The best part of old films is the countdown

As your yearnings for summer are quashed by a brick wall of constant work for the next few weeks, step aside from it all for a few hours by taking advantage of the cultural opportunities of Columbia and the city. Ambrosial Arts Editor Kyra Bloom has put together the following assuredly kick-ass events. Submit an event to events@bwog.com.

Thursday

• The Barnard/Columbia Senior Thesis Festival begins this weekend, with three plays directed by Rebecca Clark, Christina McCarver, and Kyle Radler, respectively.  You can pick one or stay through all three–the times are different for each, so check them out on the Facebook page. Tickets are free, so reserve them at the TIC and head over to the Minor Latham Playhouse this weekend.

Friday

• The Barnard-Columbia Chorus performs Verdi’s Requiem this Friday, 8 pm, at Union Theological.  The four soloists are talented and seasoned singers, so go support them for a measly $3 with CUID.
• The Columbia Review and Postcrypt are hosting a literary open mic at the Postcrypt Coffeehouse.  Original works of fiction and poetry will be shared, so take a study break at 8:30 pm and go enjoy the creations of your talented classmates.
• The Jester presents their “Varsity Show” at 9 pm in the Lerner Blackbox.  Fruit Paunch, Control Top, and CHOWDAH are all performing, with further guests to be announced later this week.  Reserve a free ticket at the tic for an entertaining night.

Saturday

• The Ninth Annual Columbia University National Undergraduate Film Festival (CUNUFF) is this Saturday, and five short films from an international pool will be played.  Watch the films, participate in a Q & A with the student filmmakers, and vote for Audience Choice. Tickets are $3 with CUID at the TIC–and refreshments will be provided.

Sunday

• WBAR-B-Q is back, starting at 12 pm and going til 8 on Lehman Lawn.  It’s free, open to everyone, and there will be food.  To view the complete set list, check out their Facebook page and give the bands a listen. 

Ongoing

• The Wallach Art Gallery is showing a exhibit based on Vladimir Nabokov’s autobiography, Speak, Memory.  Curated by two grad students in the MODA program, the two-part exhibition offers an exploration of the subject of memory in art that covers the past 45 years.  There will be an opening reception next week, on April 30th, followed by a screening of Irv Broughton’s 1974 documentary entitled It Wasn’t a Dream, It Was a Flood.  Check out the gallery and other details here, and remember that all events are free!

What we think is included in film festivals via Shutterstock