Today
n "Color Balance: Paintings by Felrath Hines," an exhibit featuring abstract paintings, is on view today through May 9 at the Ackland Art Musuem. The Ackland is off Columbia Street near the intersection with Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. Hours are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
n As part of its second annual Solar Energy Symposium, the UNC Solar Energy Research Center will sponsor a public forum at 5 p.m. The public is invited to view presentations and participate in interactive displays on green energy technologies as well as to discuss the issues directly with a panel of scientific, business and government leaders who are leaders in their field. The event is at the William and Ida Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill. Call (919) 962-8415 or visit http://www.serc.unc.edu/conference/conference.pdf for information on the free event.
n The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company presents "Fondly Do We Hope, Fervently Do We Pray" at 8 p.m. Tony Award-winning choreographer Jones' new dance-theater work challenges and celebrates the legacy of Abraham Lincoln. Call (919) 843-3333 or http://www.carolinaperformingarts.org/ for more information on the performance at Memorial Hall, 208 E. Cameron Ave., Chapel Hill.
Saturday
n Practice your birding skills with an expert at 9 a.m. and see what species are in the Eno River Park this time of the year. Participants must be at least 12 years of age. Space is limited so call for reservations at (919) 383-1686. Visit www.ncparks.gov for more information.
n Dance Theater will perform "LABYRINTH" by the Studio A Dancers of Chapel Hill at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.. Join Sarah as she enters a magical world of fantastical creatures on her journey through the Labyrinth to rescue her little sister from the wicked Goblin King. In the Labyrinth, nothing is as it seems. Based on the 1986 fantasy film. The story will be narrated and is appropriate for young audiences. The performance will be at East Chapel Hill High Auditorium, 500 Weaver Dairy Road. Visit http://www.dancentre.net or call (919) 967-4100. Tickets are $5.
n Join a geology hike at 2 p.m. at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. Explore the pyrophyllite quarry with a real geologist. Call (919) 383-1686 to register, as space is limited. Meet at Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough.
n The All-Carolina Invitational Male Choral Festival Concert is at 6 p.m. at Hill Hall Auditorium. Call (919) 962-1039 or visit http://music.unc.edu/. Tickets are $5.
n Catie Curtis with Lindsay Mac will perform at the ArtsCenter at 8:30 p.m. The vivid songwriting of Curtis combines insightful lyrics with soulful strumming and energy. Much of her music entails emotional narratives that the audience can relate to. She has written about domestic violence, corporate greed, religion, homelessness, peace, and gay issues. The concert is part of The ArtsCenter's 7th annual American Roots Series. The ArtsCenter is at 300-G East Main St., Carrboro. Call (919) 929-2787 or visit http://www.artscenterlive.org/. Tickets are $18.
Sunday
n Learn from a park ranger how to identify some of the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area's "bare trees" at 1 p.m. Call (919) 383-1686 to register. Space is limited. The area is on Virginia Cates Road, Hillsborough.
n The Parlor Concert Music Series offers musical concerts in historic homes. Come enjoy the Shamrocker's traditional and modern Celtic music at 4 p.m. at 104 W. Queen St, Hillsborough. The Shamrockers play their own renditions of traditional and modern tunes, original compositions and tunes drawn from European and American sources. Call (919) 643-2500 or visit http://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/ for information. The cost is $17.50, and includes a reception.
n UNC women's basketball takes on Maryland at 5:30 p.m. in Carmichael. Call (919) 962-2296 or visit www.tarheelblue.com. Tickets are $12.
n The 25th Annual University/Community Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Banquet will be at 6 p.m. at the Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Drive. This year's keynote speaker will be Rev. Mitchell Simpson of University Baptist Church. For ticket information and availability, call (919) 962-6962 or go to www.unc.edu/diversity/mlk/.
n The Soweto Gospel Choir will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall as a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For ticket information, visit www.carolinaperformingarts.org or call 919-843-3333.
