Tuesday, April 1

Luminous Brass Trio: Music for Trumpet, Horn and Piano

Whitley Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. | Elon University Lyceum Series

An evening of chamber music featuring trumpet, horn and piano with a blend of rich tones and vibrant melodies as the ensemble presents a diverse repertoire, from classical to contemporary works by female composers. Each piece highlights the unique qualities of these instruments, creating an engaging experience for music lovers of all ages.

Wednesday, April 2 

Eid-al-Fitr

McBride Gathering Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion, 5:30 p.m. | Eid al-Fitr holiday is Monday, March 30

After fasting for the month of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Eid-al-Fitr, “The Holiday of Breaking the Fast” with food, festivities and fellowship. There will be fun trivia, a henna station and lots of opportunities to learn and celebrate as a community. Sponsored by Muslim Life and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Thursday, April 3

The James P. Elder Lecture with Frederick M. Lawrence

Whitley Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

Frederick M. Lawrence is the 10th Secretary and CEO of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s first and most prestigious honor society. An accomplished scholar, teacher and attorney, Lawrence is one of the nation’s leading experts on civil rights, free expression, bias crimes and higher education law. He is the author of “Punishing Hate: Bias Crimes Under American Law,” which examines bias-motivated violence and how such violence is adjudicated in the United States. Lawrence is a Distinguished Lecturer at the Georgetown law Schoo, and visiting professor and senior research scholar at Yale Law School. Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available March 13 at ElonTickets.com.

Thursday-Saturday, April 3-5

Department of Performing Arts presents “The Grapes of Wrath”

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts | Apr. 3-4 at 7:30 p.m.; April 5 at 2 p.m.

Based on the novel by John Steinbeck | Adapted by Frank Galati | Directed by Julian Stetkevych

When the Joad family heads West in search of a new life, they’re chasing more than just the American Dream. With stark simplicity and relentless honesty, this adaptation explores the fight for dignity, survival and the courage to keep going. Through every challenge, act of kindness and moment of hope, the Joads’ journey is a story for today – a reminder that even in tough times, the human spirit can’t be broken. Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available beginning March 13 at ElonTickets.com.

Tuesday, April 8

Tectonic Plates: Alamance County’s Science Café: The mathematics behind democracies with Todd Lee, Elon University Professor of Mathematics

Burlington Beer Works, 103 E. Front Street, Burlington, 7 p.m.

Each month on 2nd Tuesdays, a different scientist will present an engaging topic at Burlington Beer Works in downtown Burlington, North Carolina. Expect a lively event in a relaxed atmosphere without all the technical jargon. In April, Tectonic Plates welcomes Todd Lee, Elon University Professor of Mathematics. The series runs from September through May, and the presentations are free and open to the public.

Friday April 11

Holi Celebration

Speaker’s Corner, 4 p.m. | Rain Date: Friday, April 25 | Holiday: Friday, March 14

A Hindu spring festival of color and sharing love, Holi marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The Elon community gathers at Speaker’s Corner to throw colored powder to celebrate the earth returning to color and life, and good triumphing over evil. If you plan to throw color, please wear old clothing that can get dirtied by paint. There will also be crafts, food, and other ways to celebrate the holiday. Sponsored by The Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Friday, April 11

Elon University Jazz Ensembles Spring Concert

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. | Directed by Alex Heitlinger

Elon’s Jazz Studies program presents an exciting selection of traditional and contemporary jazz music performed by the Elon University Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combos. Sponsored by the Department of Music

Saturday, April 12

Passover Seder

Elon Community Church, 5:30 p.m.

Please join the Elon Hillel community for our annual Passover Seder, a musical and interactive community journey from slavery to freedom. Elon Hillel’s Passover seder is open to the entire community. Please join us to celebrate renewal, springtime, and freedom. Tickets will be available through Elon Hillel’s website: www.elon.edu/Hillel. Sponsored by Hillel, Jewish Life, The Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life

Tuesday, April 15

Elon Music Ambassadors, “Anthems of Social Change”

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. | Directed by Virginia Novine-Whittaker

This eclectic ensemble consists of a select group of talented student instrumentalists and vocalists performing a wide variety of genres from jazz to pop. Sponsored by the Department of Music

Friday, April 18

Good Friday Stations of the Cross

Scott Plaza | Fonville Fountain, 12 p.m.

We invite you to participate in the annual Stations of the Cross on the Christian observance of Good Friday. This walking journey involves prayer and reflection on the passion and death of Jesus Christ. Rain location is in the Sacred Space of the Numen Lumen Pavilion. Sponsored by Catholic Campus Ministry

Friday April 18

Elon Electric Ensemble, “Music of the New Millennium: Hits of the 2000s”

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 417 N. Williamson Ave., 7:30 p.m. | Directed by Todd Coleman

Enjoy music by Maroon 5, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Jonas Brothers, Jimmy Eat World, Plain White T’s, Jason Mraz, OneRepublic and much more! Sponsored by the Department of Music

Sunday, April 20

Easter Mass

Elon Community Church, 5 p.m.

