Arts & Culture

Erin Brooks, a graduate student in musicology in Washington University’s Department of Music in Arts & Sciences, will speak on “Patriotic Fervor in Places West: The Role and Meaning of ‘Victory Songs’ and Sing-Alongs in World War I-Era St. Louis” at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11.

The Mike Karpowics Group will perform from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, as part of Washington University’s spring Jazz at Holmes series.

David Kilper / WUSTL PhotoWUSTL researchers are trying to infer the Egyptian climate from the fossil evidence.Earth and planetary scientists at Washington University in St. Louis are studying snail fossils to understand the climate of northern Africa 130,000 years ago. While that might sound a bit like relying on wooly bear caterpillars to predict the severity of winter, the snails actually reveal clues about the climate and environment of western Egypt, lo those many years ago. They also could shed light on the possible role weather and climate played in the dispersal of humans “out of Africa” and into Europe and Asia.

Lili Almog, courtesy Bernstein ArtistsBeiserLong recognized as a leading performer of cutting-edge music, Maya Beiser has helped to redefine the cello as a solo instrument, both through her commitment to contemporary composers and her multicultural approach. On Feb. 12, the Israeli-born cellist will present a special, one-night-only performance as part of the Edison Theatre OVATIONS! Series at Washington University.

DavisFiction writer Kathryn Davis will read from her work at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, as part of Washington University’s Writing Program Spring Reading Series. In addition, Davis will speak on the craft of fiction at 8 p.m. Feb. 22.

Courtesy photoJohn DaltonFiction writer and St. Louis native John Dalton will open Washington University’s Writing Program Spring Reading Series at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27. Dalton is the author of Heaven Lake. His short fiction has appeared in Story, Alaska Quarterly Review and other journals.

WUSTL Photo Services*The Trojan Women*Widely considered the greatest anti-war play ever written, Euripides’ The Trojan Women (415 B.C.) remains both timeless and timely, a poignant meditation on the aftermath of battle. Ron Himes — the Henry E. Hampton Jr. artist-in-residence at Washington University as well as founder and producing director of the St. Louis Black Repertory — will direct a new production of Euripides’ enduring parable for the Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences Jan. 28-30 and Feb. 4-6.

Washington University’s Center for the Humanities in Arts & Sciences will present “What is a Child?,” a conversation with University of Iowa education experts Gail Masuchika Boldt and Cynthia Lewis, at 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, in the Ann W. Olin Women’s Building Formal Lounge.

Internationally renowned organist James Kibbie will showcase the newly restored Roland Quest Organ in historic Graham Chapel with a free concert Jan. 23. The program — selected to highlight the organ’s renewed versatility — will include music of Bach, Franck and Widor.

The Washington University Chamber Orchestra — under the direction of Elizabeth Macdonald, director of strings in the Department of Music in Arts & Sciences — will present a concert titled “Viva Vivaldi,” at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, in Karl Umrath Hall Lounge.