As Valentine’s Day nears, Carleton College is pleased to present an appearance by the acclaimed vocal duo Asteria on Friday, February 12 at 8 p.m. in the Carleton College Concert Hall. Heralded by the New York Times as “meltingly beautiful” in their deliverance of timeless late Medieval love songs that transport listeners back to the age of chivalry, Asteria will present “A Most Sweet Glance: Love Songs from the Middle Ages.” This event is free and open to the public.

Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to a seat in the United States Congress as Representative of the 5th Congressional District of Minnesota, will speak at Carleton College on Friday, February 12 at 4 p.m. in the Severance Great Hall. Rooted in community activism and civil rights, Ellison has served as a strong Democratic voice in opposition of troop increases in Iraq, providing aid to victims of genocide in Darfur, championing stem cell research and health care reform, and raising the minimum wage.  After his presentation, Ellison will lead a follow-up question session and reception. This event is free and open to the public. 

On Saturday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m., Carleton College students will present their annual performance of Eve Ensler’s award-winning play “The Vagina Monologues” in the College’s Skinner Memorial Chapel. This even is free and open to public—all members of the community are welcome.

Todd Larson (Carleton Class of 1983), Senior Counselor at the New York Coordination Office of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), will deliver Carleton College’s weekly convocation address on Friday, February 12 at 10:50 a.m. in the Skinner Memorial Chapel. A division of the United Nations, WIPO is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international intellectual property system and promoting the protection of intellectual property throughout the world. This event is free and open to the public.

Eric Jolly, Ph.D., president of the Science Museum of Minnesota, will serve as the Carleton College Class of 1957 Visiting Interdisciplinary Scholar and Headley Distinguished Visitor-in-Residence on February 10-11 by holding a series of public lectures and demonstrations during his stay. An interdisciplinary scholar and educator, Jolly brings the perspectives of a scientist, a manager of one of the nation’s largest and most-esteemed science museums, an expert in education and professional development for teachers, a nationally recognized Cherokee basket weaver, and a former Cherokee National Storyteller. Jolly has lectured throughout the world and has published many books, scholarly articles, and curricula for students and teachers across the educational spectrum.