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Free things to do in November

Free things to do in November

Take advantage of all the free activities on campus this month. Events range from free films to self-care to a special Veterans Day ceremony. See what's coming up.

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Free lunch with The Herd

  Wednesday, Nov. 6    11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Koenig Alumni Center
Enjoy a free lunch provided by The Herd on the first Wednesday of every month. This month’s event will feature free food from Rio Grande. Don't forget, you must have your CU Herd app ready to be scanned in order to get your free lunch and Herd swag.

Wellness Wednesdays: Smoothie bike

  Wednesday, Nov. 6    2–4 p.m.  Wardenburg, third floor
Curious about mindful eating? Join to explore what mindful eating means, and make your own smoothie on the person-powered smoothie bike! This weekly program provides a space to engage in self-care activities, learn about campus resources and build community. Themes rotate weekly. Join Nov. 13 for DIY bracelets and Nov. 20 to create conversation cards.

Blood drive: Give the gift of life

  Wednesday, Nov. 6; Thursday, Nov. 7   9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  Rec Center and ARCE
Donate blood and/or volunteer at the Staff Council blood drive on Main and East campuses. All donors will receive a free CU long-sleeved T-shirt.

Jews Out West symposium, exhibit preview

  Thursday, Nov. 7   4:30–7 p.m.  Fiske Planetarium
Confronted by the aftermath of the Holocaust and the establishment of a Jewish State after World War II, Jews found new ways to think of themselves as Jewish Americans in the American West. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. for an exhibit preview and light refreshments. The symposium will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. RSVP required.

Native Responses to Climate Change

  Thursday, Nov. 7   5:30–7 p.m.  Museum of Natural History
This event will focus on indigenous communities as the forefront of the climate movement. Many native communities across the globe have livelihoods and homelands which are directly threatened by climate change—learn from indigenous knowledge systems to aid in responding to this crisis. The event will feature a discussion panel of speakers who have worked on environmental justice at Standing Rock, with the United Nations and with the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change. 

Jazz ensemble concert

  Thursday, Nov. 7   7:30 p.m.  Imig Music, Grusin Music Hall
Come listen and support your fellow Buffs as The Thompson Jazz Studies Program presents big band repertoire in a variety of styles featuring ensemble playing and improvisation from the best jazz musicians at the College of Music. 

“Demystifying Art Entrepreneurship” talk

  Friday, Nov. 8    10 a.m. to noon  VAC 308
Join Instructor Brad Werner, Deming Center for Entrepreneurship in the Leeds School of Business, as he seeks to impart a framework and toolset that helps creative entrepreneurs develop sought-after products and services, avoid pitfalls and succeed at creative problem-solving.

Feel Good Fridays

  Friday, Nov. 8    12:15–12:45 p.m.  CU Art Museum
Stop by this drop-in workshop for an opportunity to be led through a powerful guided meditation to undo stress, soothe the nervous system and feel better. Remember to arrive on time; there is no late admittance! 

CU on Friday

  Friday, Nov. 8   4–6 p.m.  UMC 235
This event is all about bringing the CU community together; don’t miss this fun UMC tradition! This month’s fall festivities include: making your own leaf lanterns, free caramel apples and hot apple cider, chili and corn chips and of course VR and video games.

StepUp CU dance competition

  Friday, Nov. 8   6 p.m.  Rec Center, lower gym
Watch more than 10 diverse and different performances of various campus organizations and individual students in a competition for a trophy prize at the first annual StepUp CU dance competition. Food will be provided, and there will be a dance party afterward.

Program Council Film Series advance screening: Waves

  Sunday, Nov. 10   7–9 p.m.  Chem 140
From the producers of Euphoria comes Waves, directed by Trey Edward Shults. Get your heart ready for the stunning emotional epic that has been building heat since its rapturous world premiere at Telluride. Waves is a heartrending story about the universal capacity for compassion and growth even in the darkest of times. RSVP for this advance screening.

Observe the transit of Mercury

  Monday, Nov. 11   8–11:15 a.m.  Fiske Planetarium
Safely watch Mercury cross in front of the Sun. Mercury will appear as a tiny dot moving across the brilliant Sun, an astronomical rarity that will only occur 14 times this century. Stop by for a few minutes, stay for the entire morning or catch it on livestream.

Veterans Day Ceremony in the UMC

  Monday, Nov. 11   11 a.m.  UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
Join the University Memorial Center and Veteran and Military Affairs for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony honoring our veterans and active-duty service members. This year's event will feature keynote speaker Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock, the director of strategy, plans and policy for U.S. Space Command. Reception to follow.

I Love Mondays: Mac and cheese bar

  Monday, Nov. 11    2–3 p.m.  UMC North Dining Hall
Cure your case of the Monday blues with a mac and cheese bar! Located right by Alferd Packer Grill, I Love Mondays also promotes other opportunities on campus that you can get involved in. Join on Nov. 18 to plant cute little succulents.

Diversity and Inclusion Summit

  Tuesday, Nov. 12; Wednesday, Nov. 13    2–3 p.m.  UMC and Old Main
The 29th Diversity and Inclusion Summit extends the theme of intent and impact into its second year, offering two days of workshops and interactive experiences to help reduce fear and uncertainty, learn on many levels, and develop skills and tools for effective inclusive practices.  

Honor Code town hall

  Thursday, Nov. 14   Noon to 1 p.m.  UMC Aspen Rooms
The new honor code process was recently approved by the provost. Come learn about the changes and how it's benefitting undergraduates, graduate students and faculty. Coffee and cookies will be served.

Pizza & Perspectives: The Arabian Peninsula

  Thursday, Nov. 14   Noon to 1 p.m.  UMC 247
Pizza & Perspectives is a monthly lunchtime gathering featuring a panel of students from a specific region and, of course, free pizza! Come hear different international student perspectives on culture, life here in the U.S. and life back home; plus get a chance to ask your own questions.

