For the birds

The 13th annual Great Backyard Bird Count runs Feb. 12-15. Participants count birds in their own backyards, local parks or wildlife refuges for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the event and report their sightings online, where reported counts show up on maps in real time. Information: http://www.birdcount.org, Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology at 800-843-2473, e-mail gbbc@cornell.edu.

Indies and Ithakid movies

In February and March, Cornell Cinema features five of the best 2009 films, according to Indiewire, as well as several children's films as part of the Ithakid Film Fest. All will show in Willard Straight Theatre. Check http://cinema.cornell.edu/ for times and ticket information.

The "5 Masters of World Cinema -- New Work" series features Agnès Varda's "The Beaches of Agnes," Feb. 11, 12 and 16; Jia Zhang-ke's "24 City," Feb. 24 and 26; Frederick Wiseman's "La Danse," Feb. 26-28; Aleksandr Sokurov's "The Sun," March 4-6; and Claire Denis' "35 Shots of Rum," March 3, 5, 6 and 8.

Upcoming children's films include Spike Jonze's "Where the Wild Things Are," Feb. 13; "Earth" (directed by Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield), Feb. 20 and 27; and Wes Anderson's "Fantastic Mr. Fox," March 6.

Lincoln at 200

Cornell's original manuscript of the Gettysburg Address -- one of five known copies in Abraham Lincoln's handwriting -- will be on display Feb. 15, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in the Carl A. Kroch Library, level 2B, Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections.

This display complements the current exhibition, "The Lincoln Presidency: Last Full Measure of Devotion," which celebrates the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and also features an original manuscript of the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution signed by Lincoln and members of Congress.

A facsimile of the Gettysburg Address will replace the original after Feb. 15 and will remain on view through April 16.

Information: http://rmc.library.cornell.edu/lincoln.

Onstage with 'Biloxi Blues'

Seats are still available for Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues," Feb. 17-27, at the Schwartz Center Class of '56 Flexible Theatre.

A Best Play Tony Award winner, "Biloxi Blues" centers on Eugene Jerome, an inexperienced 20-year-old from Brooklyn, who enlists in the Army during World War II and is sent to Biloxi, Miss., for basic training. "Biloxi Blues" is known for its wit, humor and insight into human relationships. This show contains adult content and language.

For show times and ticket information, check http://www.arts.cornell.edu/theatrearts/. Tickets: http://www.schwartztickets.com, 607-254-ARTS, or e-mail theatre@cornell.edu.

Sojourner Truth biography

One of the foremost authorities on African-American history and culture, African-American women and Southern history, Margaret Washington, Cornell professor of history, will present an overview of her definitive biography, "Sojourner Truth's America" (University of Illinois Press, 2009), Feb. 18 at 10:30 a.m., Boyce Thompson Institute Auditorium.

Sojourner Truth (1797-1886) was born into slavery, sold several times and bore five children before fleeing in 1826 with her infant daughter. In 1843, she began traveling the country as a champion of the downtrodden and a spokeswoman for equality by promoting Christianity, abolitionism and women's rights.

Lecture on native artists

A.D. White Professor Ann Markusen will present a free public lecture, "To Do Something Skillfully: Native Artists' Livelihoods and Contributions to Community," Feb. 19 at 12:15 p.m., 100 Caldwell Hall.

Markusen has long supported research in the fields of urban planning, regional science and political economy, and has promoted women in her fields of expertise, including the arts, culture and economic development; regional economics and planning; and industrial and occupational planning. Markusen was a member of the President's Commission on Offsets in International Trade, 2001-02, and holds professorial and director positions at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Information: http://www.aap.cornell.edu/events/.

Soprano at Bailey Hall

Lyric soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, with pianist Serouj Kradjian, opens the 2010 Bailey Concert Series, Feb. 19 at 8 p.m. Bayrakdarian is admired for her stage presence and musicality. Her deeply moving Remembrance Concert Tour (dedicated to victims of genocide) and Met Opera appearances (in such roles as Zerlina, Susanna and Pamina) attest to her dedication and artistry. Reserved seating. Tickets are available online at http://baileytickets.universitytickets.com/, in person or by calling 273-4497.