Meet McGill’s music man
Patrick Vien may not be a household name, but chances are he’s lurking in your iPod in one form or another. The Chairman and CEO of Warner Music International, Vien (BA ’89) currently oversees Warner Music Group’s operations in more than 50 countries. On Oct. 2, Vien (former President of NBC Universal’s Global Networks Division) will kick off the Faculty of Arts Speaker Series in which successful McGill alumni talk about their careers.
Patrick Viens; Oct. 2; 11:30 a.m.—1 p.m. (lunch will be served). McGill Faculty Club; 3450 McTavish St. Admission free. Information: Norma Procyshyn (514) 398-1894.
Holy Skinner box, Batman! Mini-Psych hits third year
Hold onto your ids and super-egos, kids, Mini-Psych is gearing up for another action-packed season. Hosted by the Douglas Mental Health University Institute, the 2008 edition of Mini-Psych boasts a revamped lineup geared toward educating the public on mental health issues of current interest. Every Wednesday, beginning on Oct. 29, experts will discuss everything from the history and stigmatization of mental illness to the pros and cons of medication as treatment and what the future holds for psychiatry and neuroscience. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today.
Mini-Psych; every Wednesday from Oct. 29 to Nov. 26; 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. Douglas Hall; Douglas Mental Health University Institute; 6875 Lasalle Blvd; Verdun. Cost: $45 for seniors and students, $65 for general public. Information: mini.psych@douglas.mcgill.ca or http://www.douglas.qc.ca/mini-psych/. NOTE: the registration deadline is Oct. 10.
Redpath roundup
The Redpath Museum is once again offering a full slate of activities designed to edify and entertain the public. Here’s what is on tap:
How did that get here?
Driven by international trade, invasive species are spreading rapidly across the planet. In the semester’s first installment of the wildly successful Freaky Fridays series, McGill biology professor Anthony Ricciardi will explain the ecological consequences of the phenomenon he calls “global swarming.” The lecture will be followed by the 2004 sci-fi horror flick Snakehead Terror in which mutant fish jacked up on human growth hormones go on a rampage.
Invasive Species and Global Change; Sept. 26; 4 p.m. Auditorium, Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke St. W. Free; seating is limited. Info: 514-398-4086, ext. 4094.
Water woes
While water is plentiful here in Canada, one person in four worldwide doesn’t have access to clean drinking water. While many governments lack either the resources or the will to provide this essential commodity to their citizens, some powerful companies have attempted to privatize what many consider a public trust. As part of its Sunday Documentary Film series, the Redpath will screen Dead in the Water, a 2006 documentary looking at the global water crisis.
Dead in the Water; Sept 28; 4 p.m. Auditorium, Redpath Museum, 859 Sherbrooke St. West. Free with contribution to museum.
Stones and beer bike tour
Fossils AND beer? Could it get any better? Led by the Redpath’s indefatigable Ingrid Birker, this exciting bicycle tour takes in local history, architecture, secret spots and building stones. The tour starts with ancient fossils at the Redpath Museum, travels along Sherbrooke St. to the Sulpician’s reflecting pool at the Grand Seminaire, heads up the old Indian trail on Côte Ste. Antoine road to Leonard Cohen’s boyhood home, glides downhill through the Glen to McAuslan Brewery for a guided tasting of five different micro-brews, and then finishes with the ghosts of Griffintown.
Sept. 28; from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.. Price: $20 or $10 for students. Includes the booklet What Building Stones Tell and beer tasting at the McAuslan Brewery with fresh market bread, fruit and cheese. Registration: Reserve in advance by calling Ingrid at 514-398-4086, ext. 4094# or emailing ingrid.birker@mcgill.ca. The Tour is limited to 20 participants.