Water, water everywhere

In conjunction with the Society for the Humanities' theme for 2008-09, "Water: A Critical Concept for the Humanities," Cornell Cinema presents a film series this semester that explores our relationship with water as friend and foe, metaphor and hard reality. From swimming pools in India and France to the ocean floor, from rising floodwaters in New Orleans to a hydroelectric project in China, the one constant with water is that it is always moving and always changing. The series begins with "The Pool" (Jan. 23 and 26), followed by "Flow: For Love of Water" (pictured), investigating the effects of corporate control of potable water. A panel discussion will follow the Jan. 28 screening.

Accessing Asian resources

Cornell's East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia programs offer a daylong conference for scholars in the greater New York region whose teaching and research focuses on Asia, Jan. 24, at Robert Purcell Community Center. The conference will provide ways to access Cornell's vast resources on all parts of Asia. Information: http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/outreach/3asiaconference.asp.

Soup and Hope

The free weekly winter series "Soup and Hope" continues Wednesdays at noon in Sage Chapel. Soup and bread will be served (bring a bowl) and members of the Cornell community will share stories of hope. Speakers: Jan. 28: human rights activist Jocelyn Getgen '00, J.D. '07,; Feb. 11: educator Richard Kiely, Ph.D. '05; Feb. 25: Gary Stewart, deputy director of Cornell's Office of Government and Community Relations; March 11: Vivian Relta '79, of Cornell human resources; March 25: Anke Wessels, executive director of the CRESP Center for Transformative Action. Information: http://curw.cornell.edu.

Body image, dramatized

"The Body Project," a play inspired by the book of the same name by Cornell professor emerita Joan Jacobs Brumberg, explores the disconnect between the choices and opportunities available to modern women and the dissatisfaction they feel with their bodies. The play comes to the Schwartz Center Jan. 28-Feb. 1 and Feb. 4-8 at 7:30 p.m., with three matinees Feb. 1, 7 and 8 at 2 p.m. Among those participating in post-show discussions following each performance will be Brumberg (on opening night; she will also sign books before the show), representatives from the Cornell Women's Resource Center and Gannett Health Services, the cast, playwrights Leslie Jacobson and Vanessa Thomas, and director Emily Ranii '07. Tickets: 607-254-ARTS.

Guest recital

Organist Thiemo Janssen performs works by Froberger, Frescobaldi, Muffat, Liszt and Vierne, among others, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. in Sage Chapel.

Ithaca Youth Bureau celebrated

Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark, N.J., and recording artist Samite of Uganda will appear at the State Theatre in Ithaca on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Ithaca Youth Bureau and its service to the community. Cornell is assisting in hosting the event, and several Cornell groups are co-sponsors. Tickets: $10, available online at http://stateofithaca.com/IthacaYouthBureau/ or call 607-27-STATE.

Picturing Eden

Photographer Adam Fuss will speak at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art on Jan. 29 at 5:15 p.m. His work is included in the current exhibition "Picturing Eden," featuring more than 150 works by contemporary artists including Mike and Doug Starn, Sally Mann, Jo Whaley, Alec Soth, John Pfahl and others.

Ringing in the Lunar New Year

Cornell Educational Resources for International Studies, the East Asia Program and the Ithaca Asian American Association are collaborating on events celebrating the Lunar New Year for the community and in schools. On Jan. 30 at Ithaca's Women's Community Building at 5:30 and 9 p.m, a Lunar New Year celebration will feature a lion dance and performances by Cornell student organizations, including Amber Dance Troupe, Shimtah, Illuminations and FantAsia. Hors d'oeuvres by local Asian restaurants. Free with tickets. Information: Sophie Huntington, srh43@cornell.edu, 255-5475.