Don't Miss It!

Eagerness for a freshening of the flow of ideas is a mark of a thriving campus, and the Presidential Lecture Series is stepping up twice very soon. On Jan. 30, it will bring J.D. Vance, a political commentator, investment firm principal and best-selling author of "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis." On Feb. 1, the series will present Stan Druckenmiller, whose investment firm posted astonishing returns during its 1981-2010 run and who has received acclaim for outsized philanthropy. It's about where the mind starts and goes. Don't Miss It!

JANUARY 25

Margot L. Shetterly, author of the "Hidden Figures" book that inspired the current movie, will speak; she also is the founder of a project to recover names and feats of women who worked at NACA and NASA in 1930s through 1980s. 7:30 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. News release

JANUARY 27

"Safety Last!" starring Harold Lloyd will bring one of the gems of the silent movie era to town to join with Clark Wilson live on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ at 8 p.m. at the Long Center, 111 N. Sixth St., Lafayette. Pre-show at 6:30 p.m. $. Details

JANUARY 29

"Erth's Dinosaur Zoo Live" by Erth Visual and Physical Inc. will offer a theatrical presentation using lifelike puppets. 3 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. Pre-show learning time at 2 p.m. in STEW, west lobby. All ages. $. Details

JANUARY 26-29

Sports outlook. It's a big conference, we're told, but Purdue keeps getting the same opponents.
* Women's basketball will aim to harvest a win against Nebraska at 8 p.m. Jan. 26. $. Women's basketball

* Swimming and diving (W&M) will have two sets of triple duals with Minnesota and Northwestern at 6 p.m. Jan.  27 and noon Jan. 28. Men's | Women's
* Wrestling will tangle with Nebraska at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 and Minnesota at 1 p.m. Jan. 29. $. Wrestling

JANUARY 30

The Presidential Lecture Series, in the first of two events this week, will welcome J.D. Vance, political commentator, Silicon Valley investment firm principal and author of "Hillbilly Elegy." The format is discussion with President Mitch Daniels plus audience Q&A. 6:30-7:30 p.m. in STEW, Fowler Hall. Series news release

JANUARY 31

Calmus, the renowned vocal quintet from Germany, will resonate with the theater and music worlds in "All the World's a Stage: Shakespeare A Cappella." 7:30 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas Center, 535 W. State St. Pre-show dinner option for ticketholders. $ for each. Details

FEBRUARY 1

The Presidential Lecture Series is bringing in Stan Druckenmiller, a highly successful investor who moved on to a renowned record as a philanthropist. The format is discussion with President Mitch Daniels plus audience Q&A.  6:30-7:30 p.m. in STEW, Fowler Hall. Series news release

FEBRUARY 3

Jazz Swing Dance. A few years earlier and a whole lot swingier than a sock hop, this dance event will feature Purdue's jazz bands. 8-9:30 p.m. Córdova Recreational Sports Center, Feature Gym. Details

FEBRUARY 4

The globally known Purdue Varsity Glee Club will present a "Song of Hope" benefit concert supporting the St. Mary Cathedral Parish Haiti ministry. Concert at 7:30 p.m. St. Mary Cathedral, 1207 Columbia St., Lafayette. $ for dinner/concert or concert-only. Details

FEBRUARY 1-2

Sports outlook. It's groundhog time, so let's hope winning repeats itself.
* Men's basketball will try to give Northwestern directions to the loss column at 8:30 p.m. Feb. 1. $. Men's basketball
* Women's basketball will face conference power Maryland at 8 p.m. Feb. 2. $. Women's basketball

A PEEK AHEAD

FEBRUARY 9

Books and Coffee brings its annual dose of relief from winter with faculty talks about currently talked-about books. This year has a variation: sessions will be Feb. 9, 16 and 23, then March 23 so President Daniels can fit a turn as speaker into his calendar. 4-5 p.m.; locations vary. Series with links to book details.

FEBRUARY 11

The Evening of Romance featuring Purdue Jazz Band returns, blending music, dance, food and drink. 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Marriott Hall. Tickets (on sale and expected to go fast): $25; important to review event information regarding ticket, seating and alcohol information. Questions: Jaclyn Heinz at 765-496-6785

FEBRUARY 17

"Cabaret" from Purdue Theatre opens in a production directed by Amy Lynn Budd (rated PG-15). Shows Feb. 17-26. Purdue Theatre

These and other events, plus other timely information, are listed in the Purdue Today calendars under "Events" under the Campus News pulldown at www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday.