Derrida and Cornell

French comic book author Benoît Peeters, who is also known for his recent, monumental work on philosopher Jacques Derrida, will be featured at several events. A French Studies Workshop on "Derrida's Biographies," Feb. 12, 1-6 p.m., at the Guerlac Room, A.D. White House, will include a talk by Peeters, 1-2:30 p.m.; an open forum with Peeters, "Comic Books in French: Tintin and Beyond," will be held in French, Feb. 14 at 4:30 p.m., also in the Guerlac Room. Information.

Darwin Days

The final weekend of Ithaca Darwin Days features several family events.

Cinema's elegant party

Cornell Cinema's seventh annual Elegant Winter Party, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Willard Straight Theatre, will feature hors d'oeuvres and desserts, a cash bar, live music and a 9 p.m. screening of the recently rediscovered silent version of "Chicago," with live piano accompaniment. A Cecil B. DeMille production, the film is based on the 1926 hit Broadway play about the fame- and jazz-loving Roxie Hart, who uses the power of the press to make herself a celebrity while on trial for her lover's murder. Tickets: $45 general ($80 a pair) and $25 student ($40 a pair), available at http://CornellCinemaTickets.com and 104 Willard Straight Hall. Information: 607-255-3522 or http://www.cinema.cornell.edu.

Sweetheart swing dance

The Eighth Annual Big Band Valentine's Sweetheart Swing Dance, featuring the 20-piece Ageless Jazz Band, will be Feb. 12, Memorial Room, Willard Straight Hall, swing lesson 8-9 p.m., dance 9 p.m.-midnight. No partner needed. Admission: $5. Sponsored by the Cornell Rooftop Mayhem Jumpswing Club. Information: http://www.rso.cornell.edu/swing.

Johnson Museum open house

Music, poetry, hot chocolate and art are all part of the Johnson Museum winter open house, Feb. 13, 1-4 p.m. Free and open to the public. Information: http://www.museum.cornell.edu/.

NASA's new telescope

Terzian Lecturer John Mather, former project scientist for NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite, will present two free, public lectures about the James Webb Space Telescope, which, when launched in 2014, will extend the scientific discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope:

Information: http://astro.cornell.edu/events/astro/spring2011/.

Alumni playwright project

Cornell's Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts will present the play "Precious Little" by Madeleine George '96, directed by Myles Kenyon Rowland '11, a theater arts major, Feb. 16-19 and Feb. 24-26. Evening performances will be at 7:30 p.m., Black Box Theatre; one matinee will be held Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. The play centers on an aging linguist who discovers that her baby-to-be may have a genetic abnormality. "Precious Little" is part of the Cornell Playwright's Project, which produces plays of Cornell alumni. The cast includes resident professional teaching associates and Cornell students. Tickets and information: Schwartz Center, 430 College Ave., 12:30-4 p.m. weekdays; call 607-254-ARTS; or online at http://www.schwartztickets.com. Tickets: $10 (students/seniors); $12 (general).

Internet origins

Kenneth M. King, former vice president for Cornell Computer Services, will discuss "The Origin and History of the Internet," describing the primary and under-celebrated roles that Cornell and other universities played in the creation and evolution of networking and the Internet, Feb. 17 at 10:30 a.m., Boyce Thompson Institute Auditorium. The lecture is part of a series held by the Cornell Association for Professors Emeriti. All are welcome.

Nano at noon

Aleksandr Mergold, visiting professor in the department of architecture, will discuss the exhibit "Unpacking the Nano," at Art for Lunch, Feb. 17, noon-1 p.m. The Nano exhibit explores the design and potential impact of the world's most affordable car: India's Tata Nano. Selling for about $2,500 and getting up to 65 miles per gallon, the Nano is financially within reach for 500 million Indians and is expected to have worldwide environmental, economic and cultural impacts. Free and open to the public.

O'Nan reading and book signing

Best-selling author Stewart O'Nan '92, Cornell's Distinguished Visiting Writer, will read from his works, Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m., Hollis E. Cornell Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall. After receiving an M.F.A. in fiction from Cornell, O'Nan authored a dozen novels, including "A Prayer for the Dying," "Last Night at the Lobster," "The Circus Fire" and, with Stephen King, the best-selling "Faithful." His forthcoming novel, "Emily, Alone," will be published in the spring. This event is free and open to the public. A book signing will follow.

Dealing with the deficit

Former director of the Congressional Budget Office and member of the Bipartisan Fiscal Commission that recently proposed a major decrease in federal expenditures and tax increases to reduce the projected federal deficits, Doug Holtz-Eakin will present a talk on his experiences at the commission, Feb. 17, 4:30-5:45 p.m., 280 Martha Van Rensselaer. Holtz-Eakin was also the chief economist for John McCain's presidential campaign in 2008; his talk is part of the series, "Conservatives, Libertarians and Visionaries."

Tony nominee to lecture

Playwright, artist, activist and performer Lisa Kron will present an interactive lecture, "On Trying and Failing," Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. in the Film Forum of the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, 430 College Ave. Kron, who is more focused on the effort and process than the success or failure of endeavors, will explore the gap between who we think we are and how we actually behave. Kron's play "Well" received two Tony nominations, and her one-woman play, "2.5 Minute Ride," received an OBIE and GLAAD Media Award. Free and open. A reception will follow.

Census director visits

Robert M. Groves, director of the U.S. Census Bureau, will present "Measuring America," Feb. 18, 1:30-3 p.m., G10 Biotechnology Building. Groves had been a professor at the University of Michigan and director of its Survey Research Center, as well as research professor at the Joint Program in Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland. Groves has authored or co-authored seven books and scores of scientific articles. A reception will follow in the Biotech Atrium. Free and open.