KU theater presents acclaimed poet’s play

English Alternative Theatre will present a staged reading of a play by poet Rita Dove in conjunction with her Lawrence visit this week, when she will round out the Hall Center’s Humanities Lecture Series.

“The Darker Face of the Earth,” a verse play by Dove that retells the story of Oedipus, is set on a plantation in antebellum South Carolina. EAT will perform the work at 8 p.m. today at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H.

Music

Twosome hopes to reel in Lied Center audience

An acoustic pair known for its blending of musicianship and humor will return to the Lied Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday, bringing with it quirky songs such as “Alien in My Nose,” “Why I Pack My Lunch” and “My Hair Had a Party Last Night.”

The musical duo of Ezra Idlet (guitar) and Keith Grimwood (bass), better known as Trout Fishing in America, have released 12 CDs, including “Merry Fishes To All,” “It’s A Puzzle” and “inFINity.”

The duo will participate in a pre-performance discussion at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Oldfather Warm-Up/Dance Studio.

Tickets are $11.50-$28 and can be purchased by calling 864-2787.

Kansas University

Dole Institute launches Political Humor Month

Ready for a good laugh at the expense of politicians who have been seeking your vote?

The Dole Institute of Politics will kick off its Political Humor Month presentations at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the institute on Kansas University’s west campus. The first program is “An Insider’s Look at Political Cartoons” and features cartoonists Lee Judge, of the Kansas City Star; Bill DeOre, of the Dallas Morning News; and Zach Stinson, of the University Daily Kansan. The event is free and open to the public.

Basketball

KU’s exhibition season ends with Washburn

Kansas University’s men’s basketball team concludes its exhibition season with a contest against Washburn at 7 p.m. Sunday at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks open the regular season against Vermont at 7 p.m. Nov. 19 at home.

Veterans Day

Speech, vigils planned

A speech by a former Vietnam prisoner of war and a pair of 24-hour vigils will mark Veterans Day at Kansas University.

The events start at 4 p.m. Thursday with a joint retreat ceremony at the flagpole in front of Strong Hall, organized by ROTC units on campus.

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Bridger, who was a POW from 1967 to 1973, will speak at 4:30 p.m. in Woodruff Auditorium. The speech is free and open to the public.

It will be followed by 24-hour vigils by ROTC cadets and midshipmen at KU’s Vietnam War Memorial and the Campanile.