Brooklyn, N.Y. - Award-winning Haitian author Edwidge Danticat leads the start of the year's cultural events at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus in downtown Brooklyn. Events are free and open to the public, except where otherwise noted.

READINGS

Monday, February 10 - Edwidge Danticat, one of the most distinguished young writers in America today, will take the floor at noon in the Campus's Library Learning Center (LLC), Room 124. Born in Haiti, Danticat is the author of the novel, "Breath, Eyes, Memory," the short-story collection, "Krik? Krak!"(a 1995 National Book Award finalist), and her latest nonfiction book, "After the Dance," about carnival in Haiti. She has received the 1995 Pushcart Short Story Prize and fiction awards from Essence, Seventeen and Caribbean Writer magazines.

Tuesday, February 25 - Puerto Rican poet Willie Perdomo will read from his work at 7:30 p.m. at the Campus's East New York extension site (at I.S. 292, 303 Vermont Avenue). He wrote the poetry collection, "Where a Nickel Costs a Dime," and the children's book, "Visiting Langston." For more information, call Louis Parascandola at (718) 488-1109.

EXHIBITIONS

January 21 to February 28 - "Archeology of the Black Sun" by sculptor Veronica Ryan, in the Campus's Salena Gallery, will feature an installation of found and created objects that unearths aspects of Ryan's own life. Born on the West Indian island of Montserrat, Ryan studied art in England at the Bath Academy, London's Slade School and London University. Her work has been included in collections such as the Tate Gallery, the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Mellon Bank.

Concurrently, an exhibition titled "Trio" will occur at the Resnick Gallery and feature paintings by Long Island University faculty and staff - art professor Alaiyo Bradshaw, dance professor Noel Hall and Eric Jean of the Campus's custodial staff. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday/Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (718) 488-1198.

MUSIC

Tuesday, February 25 - Renowned saxophonist Bob Mintzer will conduct a workshop at 4 p.m. in the Humanities Building Conference Hall, as part of the Music Department's Jazz Clinic and Concert Series. A 2002 Grammy winner, he has played with notables such as Buddy Rich, Tito Puente and Bobby McFerrin. For more information, call Peter Yellin at (718) 488-1051.

DANCE

Wednesday, February 12 - Forces of Nature Dance Theatre Company, an acclaimed ensemble that blends modern dance, West African dance, music and martial arts, will perform at noon in the Campus's Triangle Theater, as part of the "Afternoons at LIU" series of concerts. The company was founded in 1981 by artistic director Abdel R. Salaam, who is the recipient of many honors, including fellowships from the NEA and the New York State Council on the Arts, and awards from the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the National Council of Art & Culture. For more information, call Noel Hall at (718) 488-1051.

FILM

Thursday, February 6 - The Brooklyn Young Filmmakers Film Salon Series will take place in the Campus's Spike Lee Screening Room, LLC 122, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A forum for social and film issues, the series will feature three short films by teen, college and independent film makers, around February's theme of "Cultural Ignorance: Not Just Black and White;" and a talk by Brian Kates, editor of the HBO's "The Laramie Project." The group supports intergenerational community building and economic development in low-income and ethnic communities through filmmaking. Suggested donation, $5; free for LIU students. For more information, call Rodney K. Hurley at (718) 488-1052.

EDUCATION

Wednesday, February 12 - Conference on teaching about war and peace will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Luntey Commons. Panelists include City Councilmember Charles Barron and Hector Calderon, cofounder of El Puente Academy for Peace and Social Justice. Cosponsored by LIU's Progressive Network; contact Charlotte Marchant at cmarchant@liu.edu

Thursday, February 27 - Education expert Marilyn Cochran-Smith will speak on "Teaching for Social Justice" at 6:15 p.m. in the Health Sciences Building, Room 107, as part of the Center for Urban Educators' Speaker Series. She is a professor of education at Boston College and editor of The Journal of Teacher Education. For information, call Katrinka Moore at (718) 488-1378.

THEATRE

February 10, 11 and 14, 7 p.m.; February 12, 15 and 16, 2 p.m. - The Department of Communications Studies, Performance Studies and Theatre presents "The Laramie Project," a play by Moises Kaufman about the anti-gay murder of a college student, at the Campus's Melvin and Barbara Pasternack Theatre, Humanities Building, Room 608. Directed by student Denise Cirincione. Tickets are $10; with student ID, $8. For reservations, call (718) 488-1089.