Outdoor gear galore

Looking for deals on sporting goods, rainwear, climbing gear, packs, boots or a bicycle helmet? That’s a sample of the selection to be found at Cornell Outdoor Education’s Annual Gear Sale.

The sale of new and used outdoor gear will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Ramin Room of Bartels Hall. It is open to everyone; come early for the best selection.

Lessons, carols … and “Gloria”

Sage Chapel Christmas Vespers, a holiday musical tradition at Cornell, returns with programs Sunday and Monday, Dec. 3 and 4, both at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. both nights. Admission is first-come, first-seated.

The traditional Lessons and Carols service features the Cornell University Chorus and Glee Club directed by Robert Isaacs, University Organist Annette Richards and readings by members of the Cornell community. Different readers are featured each night.

Audience participation is welcome on Christmas hymns, to include “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Joy to the World,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Silent Night,” “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.”

Musical selections include Thomas Tallis’ “O Nata Lux,” Leonard Bernstein’s “Almighty Father,” Benjamin Britten’s setting of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” Josquin Des Prez’ “Benedicta Es,” John Rutter’s arrangement of the Wexford Carol, David Willcocks’ arrangement of “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” and a piece by Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir.

The Department of Music presents the Cornell Chorale and Cornell Symphony Orchestra performing Vivaldi’s “Gloria” in concert, Friday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m. in Sage Chapel. (Historical note: The work, consisting of 12 movements based on the text of the hymn “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” was likely composed for students at the Ospedale della Pietà, the Venetian orphanage where Vivaldi taught.)

All events are free and open to the public.

Comedy, anime, a creepy clown

Cornell Cinema reopens Sunday, Dec. 3 with the Japanese animation hit “Your Name” in Willard Straight Theatre. Showing Dec. 3, 5 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., the 2016 film by director Makoto Shinkai unseated “Spirited Away” as the highest-grossing anime film of all time.

Also showing: “The Big Sick,” Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. Written by comedian Kumail Nanjiani and his wife, Emily Gordon, and based on their real-life relationship, the film stars Nanjiani and Zoe Kazan (as Emily), with Holly Hunter and Ray Romano.

The recent creepy clown thriller “It,” a new adaptation of the Stephen King novel, screens Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and continues Dec. 9-10.

Folk music in Anabel Taylor

“Bound for Glory” returns to Anabel Taylor Hall Sunday, Dec. 3, with a schedule change: guitarist and songwriter Ernie Lawrence performs in place of the previously scheduled New Cut Road String Band. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Live music begins at 8:30 p.m.

Lawrence plays acoustic music influenced by blues, jazz, old-time country and spirituals, with conversational storytelling interludes. He performs around western New York as a solo act and with his son, Andrew.

Now in its 51st season with founding host Phil Shapiro, M.A. ’67, “Bound for Glory” can be heard Sunday nights 8-11 p.m. on 93.5 FM and 105.5 FM and streaming online at wvbr.com.

Upcoming “Albums from the Studios” programs will feature Chanukah songs Dec. 10, and celebrate the Winter Solstice Dec. 17, Christmas Dec. 24 and New Year’s Dec. 31. Call in with requests at 607-273-2121. The next live concert broadcast is Jan. 28, 2018.

In a long-term relationship

Harry W. Greene, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, relates the fascinating story of snakes and primates’ influence on one another for millions of years, Dec. 4 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Road.

The Monday Night Seminar series in the Lab of O’s auditorium is free and open to the public.

In “Primates and Snakes: 75 Million Years of Deadly Dialogue?” Greene explores the theory that snakes have influenced the evolution of primate neurobiology, vision and fear, beginning as early as 75 million years ago with constricting predators and 50 million years ago with venomous adversaries. These long-term evolutionary relationships both challenge and inspire efforts to conserve snakes.

For information, email cornellbirds@cornell.edu or call 800-843-2473.

Food for thought: Cats and dogs

Veterinarian Joseph Wakshlag, DVM ’98, Ph.D. ’05, shares expert knowledge and tips for pet owners on combating obesity and promoting nutritional health, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Baker Institute for Animal Health, 235 Hungerford Hill Road, on East Hill.

Part of the Baker Pet Talks series, the presentation is free and open to the public. For those unable to attend, a live stream of Wakshlag’s talk and demonstration will be available 6-7:30 p.m.

Wakshlag also will discuss the pros and cons of dry versus wet food, and how owners can better understand their cats’ needs as carnivores.

The series is presented by the Baker Institute and the Cornell Feline Health Center, units of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Student auteurs

Join students from the Department of Performing and Media Arts’ film production courses as they present their work from this semester at a public screening Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Schwartz Center’s Kiplinger Theatre.

The screening will include films from the Introduction to Visual Storytelling and Documentary Filmmaking classes. Food and drinks will be provided. Admission is free. The Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts is at 430 College Ave. in Collegetown.

Watch the birdie

Charles Eldermire of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology shares the lab’s nationwide Bird Cams Project in a public talk Dec. 7 at Tompkins County Public Library in downtown Ithaca. The program will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the library’s BorgWarner Community Room East. While the talk is tailored to an adult level, all ages are welcome to attend.

Eldermire is project leader of the initiative, which sets up cameras at sites around the country and livestreams bird activities to viewers worldwide. He’ll present a highlights reel, answer questions about bird behavior and more.

Space is limited. Contact Cady at cfontana@tcpl.org to RSVP; advance registration is not required but RSVPs are appreciated.