Whither Africa?

The Institute for African Development will host its annual symposium of international scholars and practitioners May 1-2. The event, beginning at 3 p.m. May 1 at the ILR Conference Center, has the theme, "The Food and Financial Crises and Their Impact on the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Africa." World Bank economist Vera Songwe will deliver the keynote on "The Effects of the Global Financial and Economic Crises on Sub-Saharan Africa." Free and open to the public. Information: http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/africa/academics/food_finance_abstract.asp.

Sound and light

The Cornell Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chris Younghoon Kim, performs May 2 at 8 p.m. in Bailey Hall. The program features "Son et Lumière" by Cornell's Steven Stucky and Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite."

Spring Dance Concert

"John, I'm Only Dancing" will be performed May 2-3 at 8 p.m. at the Schwartz Center's Class of '56 Dance Theatre. The concert gets its name from a 1970s David Bowie song. It features original choreography by faculty members and students, 20 faculty and student dancers and a mix of pop music from the 1970s and 1980s, as well as new music by Thom York of Radiohead. Tickets: $4 in advance; call 607-254-ARTS.

From carpenter to songwriter

Scotland-born Canadian singer-songwriter David Francey will sing on WVBR's Bound for Glory, broadcast live from the Cafe at Anabel Taylor Hall May 3 at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. Information: Phil Shapiro, 607-844-4535, pds10@cornell.edu.

Animated myth and music

"Sita Sings the Blues" -- a subversive and feminist musical version of the "Ramayana" written, directed, produced and animated by comic strip artist Nina Paley -- comes to Cornell Cinema May 6-9. Parallel stories of two women dumped by their long-distance husbands are set to a soundtrack of classic ballads sung by jazz icon Annette Hanshaw. Paley calls the film "a tale of truth, justice and a woman's cry for equal treatment" and is making free downloads available. Her inventive stylized 2-D animations use a variety of techniques in the present-day autobiographical story and the Indonesian shadow puppet style of the "Ramayana" section.

Hi def student films

Students from Advanced Film Production and Cinematography: Acting and Directing for the Camera will premiere their spring films May 3 at 6:45 p.m. in the Willard Straight Theatre, for the first time in high definition. Students and faculty collaborated to create new narrative scenes, experimental exercises and special projects.

Shadow theater

Balinese shadow master I Made Sidia directs Wayang Kali, an experimental shadow theater performance blending contemporary and traditional elements that recounts the Hindu Mahabharata from the perspective of Kali, the Goddess of Death, May 8, 8 p.m., Barnes Hall Auditorium. Free.

The Barron Collection

Contemporary Art from the collection of Nora Lee Smokler Barron '59 and Guy Barron are on exhibit at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art through July 5. The work of 26 artists in pop, conceptual and minimalist styles are on view, including works by Close, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Giacometti, Johns, Lichtenstein, Stella and others.