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Perspectives on Environmental Spirituality

Civic In a benefit program for the Ignatian Spirituality Center called “Exposed on the Cliffs of the Heart,” four noted speakers will explore our relationship and responsibility to Earth. Dr. Terry McGonigal, Dean of Spiritual Life at Whitworth University, will discuss the biblical call to be stewards of the Earth; ecologist Mary Ruckelshaus will put the Puget Sound region’s environmental issues into global context; and novelist and salmon activist David James Duncan will join acclaimed writer Sherman Alexie in sharing appropriate selections from their works in response. Presented by Ignatian Spirituality Center of Seattle as part of its Ignatian Eco-Spirituality Series. Advance tickets are $20 at www.ignatiancenter.org/programs/exposed-on-the-cliffs-of-the-heart or by calling 206/329-4824; $25 at the door. For more information, see www.ignatiancenter.org. LEARN MORE: www.ignatiancenter.org. Saturday, November 7, 2009, 6:45 PM – 9:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Earshot Jazz: Evan Flory-Barnes

Music As part of the 2009 Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle bassist and composer Evan Flory-Barnes presents a world premiere titled "Inheritance, Authenticity and Healing: Acknowledgement of a Celebration," large-ensemble fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and classical music, complete with modern dancers and freestyle break-dancers. A standout in Seattle’s jazz scene, Flory-Barnes’ acoustic double bass skills, a combination of improvisation and classical training, have been featured in collaborations ranging from Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto to hip-hop band Maroon Colony. Commissioned as part of a national series of works from Meet the Composer’s Commissioning Music/USA program, Acknowledgement of a Celebration is performed as a nine-movement orchestral cycle with 35 musicians and 10 dancers. , Tickets are $18-$24 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. Visit www.earshot.org for more information. LEARN MORE: Earshot Festival Evan Flory-Barnes on Facebook On <a… Sunday, November 8, 2009, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

**POSTPONED**Nan Aron: Bringing Justice to Torturers

Civic Attorney General Eric Holder, writes Alliance for Justice president and founder Nan Aron, is a man on a hot seat that’s getting hotter. Holder reportedly is considering authorizing a criminal investigation into the mistreatment of detainees by CIA interrogators, but President Obama has said he does not support a special commission for exploring the Bush administration. And some big, powerful names are sure to come up in any kind of investigation—Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Alberto Gonzales, George Tenet, John Ashcroft, and Condoleeza Rice. But Aron thinks Holder needs to go even further: While a full-scale investigation of the use of torture by the United States government will stir up passions on both sides, she writes, “it is our only hope for reaching some national consensus on the torture issue.” Aron has been a leading voice in public-interest law for more than 30 years, and helped defeat Robert Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court in 1987. Presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life. , , … Monday, November 9, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

**SOLD OUT** Seattle Speaks: Preventing Youth Violence

Civic Youth violence is on the rise in Seattle. The city is responding with a community-based, multi-agency Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, the front lines of a fight that could mean life or death for kids aged 12-17. Over the next two years, the city will spend about $8 million to try to reduce youth violence, focusing on the youths who are at highest risk of perpetuating or being victimized by violence. But is it working? Is it realistic? And is it the best approach, and the best use of the money? Scheduled participants include Mariko Lockhart, director of the city initiative; Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell; a representative of the Seattle Police Department’s gang unit; a former gang member; and youth who have experienced violence firsthand. Broadcast live and online at the Seattle Channel, this 90 minute interactive forum will lay out the extent of Seattle’s youth-violence problem, offer updates on and analysis of the initiative, explore innovative anti-violence strategies, and share experience f… Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Alex Steffen: Building a Planet with a Future

Civic At the Copenhagen climate summit in December, the world’s leaders will try to reach agreement on a path to a climate-safe future. As debate rages about how to lift the developing world out of poverty while redefining affluence on dramatically more sustainable lines, Alex Steffen’s answers are increasingly influential. Steffen, the Seattle-based editor of the instrumental sustainability site Worldchanging.com, has become one of the world’s leading thinkers on the planetary future, and his ideas on “bright green” environmentalism—sustainable, dynamic, prosperous, and fair—have a wide following in Northern Europe. Steffen will be keynote speaker at three of the major events during the Copenhagen summit, but first he’ll deliver a special two-night talk at Town Hall exploring what a bright-green future means for the planet—and the perils and opportunities that future will bring for Seattle. Richard Conlin introduces tonight’s talk, which will focus on global issues and big trends. Presented by Town Hall’s Center f… Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Mark Danner: Reports from the World’s Hot Spots

Civic For the past two decades, author and award-winning journalist Mark Danner has reported from Latin America, Haiti, the Balkans, and the Middle East, exploring not only the real consequences of American engagement with the world, but also the relationship between political violence and power. From the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in Haiti to the tumultuous rise of Aristide; from the onset of the Balkan Wars to the painful fragmentation of Yugoslavia; and to the invasion of Iraq and the legacy of the Bush administration, Danner, former staff writer at The New Yorker and author of Stripping Bare the Body, has visited some of the world’s most troubled regions, bringing back lessons on politics, violence, and war. Presented by Town Hall’s Center for Civic Life, with Elliott Bay Book Company. Series supported by RealNetworks Foundation, the Brown Foundation, and the Otto Haas Charitable Trust. , , Advance tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door beginning at 6:30 pm.… Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Technology Commercialization in Difficult Times