Astrophotography showcase and workshop

  Thursday, Nov. 14   7–8:30 p.m.  Fiske Planetarium
Learn the tips and tricks for capturing the night sky: star trails, illuminated landscapes, deep sky images, camera settings, post processing technique and more. This showcase will highlight the work of several experienced photographers who will guide attendees through their favorite pieces. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 6:30 p.m. on the day of the event.

Buffalo Nites: Free tickets to the Denver Nuggets 

  Thursday, Nov. 14   8:30 p.m.  Pepsi Center
Grab a friend and a ticket to see the Denver Nuggets play the Brooklyn Nets! The Center for Student Involvement will be giving away 60 free tickets to the game. Check more information on how these tickets will be distributed.

International Coffee Hour

  Friday, Nov. 15   4–5:30 p.m.  UMC main dining area
All students, scholars, staff and faculty are welcome to stop by for free coffee, tea and snacks at this weekly social. It's a great opportunity to connect with the international community here at CU Boulder. This week, ALTEC will share information about the student services they provide. No coffee hour on Nov. 22 and 29.

Fri-Yay Nights: Middle East Night

  Friday, Nov. 15    7–11 p.m.  UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
Make connections, build community and have fun at Fri-Yay Nights! With a wide range of different events, Fri-Yay Nights brings a variety of fun activities to kick off the weekend right. Enjoy performances that showcase Middle Eastern culture, including singing, dancing and instrumentals. This event also includes a fashion show and comedy segment. There will be free food, henna, art displays and a photo booth. Other events this month also include hot chocolate and crafts, Nov. 8, and a power hour workout, Nov. 22, hosted by the Rec Center.

Science Under the Dome: Who is Roy G. Biv?

  Friday, Nov. 15    7 p.m.  Fiske Planetarium
This month's Science Under the Dome talk features astronomy graduate student Sam as he discusses the science behind color and how that affects technology and the world around us. He also will give this talk on Nov. 13.

Program Council Film Series: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

  Friday, Nov. 15    8–11 p.m.  Chem 140
Join the Program Council for this film about an actor, Rick Dalton, who gained fame and fortune by starring in a 1950s television Western but is now struggling to find meaningful work in a Hollywood he doesn't recognize anymore.

The Phantom Carriage: Silent film and live music

  Sunday, Nov. 17   2 p.m.  Muenzinger Auditorium
The Phantom Carriage tells the story of a ghostly carriage driver who forces a drunken man to look back at his wasted life on New Year's Eve. This film screening and accompanying live performance of the score celebrate director Rodney Sauer's recent gift of silent film scores from the Grauman Theater Collection.

Inclusive Communities of Practice Session: Habits of Inclusion for Classroom Culture

  Monday, Nov. 18   10:30 a.m. to noon  CASE W313
Interested in making excellence inclusive? This Inclusive Communities of Practice (ICoP) session will share effective practices for creating and sustaining an inclusive learning environment for everyone. 

UMC Farewell Feast

  Monday, Nov. 18   4–6 p.m.  UMC 235
Join the UMC to celebrate mid-semester accomplishments! Enjoy a hearty meal before you head off to a much-deserved fall break.

EU Chat: “The Economics & Politics of Immigration in the EU”

  Tuesday, Nov. 19   12:30–1:30 p.m.  CASE W313
Immigration has taken center stage in political discussions both in Europe and in the U.S. This talk will review recent trends in immigration, the underlying factors that drive migratory flows, the economic and budgetary implications and the policy actions taken by the EU and its member states. It will offer an opportunity to learn from each other’s experience and to create new ideas that can help the EU to design new policies. Registration required.

Visiting Artist Lecture: Mary Mattingly

  Tuesday, Nov. 19   6:30–7:45 p.m.  VAC Auditorium (1B20)
Mary Mattingly is the CU Art Museum's spring 2020 artist in residence. Her work has been exhibited at museums and sculpture parks around the world, and she is engaged in questions about how art can influence policy and strengthen the Commons.

Video game tournament

  Wednesday, Nov. 20   6 p.m.  UMC 415
Are you a gamer? Want bragging rights? Here’s your chance! This week features Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite on Xbox One; or join Nov. 6 to play Call of Duty on PS4. Sign-up starts at 6 p.m. Play begins at 7 p.m. Prizes for top finishers.

Inclusive Rec events: LGBTQ+ swim night

  Thursday, Nov. 21   7–9 p.m.  Rec Center, Clare Pool
Recreation Services and the Center for Inclusion and Social Change host this Inclusive Rec event. All identities, allies and body types welcome. This month’s events also include Vet Appreciation Week, Nov. 10–16, and learning to play Pickleball on Nov. 16. All Inclusive Rec activities are free to the CU community.

CU Boulder Wind Symphony concert

  Thursday, Nov. 21   7:30 p.m.  Macky Auditorium
The Wind Symphony's final concert of the fall semester will feature a variety of music, from Stravinsky to modern works written within the last three years. Composed of the most outstanding wind, brass and percussion students in the College of Music, the Wind Symphony is dedicated to performing the finest wind repertoire. Can't make it? Check out the the Symphonic Band concert on Nov. 20.

Introduction to Zen meditation

  Wednesday, Nov. 27   5 p.m.  UMC 102
Whether you're new to meditation or already have a practice, head into Thanksgiving break with some Zen. There will be a brief introduction to Zen Buddhism, a discussion about how to meditate, followed by 30 minutes of meditation, and then a brief discussion about the experience, followed by an optional 10-minute sitting. RSVP to sigman.byrd@colorado.edu.