Monday
n The UNC Chapter and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will sponsor its annual Martin L. King, Jr. Day Rally, March and Worship Service at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join them for a peaceful rally, followed with a march down Franklin Street starting at the Post Office at 179 E. Franklin St. that starts at 10:15 a.m. The march will end at First Baptist Church, where the worship service will start at 10:30 am. www.unc.edu/diversity/mlk/
n "He Was a Poem, He Was a Song" will take place at 7 p.m. This annual event will explore Martin Luther King Jr's legacy through music, poetry and spoken word. Community members, faculty, staff and students will convene to celebrate King's life and work. The program will feature performances by the Triad Youth Jazz Society and the UNC a cappella group Tar Heel Voices. A reception will follow. For information, contact Lotticia Mack at lmmack@email.unc.edu. The event will take place in the Hitchcock Multipurpose Room, Stone Center, 150 South Road. Visit www.unc.edu/diversity/mlk/.
Tuesday
n "From MLK to 'Milk' " will be the topic of this year's Campus Y speaker, Cleve Jones. He created the AIDS Quilt, is portrayed in the movie "Milk" and is critical to the AIDS movement. He will address how gay and lesbian rights relate to King's vision of a world where all people are created equal. For information, contact Emily Zuehlke, zuehlke@email.unc.edu. The event will be at the Great Hall at 7 p.m. Visit www.unc.edu/diversity/mlk/.
n Victor Flatt, the Tom Elizabeth Taft Distinguished Professor in Environmental Law in the School of Law at UNC, and student Mike Mian, a junior, will share their thoughts at 7 p.m. on the successes and failures at the recent Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, and what policy changes may result from it in the years to come, in the U.S. and abroad. They will speak at the FedEx Global Education Center. Call (919) 962-2435 or visit http://global.unc.edu.
Wednesday
n "From Hollywood to Chapel Hill with Georgia Kyser" will be the subject of the Lunchbox Lecture at noon. The suggested donation is $5. The event will be sponsored by the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill at the Horace Williams House, 610 E. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill. Call (919) 942-7818 or visit www.chapelhillpreservation.com.
n The annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Oratorical Contest will take place at 6 p.m. In this contest sponsored by the Kappa Omicron Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, students will present original monologues on the following theme: "Building on Foundations of Greatness: How will our generation continue Dr. King's Legacy?" The event will take place in the Hitchcock Multipurpose Room, Stone Center, 150 South Road, Chapel Hill. Visit www.unc.edu/diversity/mlk/.
n The Vision Series Directors in Conversation -- All My Sons takes place at 6:30 p.m. This new series invites you to the Paul Green Theatre for a glass of wine and the chance to learn about a production in process. Meet the director, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the design and vision for the show at PlayMakers Repertory Company. The Vision Series is free and is sponsored by a local vendor so you will be able to experience the flavors of the Triangle while learning more about the upcoming productions. Contact the box office to make reservations at 919.962.PLAY (7529).
Thursday
n There will be a candlelight vigil at 6:30 p.m. to honor Martin Luther King Jr. King's life continues to inspire people today around the globe to fight for social justice. The Theta Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. invites the community to come and experience the excitement of being a drum major for justice. All members of the university community are invited to take part in the MLK candlelight vigil. The vigil will act as a time for reflection on King's inspirational messages prior to the MLK Memorial Lecture, which will immediately follow. The vigil will be held at McCorkle Place, around the Old Well.
n Explore connections between literature and works of art on view at the Ackland between 7 and 8:30 p.m. This evening's event explores books that share connections with art found in the special exhibition "Jacob Lawrence and The Legend of John Brown," which is on view through May 9. Discuss "Poets of the Civil War," edited by J. D. McClatchy. Admission is free to Ackland members, high school students and UNC students who present a One Card. The cost is $5 for non-members. To register, contact Leslie Balkany at (919) 962-3342 or lbalkany@email.unc.edu.
n Preceded by a candlelight vigil starting at 6:30 at the Old Well, actor Danny Glover will discuss at 7:30 p.m. how Martin Luther King's life and legacy influenced him to use his platform as an actor to engage in social activism. Tickets for the Glover lecture are free but required. For ticket information, call (919) 843-3333. Glover will speak at Memorial Hall.