Catholic Campus Ministry will hold the Christian celebration of Easter Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. Sponsored by Catholic Campus Ministry

Tuesday, April 22

Art Lande and Alex Heitlinger, duo jazz recital

Elon Community Church, 217 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon, 7:30 p.m.

Elon’s Jazz Studies presents an evening of fun, adventurous musical explorations. GRAMMY-nominated Art Lande is an internationally known pianist, composer, improviser, drummer and educator who has performed with a long list of the Who’s Who in jazz, including Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Bobby Hutcherson, Steve Swallow, Charlie Haden, Kenny Wheeler, Sheila Jordan, Mark Isham, Paul McCandless, Jan Garbarek and many others. Elon Director of Jazz Studies, Dr. Alex Heitlinger joins Lande on the trombone. The two musicians have known each other and performed together for more than 25 years. Sponsored by the Department of Music

Wednesday, April 23

Bill McKibben, “The Race for a Working Climate: What Now?”

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center, 7 p.m. | Elon University Earth Week Keynote Speaker

We’re at a hinge moment in human history. On the one hand, we face an environmental cataclysm like none before. On the other, the rapid fall in the price of clean energy gives us the chance for truly rapid progress. In this urgent, heartfelt and hopeful talk, New York Times bestselling author Bill McKibben reveals the part each of us must plan in where we need to go and provides realistic approaches to saving our planet, as individuals, and as thoughtful members of a mobilized community.

McKibben was awarded the Right Livelihood Award in 2014, sometimes called the “alternative Nobel” and received the Ghandi Peace Award in 2013. His book “The End of Nature” is regarded as the first book for a general audience about climate change and has been translated into 24 languages. TIME Magazine called McKibben “perhaps the planet’s best green journalist,” and he has lectured and organized on every continent, including Antarctica. He helped found 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and has recently helped found Third Act, to build a progressive organizing movement for people over age 60. McKibben, the author of fifteen books, is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Sponsored by the Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Studies Department, Facilities Management, Food Studies, the Global Neighborhood, the Kernodle Center for Civic Life, Life@Elon, and Peace and Conflict Studies

Thursday, April 24

Yom HaShoah: Ceremony of Remembrance

Sacred Space, Numen Lumen Pavilion, 9:50 a.m.

Join us to mark Yom HaShoah or “Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust and Heroism.” Every year we gather as a community to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to remind us all of the terrible deeds that can be carried out when bigotry, hatred, and indifference are regarded as normal. Elon students, faculty and staff will share quotes and stories to remember the lives of those who died as a result of the racial purity measures in German-controlled Europe during World War II, to honor those who survived, and remind of their experiences during thisdark time. Sponsored by Hillel, Jewish Life, Jewish Studies, The Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life

Thursday, April 24

Yom HaShoah: The Reading of the Names

Steps of the Moseley Center, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

We will gather on the steps of the Moseley Center to read aloud the names of persons who perished in the Holocaust, helping. This annual tradition emphasizes the depth of loss and will be occurring in communities around the world on this day. We encourage members of the Elon community to participate in this collective act of remembrance by signing up online for a 10-minute time slot of reading from books of names of the Shoah victims. Sponsored by Hillel, Jewish Life, Jewish Studies, and The Truitt Center for Religious & Spiritual Life

Thursday, April 24

“Sambadouro”

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m. | Directed by Stephen A. Futrell

Elon University’s a cappella/vocal jazz ensemble, élan, performs a concert of Brasilian jazz by composers such as Jobim, Lins and Mendes. Samba, bossa grooves from classic jazz standards as well as more contemporary selections. With rhythm section and student soloists. Sponsored by the Department of Music

Friday-Saturday, April 25 &26 th

“Instant Laughter”

Yeager Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. both nights | Directed by Fredrick J. Rubeck

Elon’s comic improv troupe, Instant Laughter, takes the stage performing scenes and sketches based on audience suggestions. Admission: $15 at the door. All proceeds benefit Elon’s theatre arts program.

Tuesday, April 29

“A Night at the Opera”

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
Opera Workshop Director, Polly Cornelius | Conductor, Stephen A. Futrell

In a collaborative, grand event, Elon Opera Workshop will perform two, one-act operas with the Elon Orchestra: The Old Maid and the Thief by Gian Carlo Menotti and Down in the Valley by Kurt Weill. The combined choirs of Elon, Chorale & Camerata, will perform a number of classic, popular opera choruses also with Orchestra and Opera Workshop, including a grand finale featuring the closing scene/chorus of Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Sponsored by the Department of Music