Science Seattle is famous for its techies and biotechies—they’re super-smart and filled with great ideas, but might not have the entrepreneurial know-how to turn those ideas into a product or a company, especially in today’s economic climate. But Lee Hood and Carl Weissman have a solid track record of translating ideas into successful businesses— and they’re willing to share their insight, which is considerable: Hood, co-founder and president of the Institute for Systems Biology, invented the automated genome sequencer and has co-founded more than 14 biotech companies. And Weissman, chairman and CEO of Accelerator Corporation, has led the company as it invested in 10 biotech companies, three of which have raised more than $114 million in additional rounds of financing. Hosted by the ISB Associates Network and sponsored by Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt. Tickets are $10 at http://isbtownhall.eventbrite.com and at the door beginning at 5 pm. LEARN MORE: About Systems Biology About Lee Hood About Carl Weissman. Thursday, November 12, 2009, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Alex Steffen: Seattle's Bright Green Moment

Civic At the Copenhagen climate summit in December, the world’s leaders will try to reach agreement on a path to a climate-safe future. As debate rages about how to lift the developing world out of poverty while redefining affluence on dramatically more sustainable lines, Alex Steffen’s answers are increasingly influential. Steffen, the Seattle-based editor of the instrumental sustainability site Worldchanging.com, has become one of the world’s leading thinkers on the planetary future, and his ideas on “bright green” environmentalism—sustainable, dynamic, prosperous, and fair—have a wide following in Northern Europe. Steffen will be keynote speaker at three of the major events during the Copenhagen summit, but first he’ll deliver a special two-night talk at Town Hall exploring what a bright-green future means for the planet—and the perils and opportunities that future will bring for Seattle. Mike McGinn introduces tonight’s talk, which will focus on the local picture and what we can do right now. Presented by Town… Thursday, November 12, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Seattle Public Library Presents: Clay Jenkinson as Thomas Jefferson

Literary Clay Jenkinson portrays some of the biggest names in American history: Theodore Roosevelt, Meriwether Lewis, and Thomas Jefferson (which landed him on The Colbert Report in 2006). One of the first winners of the nation’s highest award in humanities, the Charles Frankel Prize, Jenkinson performs monologues, followed by Q&A sessions as the character, in costume. Later, he steps out of character and answers questions as himself. Jenkinson, an American humanities Rhodes scholar, is co-founder of the modern Chatuauqua movement, a forum for public discussion about the ideas and lives of key figures in American history. Presented by Seattle Public Library as part of its 2009 McLellan/O’Donnell Living History Series. Free; no tickets required. LEARN MORE: Hear Jenkinson’s syndicated radio show at www.jeffersonhour.org. Watch his appearance on The Colbert Report (Jenkinson is “Jefferson One” in Colbert’s “America’s Top Jefferson” competition.) www.spl.org. Friday, November 13, 2009, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Saturday Family Concerts: Tahqua

Family Native American ensemble Tahqua celebrates tradition and culture through performances described as “a delight and inspiration to the human spirit.” With creative and captivating performances of contemporary and traditional music, song, story, and dance, Tahqua’s vocal versatility and highly charged physical performance enrapture audiences of all ages. Series sponsored by ParentMap. , Tickets are free for kids 12 and under/$5 for adults. No children without adults; no adults without children. Tickets are required for children and adults and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. LEARN MORE: www.genetagaban.com. Saturday, November 14, 2009, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Saturday Family Concerts: Tahqua.

Saturday Family Concerts: Tahqua

Family Native American ensemble Tahqua celebrates tradition and culture through performances described as “a delight and inspiration to the human spirit.” With creative and captivating performances of contemporary and traditional music, song, story, and dance, Tahqua’s vocal versatility and highly charged physical performance enrapture audiences of all ages. Series sponsored by ParentMap. , Tickets are free for kids 12 and under/$5 for adults. No children without adults; no adults without children. Tickets are required for children and adults and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. LEARN MORE: www.genetagaban.com. Saturday, November 14, 2009, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra in Concert

Music Now in its 10th season, Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra is known for passionate, virtuosic, and energetic performances that belie its all-volunteer membership. The orchestra’s season-opener at Town Hall will include Helios Overture, one of the most famous short orchestral works by Danish composer Carl Nielsen; Brahms’ Variation on a Theme by Haydn, first performed in 1873 by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under Brahms’s baton; Wagner’s Prelude to Act I (from Lohengrin), marked by a grand, all-encompassing climax; and the dramatic one-movement Symphony No. 1 by Samuel Barber, the first American work performed at the Salzburg Festival. , Ticket prices are to be determined, at www.psso.org LEARN MORE: www.psso.org. Saturday, November 14, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Early Music Discovery: From Vielle to Viol

Music EMG opens its seventh Discovery Concerts series with bowed strings expert Margriet Tindemans, founder and music director of Seattle’s Medieval Women’s Choir. Tindemans will introduce and perform on instruments from the medieval period through the Baroque, showing their development over 600 years and demonstrating the role of bowed string instruments in early Europe, in courtly circles, and in the homes of everyday people. Tickets are $10/$5 students and seniors. Visit www.earlymusicguild.org or 206/325-7066 for tickets and information. LEARN MORE: www.earlymusicguild.org Tindemans and the Medieval Women’s Choir. Sunday, November 15, 2009, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Ed Schultz: 2009 Tour for Change

Civic Ed Schultz, billed as “the most listened-to progressive radio talk-show host in America,” brings his Tour for Change to Town Hall with a two-hour interactive discussion of healthcare reform and other major issues. The meeting will be recorded for broadcast coast-to-coast on The Ed Schultz Show and recorded by MSNBC. With 3 million followers called “Ed Heads” and a 30-year broadcasting history, “Big Eddie” is heard locally on Progressive Talk AM1090. Advance tickets are $20 general/$50 VIP (includes a pre-event meet-and-greet with Schultz and Team Fargo) here LEARN MORE: www.bigeddieradio.com Schultz’s YouTube gallery On Facebook. Sunday, November 15, 2009, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Ellie Krieger: So Easy: Ten Foods That Can Change Your Life

