Around campus

AROUND CAMPUS

How many words is all that worth?

COURTESY OF MCCORD MUSEUM

Just down from the Roddick Gates, McGill College Ave. has been transformed into an open-air photo gallery. In 29 pairs of stunning black-and-white photographs dating from the late 19th century to the 1980s, the McCord Museum's "Configurations" exhibit explores the vitality and diversity of social relations in Montreal while tracing the evolution of the city's architecture. On Sept. 13, camera buffs can take a guided tour of the exhibit while learning how to compare photographic techniques using historical and contemporary negatives. Inside the McCord, a new photo exhibit will be launched on Sept 1. "Souvenirs of Here: The Photograph Album as Private Archive" is a slection of images from the personal archives of Chinese Montrealers who have preserved their life's memories in photograph collections. A true revelation, this exhibition explores how photography is used as a means of remembering.

"Configurations," until Oct. 15; McGill College Ave. Guided tour, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. "Souvenirs of Here," from Sept. 1, 2007-April 20, 2008. For more information call 514-398-7100 or go to www.mccord-museum.qc.ca.

Souped-up science

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Imagine sitting in on a lecture where nanophysics, the behavioural ecology of rodents, Southeast Asian geography, and the cognitive neuroscience of language are all explored but for only a few minutes each. Intrigued? That's the idea behind the ever-popular (and always stirring) Soup & Science series. Now in it's fourth edition, the latest round of the Monday through Friday lunchtime sessions promises to continue helping undergrads get involved in research by showcasing an impressive line-up of professors and research opportunities within the Faculty of Science. Each session features six professors who present rapid-fire, three-minute summations of their areas of expertise and research interests. Once the presentations have wrapped-up, soup and sandwiches are served and students can then mingle with the presenters to find out more about research projects that have sparked an interest. Now that's food for thought.

Soup & Science, Sept. 10-14, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke Street West. For the series schedule, please visit www.mcgill.ca/science/ours/soupscience.

Hitting the right notes

COURTESY OF MCGILL CONSERVATORY

So, you think your kid might just be the next Canadian Idol, eh? Why not sign her up for the McGill Conservatory Youth Choir so she can fine-tune her talented pipes under the watchful eyes, and ears, of experts? Founded in 1994, the choir is comprised of singers from the ages of 12 to 18. Having garnered a reputation for its beautiful tone and smooth vocal blend, the choir has performed throughout Eastern Canada and, just this past summer, won a silver medal in the Mondial Choral Loto-Quebec. Students are exposed to a wide variety of musical styles and, unlike the rampant individualism of all the idol wannabes are taught proper vocal technique and the discipline of singing within a group. Auditions for the Conservatory's choirs (Children, Youth and Adult) take place on September 7, with the season going from September to May or June.

For more information on a McGill Conservatory Choir or to reserve an audition time, call 514-398-7673 or visit the website at www.mcgill.ca/conservatory.

Something to chew on

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If it isn't enough that the upcoming Food for Thought public lecture series at Mac will be presenting a full slate of thought-provoking and informative lectures for free throughout the fall semester, organizer Don Smith, is sweetening the pot. "We're serving coffee and cake," laughs the Chair of the Department of Plant Science. "That makes it even better than free."

Enlisting leading researchers from McGill and beyond, Smith has cooked up a tantalizing smorgasbord of lectures that fall under the theme "challenges for the 21st century." Every second Tuesday, beginning on Sept 11, a different topic will be served ranging from biosecurity and biosafety to obesity in the Western world—a menu guaranteed to please the most discerning intellectual palate.

Food for Thought; every second Tuesday from Sept. 11 - Nov. 20, 7 p.m. Raymond Building, rm R2-045, Mac campus. Admission free. For the series schedule, please go to www.mcgill.ca/macdonald/publiclectures/foodforthought.