Arts & Sciences

Traditional Chinese sword dancing debuts this weekend at the annual Lunar New Year Festival at Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis. “The swords only look dangerous,” says junior Sarah Lin, noting the dance’s combination of grace and power.

Three of St. Louis’ most prominent musicians will perform works by Haydn, Saint-Saëns and Arensky Feb. 19 when Washington University’s Eliot Trio presents its annual concert in Holmes Lounge.

Sean M. Savoie, senior lecturer in performing arts, has received two nominations in the St. Louis Theater Circle’s 2015 Awards.

K.J. Holmes, the 2016 Marcus Residency Dance Artist in the Performing Arts Department, will present “Constellation,” a structured improvisation featuring Washington University dance students, at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, in the Annelise Mertz Dance Studio. She will be in residence Feb. 1-3.

The African and African-American Studies program in Arts & Sciences invites applications for its 2016-17 postdoctoral fellowship. Those interested should apply by March 1.

Jeffrey McCune, associate professor of performing arts and of women, gender and sexuality studies, both in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, won the Michael Lynch Service Award from the Gay, Lesbian, Queer Caucus of the Modern Language Association.

Issues that tap into the past, present and future of higher education and its impact on American society will be explored this month. The Master of Liberal Arts (MLA) Saturday Lecture Series begins Saturday, Feb. 6. It is sponsored by University College in Arts & Sciences.

Faculty, staff and community leaders interested in learning more about grants from The Divided City: An Urban Humanities Initiative are invited to an informational reception at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in Umrath Hall Lounge. RSVP to attend. Funding proposals are due Feb. 15.

A memorial service to honor Nobel Prize-winning economist Douglass C. North, PhD, will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29, in Graham Chapel. A reception will follow in Holmes Lounge, Ridgley Hall. North died in November.

Evolution educators continue to face resistance from parents, lawmakers and school boards. And a recent Pew Research Center survey on science and society shows that one-third of the population denies evolution. The Institute of School Partnership, through Darwin Day and other programs, help K-12 teachers bring this core concept to their classrooms.