Civic Whether you’re anticipating or dreading the season of holiday (over)eating, Ellie Krieger has an encouraging message for you: You can eat delicious food and maintain your health even when life is really hectic. A dietitian, host of Food Network’s acclaimed Healthy Appetite, and New York Times-bestselling author of The Food You Crave, Krieger specializes in offering real advice about food and healthy habits, without gimmicks or crash diets. In a manner at once easygoing and direct, she says that with the right tools and knowledge, anyone can have a healthy, conscious approach to nutrition without sacrificing a pure love of food. , Tickets are $15 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. LEARN MORE: www.friendshealthconnection.org www.elliekrieger.com. Monday, November 16, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

**SOLD OUT** Kim Ricketts Book Events: Al Gore

Civic Former Vice President Al Gore’s best-selling book (and Oscar-winning film) An Inconvenient Truth sounded the global-warming alarm and raised the world’s climate consciousness to a new level. Now, drawing on more than 30 "Solutions Summits" Gore has since led with top scientists, engineers, and policy experts, he offers real solutions to the climate crisis and describes a comprehensive global strategy to implement them urgently. Our Choice, the latest work by the 2007 winner of the Nobel Peace, argues that the bold decisions necessary to address the Earth’s climate can also be the foundations of policies worldwide to create new jobs and stimulate sustainable economic progress. , , Advance tickets (which include a copy of Gore’s new book, "Our Choice") are $25 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, by emailing info@kimricketts.com, or by calling 206/632-2419. LEARN MORE: www.kimricketts.com Gore’s blog. Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Soundings from Island Press: Tony Barnosky: ‘Nature in an Age of Global Warming’

Civic In 2006, one of the hottest years on record, a “pizzly” was discovered near the top of the world. Half polar bear, half grizzly, this never-before-seen animal might have been dismissed as a fluke of nature, but Berkeley professor and paleoecologist Anthony Barnosky, author of Heatstroke: Nature in an Age of Global Warming, instead sees it as a harbinger of things to come. Everywhere on Earth, global warming is fundamentally changing the natural world and its creatures and, Barnosky says, climate change is more likely to wipe out species than to create them. Barnosky draws connections between the coming centuries and the end of the last Ice Age, when mass extinctions swept the planet, but says climate change is faster and hotter now and, for the first time, humanity is driving it—which means this time, we can work to stop it. Presented through the Town Hall Center with Island Press through the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, in association with IslandWood and Elliott Bay Book Company. , , Advance… Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

American Red Cross: Tsunami Recovery

Civic December marks the fifth anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami, one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent history. The tsunami affected people in more than 12 countries, killing more than 200,000 and leaving millions without homes. To commemorate the event and to explain its impact on disaster relief and risk-reduction efforts locally and globally, Jerry Anderson, senior director of the American Red Cross Tsunami Recovery Program, will address lessons learned during the response and present a photo exhibit highlighting the recovery of affected communities. Presented by the American Red Cross Serving King and Kitsap Counties. Admission is free; no tickets required. For more information, call 206/726-3534, or visit www.seattleredcross.org. LEARN MORE: www.seattleredcross.org. Thursday, November 19, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Michael Tomlinson: Thanksgiving Concert

Music In this season of gratitude, Seattle singer-songwriter Michael Tomlinson performs a concert in celebration of our local healing-arts community. Accompanied by the studio musicians who performed on his new release, The Way Out West, Tomlinson will perform acoustic-based songs from that CD, as well as earlier albums. Known for his friendly concerts, funny stories, and warm performances, Tomlinson writes and sings songs ranging from folk and pop to jazz and rock—all lyrically rich and uplifting. Wood & Steel has compared Tomlinson’s music to Bruce Cockburn, Danny O'Keefe, and David Wilcox, and longtime PI music critic Gene Stout calls his "clear, breezy tenor… strikingly beautiful.” A free preconcert reception begins at 7 pm. , Advance tickets are $25 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door. For more information, visit www.michaeltomlinson.com/healers/index.htm. LEARN MORE: www.michaeltomlinson.com On YouTube, singing “Seattle Skies”. Friday, November 20, 2009, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Early Music Guild: Musica ad Rhenum

Music Acclaimed American baroque flutist Jed Wentz returns with his Netherlands-based quintet to present works by Francois Couperin and Georg Philipp Telemann. Formed in 1992, the group’s intensely personal and highly emotional style has earned it a special place in the early music scene. Director Wentz has performed and recorded with such groups as Musica Antiqua Koln, Les Musiciens du Louvre, Capriccio Stravagante Paris, and the Gabriele Consort. A pre-concert lecture begins at 7 pm. , Tickets are $38/$35/$20. Town Hall members receive a $5 discount. Visit www.earlymusicguild.org or 206/325-7066 for tickets and information. LEARN MORE: www.earlymusicguild.org Musica ad Rhenum www.jedwentz.com. Saturday, November 21, 2009, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Na'alehu Theatre: Hawaiian Slack Key Festival

Music Slack-key guitar is a treasured musical tradition in Hawaii, where it is called ki ho`alu, (literally, "loosen the key"). With their unique, finger-picked style, slack-key pieces typically reflect Hawaiian themes of stories, feelings, aloha, and nature. The Na'alehu Theater, an organization dedicated to Hawaiian culture and history, presents its first Seattle Slack Key Festival, featuring Grammy-winning slack-key master Cyril Pahinui. , , Tickets are $25-$75 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. LEARN MORE: About Na'alehu Theatre www.cyrilpahinui.com For more on the slack-key guitar. Sunday, November 22, 2009, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Joel Waldfogel: Rethinking Holiday Gifts

