10 events that will make you smarter this month
Because more than just college students can learn something new.
If you’re hoping to boost your intellect or expand your world view, look no further than Boston. The Greater Boston area is home to more than 40 colleges and universities – including prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT – and boasts some of the nation’s best and brightest doctors, writers, and scientists.
Knowledge is all around us–and we should take advantage of it. However, it can be daunting to scroll through a seemingly endless list events to find the city’s best intellectual offerings. The goal of this list is to provide a more manageable calendar of lectures, workshops, and other programs designed to make you smarter.
Here are 10 events in February that will satiate the curious mind.
Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine
Our nation’s culinary history can be boiled down to eight distinct flavors, according to food historian Sarah Lohman. Lohman will discuss three of these flavors in-depth, exploring how and why they came to be staples of the American kitchen. Before the program, check out the Chocolate exhibit, and afterward, join Lohman for a book signing and reception. A ticket is required for entry into this event. (Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Museum of Science; free; all ages)
A Community Responds: Three Films on the Global Refugee Crisis
According to CARE, there are more than 65 million displaced people across the globe, marking the worst international refugee crisis in history. Learn more about the plight of refugees by watching and discussing three films: Sonita (Feb. 2), After Spring (Feb. 9), and All of Me (Feb. 16). Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit IINE and RIAC, two nonprofits dedicated to assisting families of refugees throughout Massachusetts. (Thursdays, Feb. 2, 9, and 16 at 7 p.m.; Belmont Studio Cinema on Feb. 2 and 9, Belmont Public Library on Feb. 16; $11 general admission and $9 for students and seniors on Feb. 2 and 9, free on Feb. 16; all ages)
African-American Patriots Public Tours
Celebrate Black History Month by viewing the Freedom Trail from a new perspective: through the eyes of African-American revolutionaries. This 90-minute walking tour is led by a costumed guide and highlights black Bostonians such as Crispus Attucks, the first person killed in the Boston Massacre, and noted abolitionist Prince Hall. (Saturdays and Sundays throughout February, departing at 12:45 p.m.; Boston Common Visitor Information Center; $6.50 for children, $10 for students and seniors, $12 for adults; all ages)
Passage at St. Augustine: Film Screening and Discussion
Before the Black Lives Matter movement, there was the Passage at St. Augustine. Clennon L. King, the man behind the award-winning documentary Passage at St. Augustine, will be joined by state representative Byron Rushing and civil rights veteran Mimi Jones for a screening of the film and a conversation on race relations in America. (Thursday, Feb. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Boston Public Library; free; ages 13+)
Gender, Politics, and Imagination
Author Jennifer Finney Boylan, chair of the board of GLAAD and New York Times contributing op-ed writer, will facilitate a discussion of gender and sexuality issues on college campuses and beyond. She will be joined by two Harvard students: Schuyler Bailar, the first openly transgender athlete to compete on an NCAA Division I team, and Jessica Fournier, a campus activist focused on LGBTQ rights and sexual assault awareness. Registration is required. (Thursday, Feb. 16 at 4:15 p.m.; Harvard’s Knafel Center; free; all ages)
Symbiosis and the Evolution of Life in the Ocean
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the ocean. Harvard professor Peter R. Girguis will lead a virtual tour of ocean microbial life, examining the role microbes have played in marine biology, geology, and evolution, as part of the university’s Evolution Matters lecture series. (Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.; Harvard Museum of Natural History; free; all ages)
Yuval Noah Harari at the Brattle Theater
What’s next for humankind? As humans have developed and changed, so have the challenges we face. Bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari explores the next stage of evolution in his book, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. Harari will be joined in discussion by Harvard professor Michael Sandel, with a book signing to follow. (Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.; Brattle Theater; $5 admission, $34.75 for book and admission; all ages)
Next of Kin: Seeing Extinction through the Artist’s Lens
An interdisciplinary panel of professors will examine the relationship between complex ecological issues—such as climate change and extinction—and the arts. This discussion coincides with the Harvard Museum of Natural History’s new exhibition, Next of Kin: Seeing Extinction through the Artist’s Lens, which employs lighting and sound design to highlight specimen of endangered or extinct animals in Harvard collections. (Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.; Harvard Museum of Natural History’s Geological Lecture Hall; free; all ages)
Rivals Unto Death
Fans of the hit musical Hamilton will enjoy this deep dive into the three-decade-long relationship between notorious rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, culminating in the infamous duel that ultimately ended Hamilton’s life. Rick Beyer, bestselling author of The Greatest Stories Never Told series, recounts the story of Hamilton and Burr in his book, Rivals Unto Death. (Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.; Brookline Booksmith; free; all ages)
Making the Americas Modern: Images of Nationhood in Latin America
Professor Edward J. Sullivan of New York University will analyze the relationship between art and identity in mid-20th century Latin America. Through this illustrated lecture, you can learn more about how famous painters and muralists from Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic have expressed their individuality and national pride in their works. A ticket is required for entry into this event. (Sunday, Feb. 26 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Museum of Fine Arts; free; all ages)
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