Happening in March

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer. But if you haven't noticed nature's cues that spring is near, maybe these events will help you welcome the new season.

March brings signature springtime gatherings that you won't want to miss, like the Tucson Festival of Books, as well as lectures, performances and events meant just for employees. If the events featured below aren't your thing, be sure to check out the Master Calendar for plenty of other options.

Performance – Yamato | March 4

Since 1993, this troupe of percussionists from Japan's Nara prefecture has performed more than 2,500 shows in 51 countries and regions. The group still tours for six to 10 months each year, performing original percussion compositions intended to leave attendees with "a new vitality and passion for life."

The concert at Centennial Hall is offered by UA Presents, and is appropriate for all ages. Tickets for faculty and staff start at $20, and children's tickets start at $15.

Staff Appreciation Event | March 6

The Classified Staff Council wishes to show its appreciation for the UA's classified staff. And what better way than with food, massages and other treats?

Attendees at the "red carpet event" will receive a welcome gift and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of 10 prizes. Free massages will be available, along with an assortment of sweet and savory treats.

The event takes place in the Student Union Memorial Center's Union Gallery in the afternoon.

Doc Talks Lecture Series | March 6, 13, 20 and 27

This series of public evening lectures will address a variety of health topics with presentations by doctors and other experts from Banner – University Medicine and the UA College of Medicine – Tucson.

On March 6, Dr. Nancy Sweitzer, director of the UA Sarver Heart Center, will explore how to reduce the risk for heart disease.

Dr. Clara Curiel-Lewandrowski, a dermatologist and director of the Multidisciplinary Cutaneous Oncology Program and Pigmented Lesion Clinic at the UA Skin Cancer Institute, will lead a lecture on March 13 about what Arizonans should know about skin cancer, including how it's diagnosed and the latest treatment advances.

Sports medicine physicians Dr. Carl Dain Allred from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Dr. Holly Beach from the Department of Family and Community Medicine will lead a lecture on concussions. The pair will discuss the symptoms, latest treatments and long-term effects on March 20.

Dr. Andreas Theodorou, a principal investigator in the "All of Us" precision medicine research program, will close the series on March 27 with a talk titled "One of a Kind: How Medicine Can Be Tailored for You."

2018 Supplier Showcase | March 7

Procurement and Contracting Services will host its annual supplier showcase, bringing more than 90 companies to the Student Union Memorial Center's Grand Ballroom. The event highlights services and provides information to departments and units about how they can save money on current and future purchases.

The showcase will include giveaways, and faculty and staff are encouraged to bring their business cards to share.

Tucson Festival of Books | March 10-11

Tucson's annual celebration of literature will return to the UA Mall for its 10th year. This year's festival will bring dozens of authors, educators and storytellers for talks, panel discussions and workshops.

The UA is among the festival's sponsors and several University units will organize some of the weekend's events. UA BookStores will help kick off the festival on Saturday morning with a parade of storybook characters, including Pete the Cat and Clifford the Big Red Dog. The College of Science and the BIO5 Institute will present Science City throughout the weekend, giving attendees of all ages an opportunity to learn about science while engaging their minds with hands-on activities, talks, book signings and more.

Boyce Thompson Arboretum Spring Plant Sale | March 10-25

Looking to add new plants to your garden this spring? The UA's Boyce Thompson Arboretum will hold its spring plant sale and fundraiser for two weeks. The sale is open to the public, and anyone with a CatCard can access the arboretum grounds for free for the duration of the sale.

As you peruse the sale's inventory of trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers, cacti and succulents, volunteers from Pinal County's Superstition Mountain Master Gardeners program will be available to answer your questions.

Wondering if the arboretum has a certain plant in stock? Contact the BTA gift shop between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily at 520-689-2723.

Arizona Repertory Theatre Presents 'The Merchant of Venice' | Throughout March

Students in the School of Theatre, Film and Television will perform Shakespeare's timeless tale of love, mercy and justice, "The Merchant of Venice."

The play follows Antonio, the titular character, who agrees to help his friend Bassanio secure a loan to woo Portia, a wealthy Venetian heiress. Antonio finds Shylock, a moneylender, who agrees to give the loan on the condition that if it isn't repaid in three months, he will take a pound of flesh from Antonio.

Arizona Repertory Theatre describes the play as "a journey into the best and worst of human nature," with Portia being one of Shakespeare's strongest heroines and Shylock, the antagonist, a "crowning achievement in dramatic literature."

Click here to see showtimes.

Strategic Planning Meetups | Throughout March

Ten meetups will be held during the month to delve into specific areas related to the UA's strategic planning process.

With topics ranging from "Agile Wildcats" to "H2Onward," the meetups will invite members of the campus community to weigh in on big questions affecting the University's future, such as diversity and inclusivity, health disparities, and sustainability.

Nine of the meetups will take place in Tucson – eight on the main campus and one at UA Health Sciences – and one will be held on the Phoenix campus. The meetups include lunch, and registration is required.

Visit strategicplan.arizona.edu for more information.

Lecture – 'Making Math Visible' | March 27

Mathematician and sculptor George Hart will deliver the Department of Mathematics' 2018 Bartlett Memorial Lecture. The lecture aims to bring the work of renowned mathematicians to the general public.

Hart, a research professor at Stony Brook University in New York, is known for his math-based sculptures. He is also co-founder and used to be chief of content at the National Museum of Mathematics in New York City.

In his talk, Hart will discuss how society can create a wider appreciation for math through public artwork. The talk will be illustrated with photos of Hart's geometrics sculptures and will include hands-on mathematical construction activities.

Schoolteachers and students in middle school and high school are encouraged to attend.