Civic The holidays: seasonal cheer, family get-togethers, and presents—lots and lots of presents. But did you really love that sweater from Grandma, or the singing fish from your uncle? And how many gifts did you buy without knowing what the recipient really wanted, or needed? What if it’s time to rethink the whole idea of gift-giving? Economist Joel Waldfogel believes that could be a gift in itself. The author of Scroogenomics: Why You Shouldn’t Buy Presents for the Holidays, says it’s time to stop the madness; by spending $85 billion each winter, making poorly informed choices, maxing out our credit cards, and leaving recipients less than satisfied, we’re creating “deadweight loss.” Instead, Waldfogel proposes gift-giving alternatives that can reclaim the original spirit of the holidays. Presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, with Elliott Bay Book Company. , , Tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive priority… Monday, November 23, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Seattle Baroque Orchestra: Baroque Fire-The Promethean Violin

Music Venice was already electrified by the 17th century, as the first generation of Baroque violin icons brought the fire of the gods to the benighted musical world of the Renaissance, igniting a virtuoso tradition that altered the musical landscape forever. Music Director Ingrid Matthews will be joined on violin by perennial favorites Tekla Cunningham and Carrie Krause for brand-new instrumental transcriptions of Luigi Rossi’s lovely lyric works for three sopranos, along with fiery sonatas by Dario Castello; a dose of whimsy in Biagio Marini’s comical "Ecco" sonata; and a continuo team including Nathan Whittaker on cello and John Lenti on theorbo, led by Byron Schenkman. Seattle Baroque Orchestra, known and loved by Town Hall audiences for its shining Messiah performances with the Tudor Choir, captures the vitality of 17th- and 18th-century music for contemporary audiences with historically informed performances. A free pre-concert lecture begins at 7 pm. , , Tickets are $38-$29 Adult/$33-$24 Senior/$13-$10… Saturday, November 28, 2009, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Panel Discussion: Climate Change and Justice

Civic In an event titled "Global Justice Forward: The Climate is Changing, and It’s Time for Solutions," internationally known activists will join Northwest organizers to discuss current ecological and environmental crises as well as how social movements are responding with solutions. Scheduled panelists include environmental author and activist Brian Tokar, development specialist Eric Holt Gimenez, and Canadian author and activist Maude Barlow. Presented by Community Alliance for Global Justice, an organization of volunteers who work toward a just local and global economy. Advance tickets are $5-$10 at info@seattleplus10.org, or by calling 206/405-4600. Visit www.seattleglobaljustice.org for more information. LEARN MORE: www.seattleglobaljustice.org www.seattleplus10.org. Sunday, November 29, 2009, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Science: Alan Boyle: Why Pluto is Planet-Worthy

Science To its fans, Pluto’s the cutest and most unfairly maligned planet of all—but possibly not even a planet at all, thanks to its still-disputed “demotion” by the Astronomical Union in 2006. But the cosmic underdog remains an American favorite, and with good reason, says MSNBC.com science editor Alan Boyle: Pluto may have contained the building blocks of life billions of years ago, and may well serve as life’s last redoubt billions of years from now. Boyle, the Seattle-based author of The Case for Pluto: How a Little Planet Made a Big Difference and the award-winning blogger behind Cosmic Log, argues in favor of Pluto’s planetary status, exploring its discovery and strange appeal, and explaining how it is still changing the way we see the universe. Presented as part of Seattle Science Lectures, with Pacific Science Center and University Book Store. Series sponsored by Microsoft. Tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive… Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Soundings from Island Press: Elizabeth Grossman: A Green Chemistry Revolution

Civic From baby bottles to kitchen cookware, Americans are more concerned than ever about chemicals and their effect on our health. The stories are unnerving: Our children play with toys that leach unsafe chemicals, our makeup and sunscreen carry toxins, and nearly every child born today carries hazardous chemicals in his or her blood. Even the air we breathe can alter our genes. Maybe we’ve had enough, on every level. Investigative journalist Elizabeth Grossman, author of Chasing Molecules: Poisonous Products, Human Health, and the Promise of Green Chemistry, thinks we have. A “benign by design” chemical revolution is brewing, she says, and its hope is the promise of green chemistry—a world where the pollutants stay out of products and out of people. Presented by Island Press through the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, in association with IslandWood and Elliott Bay Book Company. , , Advance tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door. Town Hall members receive priority… Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Nomi Prins: The Ugly Truth Behind Our Financial Crisis

Civic The federal government’s financial bailout was a scary and maddening wake-up call for America. But former Wall-Street-insider-turned-journalist Nomi Prins, author of It Takes a Pillage, says our eyes aren’t all the way open yet. Prins, former managing director at Goldman Sachs and current senior fellow at Demos, knows Big Finance and big money, and says that amid the bailout’s exposure of greed, irresponsible regulation, and selfish mind-sets, the scariest part is that for all the trillions we’re spending or committing, our economic system remains in disarray—and Washington has no real plan for fixing it. Prins does, though. Presented by Town Hall’s Center for Civic Life, with Demos and Elliott Bay Book Company. Series supported by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust. , , Advance tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive priority seating. LEARN MORE: www.nomiprins.com. Thursday, December 3, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Seattle Pro Musica: Music from Asia and the Pacific

