Calendar highlights
Norwegians visit
Two distinguished scholars from Norway speak at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 1, in 7191 Helen C White. Professor emeritus Magne Skodvin, University of Oslo, is considered Norway’s foremost authority on Norwegian war history. My Gunnar Sonsteby is Norway’s highest decorated war hero and leader of the “Oslo Gang.” Skodvin will deliver the main lecture and Sonsteby will add information from his experiences. A question-and-answer session will follow the talks. Information: Peggy Hager, Scandinavian studies, 262-9636 or 262-2090.
Ping Chong to discuss art in the new century
Ping Chong will speak Friday, March 2, on “Making Art for the New Century” and will show slides and video of his award-winning and innovative work in theater and performance. Chong is the Arts Institute interdisciplinary artist in residence. He will speak at 7 p.m. at the Madison Art Center, third-floor auditorium, 211 State St. Information: 257-0158.
“Ravenshead” at Union Theater
Take a journey into the heart and mind of an eccentric hero in an unheroic age. The Wisconsin Union Theater presents “Ravenshead,” a solo tour de force of acting, singing and blues harmonica by Rinde Eckert. Accompanied by the Paul Dresher Ensemble, Steve Mackey’s appealing, eclectic, high-tech score navigates the world of music with influences from Baroque to Caribbean, Afro-pop to gamelan. Ravenshead is based on the true story of Donald Crowhurst (named Richard Ravenshead in the opera), a flamboyant British electronics manufacturer who convinced himself and others that he would win the Golden Globe race — a nonstop, solo sail around the world. He unraveled and it is believed that he simply stepped off his boat mid-ocean.
Tickets: $29 ($28 for Union members, $14 for UW–Madison students), Union Theater Box Office, 262-2201.
One of Latin America’s most acclaimed theater dance troupe’s, Coreoarte, is scheduled to perform Tuesday, March 6, at 7 p.m. at the Margaret H’Doubler Performance Space, Lathrop Hall. The event is part of the Third Annual Sin Fronteras Multicultural Extravaganza sponsored by the Organization of Latino Arts and Centro Hispano.
Susan Savage-Day plays Lucia in a scene from “Lucia di Lammermoor,” scheduled this month at the Carol Rennebohm auditorium, Music Hall. The opera features Donizetti’s inventive melodies and Sir Walter Scott’s tragic tale of romantic obsession. It will be sung in Italian with English subtitles. Cost: $13 general admission, $9 UW–Madison students. Information: 262-1500, or visit mmmullen@students.wisc.edu. (Photo: courtesy University Opera.)