North by Northwestern

Now that things are looking up – midterms and winter are mostly over (well ... midterms might be anyway) – why not enjoy yourself? Check out some on-campus music, art or theater.

Feb. 16

Opening of Neither Free | Nor

Instead of meeting up with friends at Norbucks, take a turn into the Dittmar Gallery and check out its new installation, Neither Free | Nor. The gallery will feature paintings by Art Institute of Chicago graduate Brittney Leeane Williams, focusing on Black femininity and Whiteness by incorporating nature and landscapes. Opening reception 6 p.m., Dittmar Gallery. Open Feb. 16 to March 28. Free.

Japanese Experimental Cinema: Between Protest and Performance, 1960-1975

If you can't make a trip to the Art Institute this weekend but still want to experience some culture, the Mary & Leigh Block Museum of Art is bringing an Art Institute exhibit to you. In conjunction with the Art Institute's Provoke: Photography in Japan between Protest and Performance, 1960-1975, the Block Museum will be screening three themed collections of short films over two days, with moderated discussions afterward. Motoharu Jonouchi and Nihon University Film Club, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.; Structures and Cinema, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.; Newsreel Documentaries of Masanori Oe, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Block Museum. $4 for Northwestern students and staff.

Feb. 17

Water by the Spoonful

Spectrum doesn't shy away from important conversations with its winter show, Water by the Spoonful. The Pulitzer-winning play is the second in a trilogy of plays about soldiers, and focuses on an Iraq war veteran who deals with transitioning to living as a civilian and recovering from drug addiction. Time TBA, McCormick Auditorium. Also Feb. 18, time TBA. Price TBA.

Aasif Mandvi

You might know him from The Daily Show as "senior Asian correspondent," "senior Muslim correspondent" or "senior foreign-looking correspondent," and now he's coming to NU to talk about media representation. Aasif Mandvi, who’s also acted and written a book, promises to be entertaining and thought provoking as the Muslim-Cultural Students Association and South Asian Student Alliance's winter speaker. 7 p.m., Tech Auditorium. Free.

Too Much A Capella Makes the Baby Go Deaf

Legend has it that Pitch Perfect was partially based on Northwestern's a capella scene, and that's all the more reason for you to support on-campus a capella groups. For its annual winter variety show, Purple Haze will perform everything from Vulfpeck to Britney Spears, proving you can't really have ~too much~ a capella. 10:30 p.m., Jones Great Room. Also Feb. 18, 10:30 p.m. $5 for Northwestern students.

Feb. 18

Celebrasia 2017: Year of the Rooster

CSA and TASC team up to cap off Lunar New Year festivities with an impressive showcase. The lineup definitely has mass appeal, featuring dance group Quest Crew, musician Nicole Tan, magician Rogue and beatboxer KRNFX for a celebration of culture that you won't want to miss. 7 p.m., Tech Auditorium. $5 advance, $7 door.