August has a quiet start, continuing the low-key rhythm of the summer on campus. But by the end of the month, it has moved into first gear as activities and events rev up for the opening of fall semester. Here are 10 things, all free, to put on your list to consider for the month:
1. Attend the last two lectures in the “Lift Every Voice: Racial Healing and Justice” series, either in person or remotely.
Candler faculty members wind up Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church’s summer lecture series. Elizabeth Corrie, Associate Professor in the Practice of Youth Education and Peacebuilding, will speak on "Christian Vocation and White Fragility" on Aug. 4. Alison Greene, Associate Professor of American Religious History, will discuss the "Histories of Race and Southern Churches in the 20th Century" on Aug. 18. The free lectures take place at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays in Glenn’s Ward Fellowship Hall. However, if you can’t make it in person, you can watch them live-streamed.
2. Take a tour of Emory’s recycling center.
Take an opportunity to learn about Emory’s extensive recycling efforts with a tour of the center where it’s all done. Sign up for the tour and then meet at the facility on Peavine Creek Drive at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5, for the free guided experience.
3. Help your child get the most out of their school experience.
Watch this webinar, Making the Grade: Helping Your Child Achieve in School, and get tips on structuring schoolwork time, getting involved in the school to be an effective advocate for your child, and more. If you’re taking classes, you might pick up a few tips for yourself. Register for the free webinar, which starts at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 7.
4. Party with popsicles at the Emory Farmers Market.
On Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 pm., the Emory Farmers Market will have a Pops Party, with popsicles and produce to celebrate the end of summer and the start of fall semester. The party will also coincide with the Student Sustainability Showcase so you can learn about sustainability groups on campus. You can go to the market for free but you’ll probably want to spend a few bucks when you see what’s being offered.
5. Tap into your logic skills and imagination.
“How Might We? Innovation in the Libraries" takes a look at the culture of creativity and innovation in Emory Libraries and how that inspires better ways of providing information, technology and expertise to students and faculty. The exhibit includes a Creativity Bar featuring hands-on activities, an overview of the libraries’ resources and more, all in the Schatten Gallery on Level 3 of the Woodruff Library. The exhibition is free and open to the public; opening and closing times can vary, so be sure to check hours.
6. See the film “To Be or Not to Be.”
Emory Cinemathetique is featuring the films of writer-director Billy Wilder and his mentor Ernest Lubitsch this fall. The fall series kicks off with “To Be or Not to Be,” directed by Lubitsch, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in Room 208 of White Hall. All of the screenings are free.
7. Hear the first concert of the new academic year.
Vladimir Milošević, considered one of the most prominent Serbian pianists of his generation, will perform Friday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Studio, which is in the Burlington Road Building. His free recital will feature works by Chopin, Schumann and Ravel.
8. Cheer on the Eagles in the season opener for women’s soccer.
The Eagles play Sewanee for their first game of the season. It will be Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. at McDonough Field and is free.
9. Listen to a discussion of Latinx writing and immigration.
The Decatur Book Festival: DBF-PEN America Keynote features inauguration poet Richard Blanco, author and poet Rigoberto González, and editor Gabriela Baeza Ventura, in conversation about Latinx writing and immigration, the power of literature to effect change and more. Broadcast journalist Mariela Romero will moderate. Tickets for the keynote, which is Friday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. are free but required. Reserve yours beginning Aug. 13 at noon at tickets.arts.emory.edu.
10. Catch outgoing and incoming exhibitions.
"Full Circle" by Anna Leo ends at noon on Saturday, Aug. 31. An associate professor of the Department of Theater and Dance, Leo used found and nontraditional materials to create a series of mandalas on display in the Chace Gallery of the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. The exhibition is free.
That same day, you can take a few steps to see an exhibition opening at the Michael C. Carlos Museum. “Through a Glass, Darkly”: Allegory and Faith in Netherlandish Prints from Lucas van Leyden to Rembrandt” will be in the big gallery on the third floor of the museum, which opens at 10 a.m. on Saturdays. Emory employees and students can see the exhibition for free.
Bonus event: Learn about some health and related topics.
Surgical Grand Rounds, early-morning lectures that are free and open to all, includes a variety of topics in August with wide appeal. Topics are: Necessity is the Mother of Invention on Aug. 1; Trust Me, I'm a Doctor on Aug. 8; Transplantation: Translational Science Fiction on Aug. 15; So You Want to be a Leader — Lessons Learned From a Path Less Traveled on Aug. 22; and Diverticular Disease: Beyond Nuts, Seeds and Popcorn on Aug. 29. All talks are held on Thursday mornings from 7-8 a.m. in the Emory University Hospital Auditorium (in the E-Wing). Grand Rounds can also be viewed remotely at: Grady Memorial Hospital; Emory Johns Creek Hospital; Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital; and Emory University Hospital Midtown.