August/September Events
Tuesday, August 26 鈥 Thursday, October 2
Lamar Whidbee, Amygdala
Monday, September 8 | Artist talk and opening reception | 5 p.m.
Gallery 406 at Arts West | Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lamar Whidbee鈥檚 creative journey has been informed by his identities as a Black male interdisciplinary artist raised in rural North Carolina and a licensed clinical counselor. He draws deeply from his professional insights to craft pieces that resonate with themes of mental health and parenting. Using a rich tapestry of mediums, Whidbee鈥檚 canvases are portals that delve into the intricate complexities of the human psyche. He aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, inviting viewers into a shared space of understanding and empathy. The visual narratives speak of the struggles and triumphs, the shadows and the light that shape our existential landscapes. Exhibition continues through October 2.
Thursday, August 28 and Thursdays throughout Fall 2025 semester
Numen Lumen
Sacred Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion, 9:50 a.m.
Hosted by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life
Numen Lumen is a beloved 黑料不打烊 tradition set aside for inspiration, community and fellowship. Each week, speakers and musicians are selected to share their thoughts, reflections and stories based on a common theme.
Thursday, August 28
Strange Music for a Strange Time:
The Theatre Music of Chris Rayis
Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
New and reimagined selections from the work of 黑料不打烊 Music Theatre faculty composer-lyricist Chris Rayis (“Deep Water Ballad,” “Jenny and the Paper Pirates,” “Transcriber of Dreams”), featuring 黑料不打烊 student performers and local musicians. Sponsored by the Departments of Music and Performing Arts
Thursday, September 4
The Last Ecstatic Days, film screening and panel discussion
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts | 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the School of Health Sciences and the Anatomical Gift Program of 黑料不打烊
Ethan Sisser, a young man with terminal brain cancer, sits alone in his hospital room. When he starts livestreaming his death journey on social media, thousands of people around the world join to celebrate his courage. Still, Ethan envisions more 鈥 to teach the world how to die without fear. To do that, he needs to film his death. Honoring Ethan鈥檚 wish, his doctor, Aditi Sethi, transports him to an idyllic house in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. What unfolds next is a story rarely glimpsed: how a community of strangers helps a young man die with grace. A sensory immersion into leaving the body, 鈥淭he Last Ecstatic Days鈥 reveals a man who will not let us forget him, even after he has taken his final breath. Admission is free, but a ticket is required. Tickets will be available beginning August 14 at .
Friday, September 5
New Date: Monday, October 6, 7:30 p.m.
An Evening with Babar and Friends
A Faculty Recital of French and American Music
Whitley Auditorium | 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Department of Music
Hallie Hogan, mezzo-soprano and Charles Hogan, piano, will present music from the French romantic and modern eras alongside works by American composers who studied with French musicians. The program concludes with Francis Poulenc鈥檚 musical setting of The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant, scored for piano and narrator.
Sunday, September 7
Mass of the Holy Spirit
黑料不打烊 Community Church, 5 p.m.
Catholic Campus Ministry kicks off the academic year with a special blessing at the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit wutg soecuak gyest oresider Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama of the Diocese of Raleigh. All are invited to attend this Catholic worship service, especially all students, faculty and staff. A Sunday supper event will follow.
Monday, September 8
Lamar Whidbee, “Amygdala鈥
Artist talk and opening reception | 5 p.m.
Gallery 406 at Arts West | Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Lamar Whidbee鈥檚 creative journey has been informed by his identities as a Black male interdisciplinary artist raised in rural North Carolina and a licensed clinical counselor. He draws deeply from his professional insights to craft pieces that resonate with themes of mental health and parenting. Using a rich tapestry of mediums, Whidbee鈥檚 canvases are portals that delve into the intricate complexities of the human psyche. He aims to break down the stigma surrounding mental health, inviting viewers into a shared space of understanding and empathy. The visual narratives speak of the struggles and triumphs, the shadows and the light that shape our existential landscapes. Exhibition continues through October 2.