Music This matinee performance includes the wonderful music of the evening Eastern Lights concert, just in a shorter, one-hour version especially for children and families—plus, it includes stories and a chance to conduct. The innovative winter program features traditional songs and new choral music from Japan, Korea, China, India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia, performed by the critically acclaimed, nationally recognized choral ensemble led by award-winning conductor and artistic director Karen P. Thomas. Named “among America’s very best choirs” by American Record Guide, Seattle Pro Musica consists of 70 talented singers with diverse backgrounds and a shared passion for beautiful and precise expressions of classical music. Advance tickets are at $22-$32 general/$17 seniors/$12 students/free-$10 children, at www.seattlepromusica.org or 206/781-2766. LEARN MORE: www.seattlepromusica.org. Saturday, December 5, 2009, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Seattle Pro Musica: Music from Asia and the Pacific

Music Seattle Pro Musica, a critically acclaimed, nationally recognized choral ensemble led by award-winning conductor and artistic director Karen P. Thomas, returns to Town Hall for its annual winter concert with a program titled "Eastern Lights." The innovative program features traditional song and new choral music from Japan, Korea, China, India, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. Named “among America’s very best choirs” by American Record Guide, Seattle Pro Musica consists of 70 talented singers with diverse backgrounds and a shared passion for beautiful and precise expressions of classical music. A free preconcert talk by Thomas begins at 6:30 pm. , Advance tickets are at $22-$32 general/$17 seniors/$12 students, at www.seattlepromusica.org or 206/781-2766. LEARN MORE: www.seattlepromusica.org. Saturday, December 5, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Northwest Girlchoir: Winter Family Concert

Music This family-friendly, fun-filled holiday choral concert and sing-along features more than 200 young singers and special guests of Northwest Girlchoir, a critically-acclaimed choral group comprised of five auditioned choir levels for girls in grades 3 to 12, and two non-auditioned programs for girls ages 4 to kindergarten. Advance tickets are $14/free ages 5 and under, and are available at www.northwestgirlchoir.org or by calling 206/985-3973. $16 at the door. For more information, call 206/985-3968 or visit www.northwestgirlchoir.org. LEARN MORE: http://northwestgirlchoir.org. Sunday, December 6, 2009, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Earshot Jazz: The Charles Lloyd New Quartet

Music Legendary saxophonist Charles Lloyd is a singular voice in jazz, and to experience him in person is equally rare, and special. Since his 1961 recording debut as a member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet, Lloyd has built an international reputation and following, and he says his New Quartet—featuring pianist Jason Moran, bass player Reuben Rogers, and drummer Eric Harland—inspires him to continue his “outward journey.” Presented by Earshot Jazz. , , Advance tickets are $28-$35 general/$29-$34 Earshot members /$10-$33 student and seniors at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. Visit www.earshot.org or call 206/547-6763 for more information. LEARN MORE: www.earshot.org www.charleslloyd.com The Charles Lloyd blog YouTube. Sunday, December 6, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

William Langewiesche: ‘Miracle on the Hudson’

Civic Last January 15, a US Airways jet had just taken off from New York’s LaGuardia Airport when it was struck by a flock of geese, destroying both engines. Over the next three minutes, the plane’s pilot, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, managed to glide the jet to a safe landing in the Hudson River. It was an instant media sensation—the “Miracle on the Hudson”—and Captain Sully was a hero. But how much of the happy ending can actually be credited to the pilot? To what extent is the “miracle” the result of extraordinary—but not widely known, and in some cases quite controversial—advances in aviation and computer technology? In his latest book, Fly By Wire, <i?Vanity Fair foreign correspondent (and pilot) William Langewiesche explores the world of advanced aviation and assembles the untold stories necessary to truly understand the “miracle,” questioning our assumptions about the role of human decision-making in modern aviation. Presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life with University Book Store. Series… Monday, December 7, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Mary Gordon: ‘Changing the World Child by Child’

Civic Mary Gordon believes the solution to bullying and other anti-social behavior lies within each child’s natural sense of caring and compassion, which means empathy could change the world—if we infuse our children with it. An educator, author, child advocate, and parenting expert, Gordon is the founder of "Roots of Empathy," an international classroom program that aims to reduce levels of aggression among schoolchildren by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. Gordon, a member of the Order of Canada and an Ashoka Fellow, has chronicled the creation of her award-winning classroom program in her book Roots of Empathy: Changing the World Child by Child, which shares her vision of a society of compassionate and caring children, who in turn will pass on a legacy of empathy to their own children. Admission is free. LEARN MORE: www.rootsofempathy.org. Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Science: Richard Ellis: The Changing World of the Polar Bear

Science At once fierce and adorable, the polar bear symbolizes the harsh beauty and muscular grace of the Arctic. In our age of global warming, polar bears have also come to symbolize the peril that faces all life on Earth. But while the population of polar bears has shrunk by half in 20 years, wildlife painter and acclaimed science writer Richard Ellis says the polar bears’ extinction—and the ice caps’ disappearance—is far from inevitable. Ellis, author of On Thin Ice, says that as the polar bears’ habitat disappears, their survival rests on our willingness to take critical steps, such as listing them as endangered, even though that would render their territory off-limits to oil drilling. Presented as part of the Seattle Science Lectures series, with Pacific Science Center and University Book Store. Sponsored by Microsoft. , , Tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive priority seating. LEARN MORE: here and here… Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Seattle Radio Theatre: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

