So what if school's out for summer? June promises plenty in the way of brainy endeavors. Drop the beer bong, resist that urge to wear a swimsuit as everyday clothing, and dig a pen and some paper out of that book bonfire.
Here are our five lecture picks for summertime smarties:
5. "Why Doesn't Phoenix Do That?" We're no strangers to making wish lists. In fact, we've whipped ones up for things we'd like to see on Mill Avenue, Roosevelt Row, and in Downtown Mesa. If you have big ideas for Phoenix bring them to AIGA Arizona's "Why Doesn't Phoenix Do That?" discussion/lecture at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 11, at SWITCH Studio. General admission is $5 and members pay a $5 seat reservation fee which is refunded at the door. Participation will be capped at 12 attendees.
4. "Documenting War: How Close is Too Close?" CBS 5 News investigative reporter Morgan Loew discusses the formation of relationships with subjects, focusing on wartime bonding in relation to the World War II photography of W. Eugene Smith and Loew's 2003 experiences covering soldiers as a journalist in Kuwait City. The ArtBreak Gallery Talk takes place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13, at Phoenix Art Museum. Admission is free.
3. Coping with Phoenix Heat: Past, Present and Future Yeah, yeah. We're sweaty, too. So far our years coping with Arizona summers have included carrying deodorant at all times and never exposing our underarms. Luckily the folks at ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability have some bigger, better ideas that they'll share when hosting a panel of experts on Wednesday, June 13, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in room 481 of Wrigley Hall. Lunch will be served, and attendees can RSVP on the event's site.
2. "Hammock Camping" Our most hated enemy while camping? That'd be bugs. Just the though of those creepy crawlers climbing into our sleeping bag could keep us itching and squirming with fear all night. That's why we're kind of stoked on hammock camping, which sounds like an amazing and leisurely alternative to zonking on the hard, insect-infected ground. For the full run-down on the practice, check out Derek Hansen's upcoming lecture at at REI in Tempe on Wednesday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m. Register for the event, which is free but has limited seating available.
1. "Urban Orcharding in the Desert" It's said you reap what you sow, and for a literal interpretation of the phrase with some how-to thrown in hit up the lecture "Urban Orcharding in the Desert" to learn about planting, caring for, and harvesting fruit trees. Bryan White will guide those eager to plant through tree selection and care at Valley Permaculture Alliance on Tuesday, June 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. There's a $15 suggested donation.