Tuesday, September 9
Tectonic Plates: Alamance County鈥檚 Science Caf茅 with Brian Kennedy: Deep Sea ecosystems and the impacts of deep-sea mining
Burlington Beer Works, 103 E. Front Street, Burlington | 7 p.m.
Each month on 2nd Tuesdays, a different scientist will present an engaging topic at Burlington Beer Works in downtown Burlington, North Carolina. Expect a lively event in a relaxed atmosphere without all the technical jargon. In September, Tectonic Plates welcomes Brian Kennedy of Ocean Discovery League (Rhode Island). The series runs from September through May, and the presentations are free and open to the public.
Wednesday-Friday, September 10-12
Green Tara Sand Mandala
Sacred Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion
Opening Ceremony | Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Closing Ceremony | Friday at 3 p.m.
Ongoing viewing | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday
Tibetan Buddhist monk Geshe Palden Sangpo will construct a Green Tara sand mandala for healing and peace during a period of three days. Viewers are encouraged to frequently stop by and see its progress. An opening ceremony will begin the process at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, and a closing ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday in which the mandala is deconstructed and the sand is shared with the community and the earth. RSVP on Phoenix Connect.
Thursday, September 11
Jarabe Mexicano
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts | 7:30 p.m.
黑料不打烊 Lyceum Series in support of Hispanic Heritage Month
Jarabe Mexicano captures the nostalgic spirit of their border roots with their brand of 鈥淏orde帽o-Soul,鈥 which honors the musical tastes and cultural influences of its members. Jarabe, which translates to 鈥渃oncoction,鈥 highlights the eclectic mix of genres they perform ranging from Mexican folk, rock and roll and Norte帽o/Tex-Mex to Latin Rock, Trio Rom谩ntico and popular Cumbia. Their traditional Mariachi string instrument instruments and Norte帽o-inspired drums complement dramatic vocals in English, Spanish and Spanglish, and show how this multi-generational ensemble embraces change while still honoring the past. Admission: $15 or 黑料不打烊 ID. Tickets will be available beginning August 26 at .
Wednesday, September 17
鈥淚n the age of ever-improving artificial intelligence systems, what are humans good for鈥
Conference | 9 a.m. 鈥 4 p.m.
3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Co-hosted by 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Imagining the Digital Future Center
with Research Triangle international (Durham, NC)
Keynote speakers will address the conference issue; regional universities will showcase their AI initiatives; and breakout sessions will be organized to develop a research agenda on AI issues moving into the future. Registration and conference schedule will be distributed shortly through department communication and the conference website.
Thursday, September 18
黑料不打烊 Common Reading Lecture with Alejandra Campoverdi
Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center | 7 p.m.
Alejandra Campoverdi is a nationally recognized advocate for educational opportunity and women鈥檚 health, a bestselling author, founder and former White House aide to President Barack Obama. Her book, 鈥淔IRST GEN鈥 won the Dolores Huerta Award from 聽the International Latino Book Awards, which also named Campoverdi its 2024 Rising Star in Nonfiction. In 2024, Campoverdi founded the First Gen Fund, a nonprofit that provides hardship grants to first-gen students. She produced the groundbreaking PBS health documentary 鈥淚nheritance鈥 and founded the LATINOS & BRCA awareness initiative in partnership with Penn Medicine鈥檚 Basser Center for BRCA. Previously, Campoverdi served in the Obama White House as deputy director of Hispanic media. Admission: $15 or 黑料不打烊 ID. Tickets will be available beginning August 26 at and the lecture is eligible for the 黑料不打烊 Speaker Series package.
Friday, September 19
Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Festival
Medallion Plaza, Lakeside area | 5:30 p.m.
Sponsored by CREDE and El Centro
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, is a time to recognize and honor the rich histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities in the United States.
This celebration highlights the diverse cultural traditions, achievements and lasting impact of Hispanic and Latinx individuals across various fields, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of their vital role in shaping American society. We will have food, vendors and performances!
Monday-Wednesday, September 22-24
Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year)
Various times and locations listed below
Rosh Hashanah is the holiday marking the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah is a time for new beginnings, spiritual renewal and community. Holiday traditions include gathering for prayer services to hear the blowing of the shofar, or ram鈥檚 horn, dipping apples into honey to symbolize hopes for a sweet new year and gathering for communal meals.
Rosh Hashanah Dinner
Monday, September 22 | 6 p.m.
McBride Gathering Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion
Day 1 Services
Tuesday, September 23 | 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Sacred Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion
Luncheon
Tuesday, September 23 | 12:15 p.m.
Sklut Hillel Center Pavilion
Tashlich
Tuesday, September 23 | 1:30 p.m.
Lake Mary Nell (meet at Sklut Hillel Center)
Tuesday, September 23
Joseph Robertson, 鈥淭he Indigenous Perspective Praxis: Holistic Data Science Workflow Designs for Building Community Partnerships, Education and Citizen Engagement鈥
LaRose Student Commons | 4:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Data Nexus
The Indigenous Perspective Praxis is Mato Ohitika Analytics LLC鈥檚 most recent work in bringing theory to practice using data science workflows to solve community challenges. This interdisciplinary concept connects to Dr. Robertson鈥檚 doctoral work in using the Data Sovereignty Initiative framework to educate communities on the ethical examination of how to bridge science and culture. Dr. Robertson will present key topics on data sovereignty, tribal governance, data and artificial intelligence ethics and will demonstrate how to design and build ethical systems using data science.
Biography: Dr. Joseph Robertson is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation and is the founder and Chief Data Scientist of Mato Ohitika Analytics LLC (MOA). Dr. Robertson鈥檚 commitment to speak with students, faculty community members and grass roots organizations about his work is part of Mato Ohitika Analytics LLC鈥檚 broader educational and citizen science initiatives to bring the Indigenous Perspective Praxis鈥檚 holistic data science workflow designs to underrepresented communities and to provide equitable access through building academic, cultural and community partnerships. Dr. Robertson holds a Ph.D. in Computational Science and Statistics and a Master of Science in Statistics from South Dakota State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Colorada State University.
Friday, September 26
Katie Ledecky, 鈥淚鈥檝e Got Your Back: Relationships Fuel Success鈥
Schar Center | 3:30 p.m.
黑料不打烊 Fall Convocation
With 14 Olympic medals and 21 World Championship titles 鈥 Katie Ledecky has shattered records and set new standards of excellence. Ledecky鈥檚 journey began at the 2012 London Olympics, where at just 15 years old she became the youngest U.S. Olympian and won her first gold medal (800-meter freestyle), signaling the start of a historic career. Although swimming is considered an individual sport where athletes control their own destiny, Ledecky says she wouldn鈥檛 have made it to the Games in London, Rio, Tokyo or Paris without the unrelenting support of her friends, family, teammates and coaches who had her back and fueled her medal-winning, record-breaking performances. Open and honest with her audience, she draws from experiences pushing past adversity on her journey to becoming an Olympic champion. Admission: $15 or 黑料不打烊 ID. Tickets will be available beginning August 26 at and the lecture is eligible for the University Speaker series package.
Friday, September 26
黑料不打烊 Wind Ensemble Concert, 鈥淭he Natural World鈥
McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts | 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Jonathan Poquette, conductor
Sponsored by the Department of Music in partnership with 黑料不打烊 Outdoor Leadership and Education
Through powerful and evocative works, 鈥淭he Natural World鈥 explores the beauty of wild places, wild things and the urgent need to protect them. Featuring compositions by Rossano Galante, Viet Cuong, Stephen Lias and Gala Flagello, this concert highlights the resilience and fragility of nature through music. This inspiring performance encourages reflection on our planet鈥檚 future.