Special Programming In a spirited celebration of the holidays, Seattle Radio Theatre offers its 10th annual live radio production, featuring music, whiz-bang live sound effects, and a cast of beloved Northwest personalities. This year’s production brings back It’s a Wonderful Life, starring Emmy-winning Almost Live star Pat Cashman as George Bailey and Chris “J.P. Patches” Wedes as Old Man Potter. The performance will also be broadcast live on AM1090, so plan to be in your seats no later than 7:45pm for a little ‘studio audience warmup’—and to stick around afterwards for a post-show reception with members of the cast. , , , Advance tickets are $13 general/$10 Town Hall members, students & seniors/$5 kids 12 and under at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006; $15 general/$13 Town Hall members, students & seniors/$5 kids 12 and under at the door. LEARN MORE: www.patcashman.com www.jppatches.com. Friday, December 11, 2009, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Seattle Children’s Chorus: ‘Once Upon a Christmas’

Music Seattle Children’s Chorus presents "Once Upon a Christmas: Stories of the Season," featuring the voices of 200 children and youth ages 7-18, under the direction of Artistic Director Kris Mason. All four levels of the choir will perform beloved carols and favorite songs of Christmas—with plenty of opportunities for audience sing-alongs— in the opening performance of the choir’s 21st season, A Season of Storytelling. Tickets are $16 adults/$10 students and seniors, at www.seattlechildrenschorus.org, 206/542-5998, 888/561-7139, or at the door. LEARN MORE: www.seattlechildrenschorus.org. Saturday, December 12, 2009, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Tudor Choir & Seattle Baroque Orchestra: ‘Messiah’

Music The Tudor Choir, under the direction of Doug Fullington, and Seattle Baroque Orchestra, led by Ingrid Matthews, return to Town Hall for the first of two performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Their much-lauded period version of Handel’s most famous creation has filled Town Hall—a warm and intimate setting in which the rich complexity of the score can be heard perfectly. , , Tickets are $40-$30 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. LEARN MORE: www.seattlebaroque.org www.tudorchoir.org. Saturday, December 12, 2009, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Tudor Choir & Seattle Baroque Orchestra: ‘Messiah’

Music Tudor Choir, under the direction of Doug Fullington, and Seattle Baroque Orchestra, led by Ingrid Matthews, the return to Town Hall for the first of two performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. Their much-lauded period version of Handel’s most famous creation has filled Town Hall—a warm and intimate setting in which the rich complexity of the score can be heard perfectly. , , Tickets are $40-$30 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. LEARN MORE: www.seattlebaroque.org www.tudorchoir.org. Sunday, December 13, 2009, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Michael Medved: ‘5 Big Lies About American Business’

Civic Local conservative pundit Michael Medved returns to Town Hall with the follow-up to his best-seller The 10 Big Lies About America. Medved, host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Michael Medved Show, says contempt for free enterprise is fueled by lies, including the belief that pursuit of profit damages the public interest and undermines values. In challenging myths about our corporate system, Medved argues that free-market businesses are responsible for providing today’s food, medical care, and other necessities of life. Presented by Town Hall’s Center for Civic Life. Series supported by The Boeing Company, and RealNetworks Foundation. , , Tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive priority seating. LEARN MORE: www.michaelmedved.com. Thursday, December 17, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Seattle Girls’ Choir: Holiday Concert

Music The Seattle Girls’ Choir presents a holiday sing-along concert featuring all six of its choirs, with members ages 5 to 18. Founded in 1982 as a “junior conservatory” for talented young women, the choir, led by artistic director Jerome Wright, is a national leader in choral and music training. Its senior choir, Prime Voci, travels and performs internationally, most recently at the opening of the Salzburg Festival. Tickets are $15 at www.seattlegirlschoir.org and at the door. Visit www.seattlegirlschoir.org or call 206/526-1900 for more information. LEARN MORE: www.seattlegirlschoir.org. Saturday, December 19, 2009, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Short Stories Live: Christmas Classics

Literary In a holiday celebration of literature and theater, professional actors from A Contemporary Theatre will read excerpts from Christmas classics. Frank Corrado will reprise "Ryder Nails the Cleveland Street Kid" by Jean Shepherd, whose short stories inspired the classic holiday film "A Christmas Story"; Julie Briskman will read Nathan Englander's "Reb Kringle," a comic tale about a Jewish man who works as a department-store Santa; and Jean Sherrard will take on Truman Capote’s largely autobiographical "A Christmas Memory." The program is directed by Sherrard, and features a special appearance by Paul Dorpat reading Thurber’s "‘Twas The Night Before Christmas," cheekily rendered in the style of Hemingway. Presented by Town Hall with A Contemporary Theatre. , , Advance tickets are $13/$10 Town Hall members, seniors & students, at www.acttheatre.org. $15/$13 at the door. LEARN MORE: www.acttheatre.org. Sunday, December 20, 2009, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Downstairs, enter on Seneca Street.

Earshot Jazz: Sacred Music by Duke Ellington

Music Inspired by the civil-rights movement of the 1960s, Ellington’s wonderful Sacred Music is both serious and swinging, a reverent and hip body of jazz composition for jazz big band, vocal and instrumental soloists, gospel choir, and tap dancers. For the past 20 years, Earshot Jazz has presented an annual concert of Ellington’s Sacred Music. Featuring the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, co-directed by Michael Brockman and Clarence Acox, and many of Seattle’s favorite jazz artists and guest vocalists, this special concert honors Ellington and what he called “the most important music he’d ever written.” Advance tickets are $24-$28 general/$12-$26 students/$22-$26 seniors and members at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. For more information, visit www.earshot.org. , , LEARN MORE: www.earshot.org. Saturday, December 26, 2009, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Seattle Baroque Orchestra: 'Out With the Old; In with Vivaldi!'

