Publishing the humanities

The university will host a forum on academic publishing in the humanities Nov. 7-8 in A.D. White House. All events are free and open to the public. Participants include literary scholars, scholarly publishers, academic librarians and foundation representatives, who will address the prospects for humanities publishing in a time of economic challenge and explore how the space for intellectual exchange can be preserved and expanded. Forum schedule; More information: Kizer Walker, kw33@cornell.edu

East Asia conference

The Association of Chinese Professors of Social Sciences in the United States (ACPSS), Cornell University Library and the Cornell East Asia Program co-sponsor the 14th ACPSS international conference Nov. 7-8. The conference's theme, "East Asia Studies: Challenges of Complex Realities in an Era of Globalization and Digitization," will be explored in panels and speeches. The conference is held in conjunction with the 90th Jubilee of Cornell's Wason Collection on East Asia. Registration and schedule

Smashing Chordials

Cornell's student-run, co-ed a cappella group the Chordials will release its fifth studio album, "Smash," at a Nov. 7 performance at Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall, at 8 p.m. The group's previous album, "Arrival," received acclaim and won Contemporary a Cappella Recording Awards for Best Mixed Collegiate Arrangement and Best Mixed Collegiate Album of 2008. Tickets: chordials.com, Facebook and the Willard Straight Hall ticket office.

Music for films

The Alloy Orchestra returns to Cornell Cinema this weekend to perform original scores (on synthesizer, clarinet, junk percussion, accordion, saw and banjo) to accompany classic silent films. Screenings include "Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness," a quasi-documentary by "King Kong" filmmakers Merian Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack (Nov. 8, 2 p.m.), and two recently restored Josef von Sternberg titles: "Underworld" (Nov. 7, 7:15 p.m.) and "The Last Command" (Nov. 8, 7:15 p.m.). Information: 255-3522.

Virtuoso pianist in a state of jazz

Acclaimed pianist Marc-André Hamelin performs Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. in Bailey Hall. His program spans two centuries: Haydn Sonatas, Hob. XVI: 23 and 41; Weissenberg's "Sonata in a State of Jazz"; Chopin's "Barcarolle" op. 60 and "Ballade" op. 47; Hamelin's Etudes, Nos. 7 and 8; and Godowsky's "Metamorphoses on J. Strauss' 'Wine, Women and Song.'"

Iraq: What now?

A.D. White Professor-at-Large Lakhdar Brahimi, former United Nations undersecretary general, will participate in a debate on "Out of Iraq? Options for the New U.S. President" Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m. in Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall. Also participating: Ra'id Juhi Hamadi Al-Sa'edi, former judge for the Iraq High Tribunal; Michael O'Hanlon of the Brookings Institution; and Juan Cole of the University of Michigan.

Saluting veterans

The university observes Veterans Day, Nov. 11, with an 11 a.m. event at the West Campus World War I War Memorial across West Avenue from Libe Slope. Retired U.S. Navy Capt. James Nault, a first-year Cornell law student, will discuss the past and present service of veterans from the Cornell community. A luncheon follows in the Memorial Room of Willard Straight Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. To attend the luncheon RSVP to Maria Wolff, mw284@cornell.edu or 255-3224 or Brian Page, bp79@cornell.edu or 255-6551.

Mozart, as he intended

Junior Dorian Bandy '10 stages a historically accurate "Don Giovanni" in Risley Hall Nov. 14, 15 and 16. The production is serving as a laboratory for exploring 18th-century acting practices, makeup, gestures and stances used to convey emotion. Professionals from the Dutch National Opera Company, the Esterházy Ensemble and London's Amphion Consort, among others, will participate in this bold theatrical experiment. Admission is free, but tickets are required and are available through the music department.