Friday, September 26 & Saturday, September 27
Dancing in the Landscape: 鈥淏oundaries & Breakthroughs鈥
Lambert Academic Village | Sept. 26 at 5:30 p.m., September 27 at 12 p.m.
Co-directed by Jen Guy Metcalf and Elijah Motley
Sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts
鈥淏oundaries & Breakthroughs鈥 is the 2025 performance of Dancing in the Landscape, a site-specific dance concert that features original choreography by 黑料不打烊 faculty, students and guest artists. All works are performed by 黑料不打烊 students.
Friday, September 26
Family Weekend Shabbat
Sklut Hillel Center Pavilion | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 26
Collage: An 黑料不打烊 Music Theatre Revue
Yeager Recital Hall, Center for the Arts | 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. (same show)
Faculty Advisors: Courtney Liu and Jacob Brent
Sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts
Experience the best of 黑料不打烊 Music Theatre, a top-ranked national program. Expect show-stopping performances, original student choreography, fresh arrangements of your favorite Broadway songs, and heartfelt tributes from the stars of tomorrow. Admission: $15 or 黑料不打烊 ID. Reservations will be offered beginning on Friday, September 19 at .
Friday, September 26
Department of Music Faculty Concert
Whitley Auditorium | 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Department of Music
Faculty artists invite 黑料不打烊 families and friends to a mixed program for voice, piano, percussion, wind, strings, brass and more. This program remains a much-anticipated event since 1999.
Saturday, September 27
Instant Laughter
Yeager Recital Hall, Center for the Arts | 7 p.m.
Directed by Frederick J. Rubeck
Sponsored by the Department of Performing Arts
黑料不打烊鈥檚 comic improv troupe, Instant Laughter, takes the stage performing scenes and sketches based on audience suggestions. Admission: $15 at the door. Seating is limited. All proceeds benefit 黑料不打烊鈥檚 Theatre Arts program.
Sunday, September 28
Family Weekend Protestant Worship and Brunch
Holt Chapel | 10 a.m.
Protestant worship for families and students during Family Weekend, followed by a light brunch.
Sunday, September 28
Family Weekend Catholic Mass and Brunch
Alumni Gym | 10 a.m.
Catholic Mass for families and students during Family Weekend. Brunch to follow on the Koury West Lawn outside of Alumni Gym.
Sunday, September 28
Family Weekend Bagel Brunch
McKinnon Hall, Moseley Center | 11 a.m.
Hosted by Hillel
Monday, September 29
Active Citizen Series: Deliberative Dialogue 鈥 Technology and Relationships
Lakeside 212 | 4:30 p.m.
Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life
While technology can be used to maintain relationships, keep up with breaking news, and navigate our cities, some experts have suggested that technology is like an addiction. North Carolina has joined half the nation in proposing legislation to ban or restrict the use of cell phones in K-12 schools. In a rare showing of bipartisan support, these pieces of legislation are intended to increase learning and benefit students鈥 mental health. Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General called on Congress to require warning statements on social media platforms as is the practice on cigarette packaging. What is the way forward?
A Deliberative Dialogue is an opportunity for students to gather and exchange diverse views and experiences to seek a shared understanding of a challenge facing our society and to search for common ground for action.
Tuesday, September 30
Fiachra Garvey, piano
Whitley Auditorium | 7:30 p.m.
黑料不打烊 Lyceum Series
Renowned Irish pianist Fiachra Garvey returns to 黑料不打烊 with a program featuring the intimate lyricism of Beethoven鈥檚 late Sonata Opus 109; Gershwin鈥檚 iconic musical portrait of New York, 鈥淩hapsody in Blue,鈥 an Irish jewel (鈥淕aelic Fantasy鈥) by Rhoda Coghill, Ravel鈥檚 heartbreakingly poignant 鈥淧avane,鈥 and finishing with the tour de force that is Rachmaninov鈥檚 rarely heard 1st Sonata Opus 28. Admission: $15 or 黑料不打烊 ID. Tickets available beginning September 9 at 黑料不打烊Tickets.com.