Music This festive New Year concert of brilliant overtures and concertos by Vivaldi includes virtuoso solo concertos, concertos for multiple violins, and a double concerto for viola d’amore and lute. The fiddles will be on display with Ingrid Matthews leading a concerto for four violins and new violinist James Garlick in his concerto solo debut with the orchestra. Tekla Cunningham will play the evocative viola d’amore in a rip-roaring double concerto with lutenist John Lenti, and flutes will join for a sampling of the Concertos Comiques, Michel Corrette’s rowdy, toe-tapping orchestrations of French folk tunes. Led by internationally acclaimed violinist Matthews, Seattle Baroque captures the vitality of 17th- and 18th-century music for contemporary audiences with historically informed performances. A free pre-concert lecture begins at 7 pm. , Tickets are $38-$29 Adult/$33-$24 Senior/$13-$10 Student. Town Hall members receive a 10% discount off the applicable price. Visit www.seattlebaroque.org for tickets and… Saturday, January 2, 2010, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

David Swanson: Forming a More Perfect Union

Civic David Swanson is more than a vocal critic of George Bush and Dick Cheney: He’s a leading voice for prosecuting them for war crimes—and that’s just the legal part of his stance. Swanson, author of Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union, says a lot more went wrong under Bush’s tenure than meets the eye, and it will take more than a new president to create the kind of change we really need. By investigating how Bush and Cheney altered the way American government works and deteriorated the Constitution and Bill of Rights, Swanson lays out a responding plan for reclaiming democracy, declaring our rights, and setting out for a new America. Series supported by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust. , , Advance tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive priority seating. LEARN MORE: About the book writings by Swanson. Tuesday, January 5, 2010, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

The Media Revolution: Hanson R. Hosein

Civic The second installment of the new Town Hall/University of Washington Communication Department series, The Revolution is Here: How Digital Media and Awakened Citizens Are Changing the World, will feature Hanson Hosein, director of UW’s Master of Communication in Digital Media program. Each evening in the four-part series zeroes in on a different “top story”; Hosein specializes in storytelling, social media strategies, and new models of communication. , , Advance tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive priority seating. LEARN MORE: Hosein’s <a href="http://hrhmedia.com/About/Bio.html/>news and bio. Thursday, January 7, 2010, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Soundings from Island Press: Paul Ehrlich: ‘The Dominant Animal’

Civic In humanity’s 100,000-year-plus history, we have evolved from vulnerable creatures clawing sustenance from Earth to a sophisticated global society manipulating every inch of it; we have become the dominant animal. Why, then, are we creating a world that threatens our own species? What can we do to change the current trajectory toward more climate change, increased famine, and epidemic disease? In The Dominant Animal, renowned entomologist and population specialist Paul Ehrlich (author of 1968’s seminal The Population Bomb) believes that intelligently addressing those questions depends on a clear understanding of how we evolved, and how/why we’re changing the planet in ways that darken our descendants’ future. Tracing the interplay between environmental change and genetic and cultural evolution, Ehrlich says humanity can again adapt—if we learn from our evolutionary past. Presented through the Town Hall Center with Island Press through the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, in association with IslandWood and… Monday, January 11, 2010, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Global Rhythms: Los Cenzontles–Seattle Debut

Music Fronted by the dynamic vocals of Fabiola Trujillo, Lucina Rodriguez, and sonero Hugo Arroyo, Los Cenzontles (“The Mockingbirds”) makes its Seattle debut at Town Hall’s Global Rhythms series. This energetic and evocative band of eight young musicians is rapidly becoming a formidable presence in the Latin music scene. They mix electric bass and drums with traditional Mexican instruments— jarana, vihuela, requinto, pandero, and quijada (jawbone)—to create a powerful contemporary sound infused with the gutsy soul of Mexico’s rural roots music. Based in San Pablo, Calif. the group is closely associated with members of Los Lobos, with whom they have recently recorded a CD, Songs of Steel and Wood. Their current project is in collaboration with the legendary blues musician Taj Mahal. There is a free-pre-concert talk at 7:15 pm free to ticket holders. , , Advance tickets are $24/$21 Town Hall members, students & seniors at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. $27/$24 at the door. LEARN MORE:… Friday, January 15, 2010, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Saturday Family Concerts: Los Cenzontles

Family Hot off of Friday’s Global Rhythms appearance, Los Cenzontles (“The Mockingbirds”) alights Downstairs at Town Hall for a kids’ concert of powerful contemporary sounds infused with the gutsy soul of Mexico’s rural roots music. The Mockingbirds effortlessly mix electric bass and drums with traditional Mexican instruments—jarana, vihuela, requinto, pandero, and quijada (jawbone)— to create a fresh Chicano voice for a new generation. Fronted by the dynamic vocals of Fabiola Trujillo and Lucina Rodriguez, and sonero Hugo Arroyo, Los Cenzontles digs deeply into Latino traditions to promote dignity, pride, and cultural understanding. Series media sponsorship provided by ParentMap. , Tickets are free for kids 12 and under/$5 for adults. No children without adults, no adults without children. Tickets are required for children and adults and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. Saturday, January 16, 2010, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Saturday Family Concerts: Los Cenzontles

Family Hot off of Friday’s Global Rhythms appearance, Los Cenzontles (“The Mockingbirds”) alights Downstairs at Town Hall for a kids’ concert of powerful contemporary sounds infused with the gutsy soul of Mexico’s rural roots music. The Mockingbirds effortlessly mix electric bass and drums with traditional Mexican instruments—jarana, vihuela, requinto, pandero, and quijada (jawbone)— to create a fresh Chicano voice for a new generation. Fronted by the dynamic vocals of Fabiola Trujillo and Lucina Rodriguez, and sonero Hugo Arroyo, Los Cenzontles digs deeply into Latino traditions to promote dignity, pride, and cultural understanding. Series media sponsorship provided by ParentMap. , Tickets are free for kids 12 and under/$5 for adults. No children without adults, no adults without children. Tickets are required for children and adults and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. Saturday, January 16, 2010, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Short Stories Live: The Catholic Imagination

