Campus Picks — March 26, 2009

Dance: A Thousand and One Nights

This weekend, Princeton's Middle Eastern dance troupe, Raks Odalisque, presents its ninth annual show, titled "A Thousand and One Nights." Whether the troupe will perform that many routines is questionable, but viewers have also been promised a fusion of tribal and hip-hop style pieces, as well as swords, veils and zills! I mean, I have no idea what a zill is, but I can't wait to find out.

Frist Performance Theatre

March 26 through March 28, 8 p.m.

Film: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Something's different about UFO this weekend: It's free! So for all you stingy pennysavers out there, maybe this is the weekend to hit up the movie theater. The film this week is "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist," which I could describe as a clever and hilarious coming-of-age comedy. I won't though, because really it's a Michael Cera vehicle, and that should say it all. I saw the movie on a plane once -- well, on the screen of the person sitting next to me. It looked a little bit like "Superbad." You know: geeky boys, hot girls and extreme awkwardness.

Frist Performance Theatre and Frist 301

March 26 through March 28, 11:15 p.m.

Free tickets available at the Frist Ticket Office

Dance: Pleiades

Seven seniors in the University dance program present their collaborative thesis performance this Friday. It's called "Pleiades," like the star cluster in the Taurus constellation. That's cool. What's also cool is the musical accompaniment, which will be performed live by the highly acclaimed Brentano String Quartet. The Times of London described the quartet's performances as "magnificent" and "wonderful," and it has played at venues ranging from New York's Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. So if seven friends aren't enough of a draw, then four of the most accomplished classical musicians in the world hopefully should be.

Berlind Theatre

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March 27, 8 p.m.

Tickets available through University Ticketing and the Berlind Box Office

Music: Femme Fatale

The Wildcats hit up the Richardson Auditorium stage tomorrow for what is rather saucily billed as the "Femme Fatale" show. Sounds pretty exciting. Even more exciting is the extraordinarily heterosexual playlist that's been leaked so far: With camp classics like Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" and Queen's "Under Pressure" confirmed on the set list, one can only hope for "I'm Coming Out" and maybe a smattering of George Michael as well. Also there to join in the fun will be Old Nassoul and the Princeton Highsteppers -- which means lots of Marvin Gaye and lots of handclapping. Irresistible.

Richardson Auditorium

March 27, 8 p.m.

Student Events Eligible Tiger Tickets accepted

Theater: Harvey

If you thought the Wilson BlackBox was only a place to get crunk and dance to Britney Spears, think again: It's also a venue for plays about six-foot-tall invisible rabbits. I know, I thought Donnie Darko's giant-bunny-rabbit shtick was original too, but I guess we were all wrong. "Harvey" was famously adapted to the silver screen in 1950, with Princeton's very own Jimmy Stewart '32 as the slightly kooky protagonist whose best friend is a big bunny named "Pooka." Now we can't promise Jimmy Stewart on the Blackbox stage this weekend, but if that isn't a killer premise, I don't know what is.

Wilson BlackBox

March 26, 8 p.m.

OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE

Morrissey

Former Smiths front man and indie rock icon Morrissey will be playing in New York this weekend. Tickets are on the pricey side, but really anything's worth it for this man: Recently crowned one of the "most influential artists ever" by the British music magazine NME and renowned for his energetic live shows, Morrissey is one of the few true musical legends still in top form today. If you're still not convinced this is a concert you need to go to, Street gave his latest album, "Years of Refusal," a glowing review a few weeks ago. Morrissey is supported by British indie rock band The Courteneers, who unsurprisingly -- and rather sycophantically -- list the Smiths as their main influence on their myspace.com page. If you don't get a chance to catch Morrissey this weekend, he's touring the United States for the next month -- so no excuses.

Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, New York

March 26, 8 p.m.

The Allman Brothers Band

Undoubtedly one of the greatest Southern rock bands of all time, the Allman Brothers Band is also regarded as one of the greatest live bands ever. I know that's a lot of compliments in one sentence, but its 1971 concert album "At Fillimore East" is one of those few records that all critics agree is a masterpiece. So, even though the Allmans have broken 60, they're truly one of those groups you'll tell your grandchildren about seeing. The set list should be packed with classics, from "Whipping Post" to "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed."

Beacon Theatre, New York

March 26 through March 28, 8 p.m.

Raphael to Renoir: Drawings from the Collection of Jean Bonna

The creme de la creme of a half-millennium of art will be on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through late April, in a selection of drawings from a well-known Swiss collection. Almost every significant European artist is represented: Goya, Rembrandt, Raphael, Canaletto, Cezanne, Renoir, van Gogh and Degas are just a few of the big names on the list. The exhibit should provide a new and interesting view into the drawings and sketches of some of art's most renowned and influential painters. And once you're done looking at their pencil work, you're just a few steps away from many of these painters' more well-known works, housed in the Met's extensive permanent collection.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Through April 26