music, wine and hors d'oeuvres.

Artists Laura Mentor, who created the library's stained glass windows and Doris Thurber, who designed the batik panels in the Children's Section of the library, will be on hand to talk about their art. Bill Coffey, an expert on Paul Sawyier, will be talking about the original Sawyiers on display. In addition, there will be cameo performances by the actors from the Paul Sawyier Story.

Tickets may be purchased from the Farmers Bank main branch, Poor Richard's Bookstore, the Friends of the Library Bookstore, and the administrative offices of the library for $15 per person. If an individual or business would like to help sponsor the event, a sponsor's ticket may be purchased for $30. Sponsors will be listed in the Gala program.

For more information, call Patty at 502.223.1317.

7:30pm Saturday, Nov. 8

Cabaret legend Andrea Marcovicci continues to entertain sold-out audiences from coast to coast touring one of her numerous critically acclaimed shows. She has appeared regularly at the Oak Room of New York's legendary Algonquin hotel since 1987. This summer Andrea debuted at Steppenwolf in Chicago with “I'll Be Seeing You...Love Songs of WWII.” That show was a recreation of her most requested show and has played throughout the country and in Normandy in recognition of the original 'Band of Brothers' who were immortalized by the HBO series. Tier One: $32 Tier Two: $28 Tier Three: $25

Tickets can be purchased through www.singletarytickets.com or 859.257.4929.

Abigail Adams was born on this day in 1744. Unlike the previous First Lady (Martha Washington), Abigail took an active role in politics and policy—some opponents referred to her as “Mrs. President.” (Don’t we wish.) 

7:30pm, Wednesday, Nov. 12

Exploding with color, energy, and sensuous rhythm, Ballet Flamenco & Jose Porcel bring the vibrancy of flamenco to the stage. Jose began his career in Sevilla, Spain, and has worked with all of the titans of Spanish dance. Porcel and his dance company have showcased flamenco throughout the world, providing an invaluable window on Spain's rich history. Don't miss your chance to enjoy this lavish, colorful celebration of Gypsy song and traditional Spanish dance. Tier One: $32 Tier Two: $28 Tier Three: $25

Tickets can be purchased through www.singletarytickets.com or 859.257.4929.

Whitaker Bank Candlelight Tour Weekend, "An Enchanting Celebration" runs Nov. 13-16 This year this magical festival has been expanded to include an entire weekend full of holiday events…carriage rides on THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, Old Capitol Christmas tree lighting and entertainment on Friday, A Bourbon Tasting and dinner at Serafini's on Saturday, and the shops will be open from 1-5 on Sunday and that afternoon we're hosting another "Downtown Living Tour."  Invite your family and friends to come along and join in the fun!

Susan Bordo, acting director of Gender and Women's Studies, professor of English and Gender and Women's Studies and the Otis A. Singletary Chair in the Humanities, will introduce the film and lead discussion afterward. Dr. Bordo often comments on and writes about gender and film for both popular and scholarly publications.

"[This]dead-clever doc lets the famous rockers who volunteer their time (Carrie Brownstein, Beth Ditto) fade into the background and focuses on the amazing kids who grow and rock at camp...The film uses an aesthetic borrowed from zines, music videos and campy mental hygiene films, a Kathleen Hanna-heavy soundtrack and tons of sociological data. Most impressive, however, is the fact that they refuse to portray Rock 'n' Roll Camp as idyllic, exposing the flaws - catfights, pariahs - that exist even in a girl-positive space."--- Sarah Liss, Now Magazine "Irresistible"-- Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times [Girls Rock!] deftly explor[es] issues of empowerment, popularity, body image, anger and the enemy that is Britney Spears. Bring your daughters."--- Moria Macdonald, Seattle Times

A collaboration between Gender and Women's Studies and the Student Center's Late Night Film Series, this screening received generous support from the Student Center Director's Office for the public performance rights to this film.

Susan Bordo, acting director of Gender and Women's Studies, professor of English and Gender and Women's Studies and the Otis A. Singletary Chair in the Humanities, will introduce the film and lead discussion afterward. Dr. Bordo often comments on and writes about gender and film for both popular and scholarly publications.

"[This]dead-clever doc lets the famous rockers who volunteer their time (Carrie Brownstein, Beth Ditto) fade into the background and focuses on the amazing kids who grow and rock at camp...The film uses an aesthetic borrowed from zines, music videos and campy mental hygiene films, a Kathleen Hanna-heavy soundtrack and tons of sociological data. Most impressive, however, is the fact that they refuse to portray Rock 'n' Roll Camp as idyllic, exposing the flaws - catfights, pariahs - that exist even in a girl-positive space."--- Sarah Liss, Now Magazine "Irresistible"-- Mary Houlihan, Chicago Sun-Times [Girls Rock!] deftly explor[es] issues of empowerment, popularity, body image, anger and the enemy that is Britney Spears. Bring your daughters."--- Moria Macdonald, Seattle Times

A collaboration between Gender and Women's Studies and the Student Center's Late Night Film Series, this screening received generous support from the Student Center Director's Office for the public performance rights to this film.

The Lexington Singers celebrates its 50th season with "Sing in the New" at 8pm Saturday, Nov. 15, at UK's Singletary Center for the Arts.

Premiere of commissioned works by the renowned composer, René Clausen, and local composers, Jay Flippin and Johnie Dean.

Call: SCFA, 859.257.4929, for tickets: $18 regular; $15 senior; $12 student

“Normal is not something to aspire to; it's something to get away from.” Jodie Foster was born on this day in 1962.

November 19 GWS Film Series, Finding Christa (Camille Billops, James Hatch; 1991; 55 min.) Gaines Center's Bingham-Davis House, 218 E. Maxwell Street (7pm)

"In 1962 [the filmmaker] gave up her 4-year-old daughter, Christa Victoria, for adoption. Eighteen years later, Ms. Billops, who had since married and become a painter and sculptor, was reunited with Christa. [Finding Christa is a] documentary about that reconciliation, and what a mass of fascinating contradictions it is!...[This film]is a densely packed amalgam of feminism, individualism, interracial relations, art and show business..[A]rich and haunting film."-Vincent Canby, New York Times. 1992 Sundance Film Festival, "Grand Jury Prize"

Commentary and discussion led by Kathi Kern, Associate Professor of history, whose research focuses on the ways in which politics, gender, and religion have mixed to create new ideological positions and social change in the United States. She also has a particular interest in the history of adoption in the U.S. which is rooted in her own adoption.

4pm Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008

Grand Ballroom, Student Center Book signing and reception to follow. Open to the public.

Sponsored by the UK Gender and Women's Studies Program with the support of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School, Departments of English, History, Geography, Sociology, the Discovery Seminar, Honors Program, the Writing Initiative, Social Theory Program, Central KY Council on Peace and Justice and Berea College Women's Studies Program.

Katha Pollitt's witty and incisive essays have won numerous awards and earned her devoted readers the world over. Best known for her "Subject to Debate" column in The Nation, Pollitt has also written for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New Republic, Harper's, Ms., Glamour, Mother Jones, The New York Times and the London Review of Books, and appears frequently on radio and television. Her most famous essays are widely anthologized, used in colleges courses, and compiled in four critically acclaimed books, the latest of which is Learning to Drive and Other Life Stories.

Join us for our latest "skirt! after work"social event - "Wishing for Berried Treasure" - at The Melting Pot, 152 West Tiverton Way, in Lexington from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. Featuring antique and period jewelry fashions from St. John & Myers, chocolate and fine-aged cheese fondues, and Chambord drinks specials.