Literary A Contemporary Theatre Artistic Director Kurt Beattie directs this program of excerpts from classic short stories examining faith—and the world—from the Catholic perspective. Included are "My First Confession" by the prolific Irish writer Frank O’Connor; Katherine Anne Porter’s "Flowering Judas," with a theme of lost faith; "I Spy" by Graham Greene, known for his exploration of morality and amorality in modern society; and "The Lord’s Day" by J.F. Powers, who carved out a literary niche with his tales of priests in Chicago and the Midwest. Presented by Town Hall with A Contemporary Theatre. , , Advance tickets are $13/$10 Town Hall members, seniors & students, at www.bronwpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006. $15/$13 at the door. LEARN MORE: www.acttheatre.org. Sunday, January 17, 2010, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall, enter on Seneca Street.

Raj Patel: Looking Beyond Price Tags

Civic In an era when the gears of the economy have ground to a virtual halt, writer, activist, and academic Raj Patel (2008’s bestselling Stuffed and Starved) says we all need to start asking the fundamental but baffling question of why things cost what they do. His latest work, The Value of Nothing, uses some fundamental but forgotten economics and cutting-edge neuroeconomics to show how the price we pay for everything is systematically distorted. Patel clearly explains why the question “How much?” means far more than the price on the sticker. Presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, with Elliott Bay Book Company. , , Tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, and at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive priority seating. Monday, January 18, 2010, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Robert McChesney and John Nichols: Bail Out the Newspapers

Civic We’ve lost the printed Post-Intelligencer; daily newspapers are closing in Denver, Cincinnati, and Albuquerque; and even the venerable Boston Globe is at risk. “Surviving” newspapers are shedding reporters, shuttering bureaus, and ignoring entire areas of coverage. Journalism, the counterbalance to corporate and political power and the lifeblood of an informed citizenry, is not just threatened; it is in meltdown. Robert McChesney and John Nichols, authors of The Death and Life of Great American Newspapers, believe the federal government should intervene to save newspapers, and journalism—and they have history on their side: The founders who wrote a free-press protection into the First Amendment provided subsidies to the burgeoning print press of our young nation. Presented by Town Hall’s Center for Civic Life. Series supported by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust. , , Advance tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door beginning at 6:30 pm. Town Hall members receive… Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Lake Union Civic Orchestra: Scandinavian Music

Music LUCO, led by charismatic music director Christophe Chagnard, presents a program called "SKAN3: Celebrating Scandinavian Symphonic Music." Included in the program: Helios Overture by Nielsen; Reineke’s Flute Concerto, with Erin McKibben, soloist; and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2. Formed in 1995, the orchestra is dedicated to the energetic, passionate performance of symphonic and chamber music. , Tickets are $15/$10 students and seniors/free for children under 12 and are available at www.brownpapertickets.com, 800/838-3006, and at the door. Visit www.luco.org for more information. LEARN MORE: www.luco.org. Friday, January 22, 2010, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Jeremy Rifkin: ‘The Empathic Civilization’

Civic “Empathy” became a political buzzword during the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor: As a “wise Latina woman,” was she too empathetic, selectively empathetic, or just-right empathetic? Perhaps time will tell, but in the meantime, says controversial social critic Jeremy Rifkin, empathy is our best—and possibly only—model for global survival in the early 21st century. Rifkin, founder and president of the Foundation on Economic Trends and author of The Empathic Civilization, believes we sit on the cusp of a great experiment to date—refashioning human consciousness so that humans can live and flourish in the new globalizing society—and that the development of empathy is central to a future in which we think and behave like the whole world matters. Presented by the Town Hall Center for Civic Life, with University Book Store. Series supported by the Otto Haas Charitable Trust. , , Advance tickets are $5 at www.brownpapertickets.com or 800/838-3006, or at the door beginning at… Friday, January 22, 2010, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.

Early Music Guild: Sequentia

Music Taken from the ancient Icelandic Edda legends, The Rheingold Curse is better known as the plot material for Wagner’s Ring operas. Benjamin Bagby, director of the medieval music ensemble Sequentia, presents this semi-staged saga of greed and revenge with Agnethe Christensen and Lena Susanne Norin, vocals; Elizabeth Gaver, medieval fiddle; and Norbert Rodenkirchen, flutes and lyre. The Rheingold Curse is sung in ancient Icelandic with English supertitles. A pre-concert lecture begins at 7 p.m. , Tickets are $42/$37/$25. Town Hall members receive a $5 discount. Visit www.earlymusicguild.org or 206/325-7066 for tickets and information. LEARN MORE: www.earlymusicguild.org www.sequentia.org. Saturday, January 23, 2010, 8:00 PM – 10:30 PM. Great Hall, enter on 8th Avenue.

Early Music Discovery: Nordic Ballads

Music The new trio Ulv, featuring singers Agnethe Christensen and Lena Susanne Norin and vielle artist Elizabeth Gaver, is devoted to performing Nordic ballads with both ancient and newly composed melodies. Ulv brings Nordic sagas and songs to life with a flair for the dramatic that communicates across cultures. This program is suitable for families with children over 10 years old. Tickets are $10/$5 students and seniors. Visit www.earlymusicguild.org or 206/325-7066 for tickets and information. LEARN MORE: www.earlymusicguild.org www.ulv.name. Sunday, January 24, 2010, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street.