By Michelle Lee

15,693 lines. 200 translations. 24 books. 12 movies.

Starting 10 p.m. on Sunday, November 20, Classical Entertainment Society and Court Theatre are hosting a 24-hour interactive, staged reading of the Iliad that will last until Monday evening. The Homerathon will feature several high-profile professors from the University of Chicago, including Classics Professors David Wray, Alain Bresson, Clifford Ando, and Sarah Nooter; English Professor Christina Von Nolken; and Philosophy Professor Agnes Callard.

“We’ve invited readers to read in any language or translation they choose,” says Court Theatre’s Resident Dramaturg, Drew Dir. “One of the faculty members, for example, is reading… a translation by eighteenth-century English poet Alexander Pope. We’ve also invited participants to read it in the original ancient Greek, which many here at the University of Chicago are more than prepared to do.”

Students and community members are welcome to the stage to read. Interested readers should contact Ryan Mease at rmease@gmail.com to reserve their spot.

Throughout the event, various activities and movie screenings will also take place in the lobby. Movies to be featured include (but are not limited to): Troy, Helen of Troy, Percy Jackson ad the Olympians, O Brother Where Are Thou, Clash of the Titans, and 300. Guests will be able to try their hand at crafting Greek vases, shields, mini Trojan horses, and clothespin gods. Food and drinks will also be provided throughout the 24 hours.

The reading will take place on the set of Court’s upcoming production, An Iliad, which is set to premiere Saturday, November 19. Directed by Artistic Director Charles Newell, the modern, one-man adaptation of Homer’s classic revisits the voice of the lone poet as he delves into a story of human loss and folly that resonates across three millennia. Timothy Edward Kane stars in the leading role.

Don’t miss this celebration of one of Western culture’s most enduring legacies as all 24 books of Homer’s Iliad are read aloud from start to finish.

By Michelle Lee

Chicago is a city bursting with art, music, and creative spirit. Unfortunately, the wallets of college students can’t always keep up. So what’s an art-starved student to do? For those seeking free art events, musical performances, and more, UChicago offers no shortage of options. Below is a guide to the best free and discounted opportunities on campus.

Concerts

The University of Chicago Presents is one of the most generous programs on campus, bringing internationally esteemed musical performances to students free of charge. Students only have to send an e-mail request to obtain one of the 35 free student tickets, which are sponsored by the UChicago Arts Pass and Sponsor-A-Student programs. The catch? They must also write a short thank-you note to their patron. For those unable to grab a free ticket (or disinclined toward writing), they can still get discounted tickets for five dollars and watch famous groups like the Pacifica Quartet perform.

Students can also catch weekly free concerts at Fulton Hall as part of the Noontime Concert Series. Concerts are every Thursday at 12:15 p.m.

Art Galleries

The Chicago Arts District hosts a monthly “2nd FRIDAYS Gallery Night,” which is a free tour of galleries and artists’ studios around South Halsted and 18th Streets in the Pilsen district. With 30 creative spaces, this art community is an exciting opportunity for students to explore the newest art installations and meet local artists. Complementary food and drinks are also provided.

Theatre

Court Theatre is a professional theatre nestled between Ratner and Pierce on the University of Chicago campus. Featuring classic works and named “the most consistently excellent theater company in America” by The Wall Street Journal, Court is a little-known but widely respected theatre that is readily accessible to students. Students can buy ten-dollar advance tickets, five-dollar rush tickets, or catch Wednesday/Thursday 7:30 performances for free by stopping by the box office window one hour in advance. The theatre also offers Student Nights, where students can get tickets, pizza, and drinks for only ten dollars.

Figure Drawing

For those looking to get their hands dirty with charcoal and paper, Outside the Lines offers figure drawing classes every Tuesday, 6 to 9 p.m., in Cobb 409. Students have access to drawing supplies and live models free of charge, and artists of all levels are welcome to participate.

Museums

For UChicago students, the UCID also functions as the UChicago Arts Pass. This pass gives them free access to the Art Institute of Chicago, Hyde Park Art Center, Museum of Contemporary Art, Smart Museum of Art, Oriental Institute, and the National Museum of Mexican Art.

The Arts Pass also provides various other discounts, such as to the Joffrey Ballet, Blue Man Group, and Lyric Opera. Visit http://arts.uchicago.edu/artspass/orgs.shtml for more information.