Here are a selection of brief news items pertaining to arts, entertainment, culture and other fun things to do in your spare time:

UW-L Choral Union to perform Nov. 23

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Choral Union, will present the “Gloria" by Francis Poulenc and the ninth of the “Chandos Anthems" by Handel.

The concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse, 1509 King St.

Each of the “Chandos Anthems" is a medium length cantata for choir, solo voices and small orchestra. Number 9 is “O Praise the Lord with one Consent." Soloists are alto Jane Powell, tenor Jason Bernhagen, baritone Hans Laping and soprano Sarah Severson.

One critic describes Poulenc’s “Gloria" as a “vast and joyous dance, a swirl of light and color before the throne of heaven, as the angels announce the birth." Vocal soloists for the work include sopranos Nancy Matchett, Andrea Van Gelder and Marilyn Lee.

General admission is $5 for students and $10 for others. Tickets may be purchased in advance from Choral Union members.

Youth orchestras to perform at OHS

The La Crosse Area Youth Symphony Orchestras will give their fall concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at Onalaska High School.

The Philharmonic Orchestra, an intermediate string orchestra, is conducted by Linda Lebakken, who teaches music in the Onalaska School District.

The Youth Symphony Orchestra, an advanced full orchestra, is conducted by Randall Mastin, who teaches music in the Viroqua School District.

Some of the music to be performed include “Antique Dances and Airs" by Respighi, “Entrance of the Queen of Sheba" by Handel, “Night on Bald Mountain" by Mussorgsky and “The William Tell Overture" by Rossini.

Tickets are $8, $4 for seniors and students, and will be available at the door. Children 5 and younger get in free.

Seniors’ works featured in UW-L gallery

Seniors graduating from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in December will show their artwork in the University Art Gallery before they pick up their diplomas.

The semi-annual senior exhibition will feature a variety of artwork Nov. 21-Dec. 10 in the University Art Gallery on the first floor of the Center for the Arts. The exhibit opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21, in the gallery. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public.

Among the artists exhibiting are Carrie Crase, Libby Hansen, Aala Daous, Stacy Johnson, Matt Duckett, Kylie Parry, Lanore Hahn, Megan Rhodes and Nancy Maring.

During the exhibit, the adjacent Study Gallery will feature “Art 160, Books.”

Regular gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and during events in Toland Theatre. The gallery will be closed Nov. 27-30 for the Thanksgiving holiday.

UW-L to stage Shakespeare comedy

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse will present William Shakespeare’s magical romantic comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” on Dec. 5-6 and 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee performances are Dec. 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.

All performances will be in the Toland Theatre, Center for the Arts on the corner of 16th and Vine streets.

Shakespeare’s comedy features two pairs of star-crossed lovers, a feuding pair of supernatural sprites and a love potion gone awry all coming together in an enchanted moonlit forest.

The theatrical vision of director Walter Elder, in combination with the surreal scenic design by senior theater major Tim Barbiaux, creates a charming combination of classic and contemporary theater.

Tickets go on sale Monday, Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. The box office is located in the lobby of the Center for the Arts. Tickets are $12, $10 for non-UWL students, senior citizens and children, and $4 for UW-L students with a valid student ID.

For reservations, call the box office at 785-8522.

LSO concert to bid farewell to Alvarez

The La Crosse Symphony Orchestra will say “bienvenido” to Maestro Eduardo Alvarez from Acapulco, Mexico. The LSO will present Alvarez along with its own principal flute player, Margaret Rowland, in a dynamic concert that introduces music with the fire and romance of Mexico.

The “Friends from Near and Far” concert will take place on Nov. 14-15 at 7:30 p.m., with a concert preview taking place at 6:45 p.m. in the Viterbo Fine Arts Center Recital Hall. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra office at 783-2121 or by going to the LSO Web site at www.lacrossesymphony.org.

Hunting and kids is ethics talk topic

Award-winning film producer and author Randall Eaton, Ph.D., will present “Is Hunting Good for Kids?” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, in Viterbo University’s Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

The event is free and open to the public and is part of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership’s Fall Lecture Series. It is co-sponsored by the La Crosse County Conservation Alliance.

Eaton has held faculty positions in zoology, psychology, and humanities at the University of Washington, the University of Georgia, and Florida Atlantic University. He is the winner of two national book awards as well as numerous writing and film awards.

For more information on the Reinhart Institute or any of its events, log onto www.viterbo.edu/ethics.

Norskedalen plans Christmas cards class

Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center near Coon Valley will host a class focusing on making a set of Christmas cards from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 22.

Participants will design a set of 12 cards, each one being one of the 12 days of Christmas, starting with a partridge in a pear tree. Participants will stamp their own 12 cards and learn to add embellishments and coloring techniques. Students will leave with a set of 12 cards and a cute poem, plus ideas on how to bestow 12 days of Christmas wishes on someone special.

Tuition is $20 per person, which includes all supplies. Call Norskedalen at (608) 452-3424 to register.

UW-L prof to lead spring Irish hiking tour

The history, archaeology and nature of Ireland are among the highlights of an eight-day walking tour next spring. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Professor Emeritus Jim Gallagher leads a hiking tour in the south coast of Ireland from June 10-18.

The tour will feature hikes along coastal cliffs, offshore islands and to shorebird nesting sanctuaries. Highlights of the tour include the Clare Island, the rugged Sheep’s Head Peninsula and the mountains of Gougane Bara. The area where the group will be heading is scenic, rugged and great for hiking and bird watching, said Gallagher, who has led tours to Ireland since 1996.

Gallagher will give two free public programs on “Hiking in Ireland.” Presentations are set for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24, in the auditorium of the La Crosse Main Branch Public Library, 800 Main St., and at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 25, in the meeting room of the North Community Library, 1552 Kane St. Gallagher will show slides of last year’s trip and talk about the upcoming 2009 trip.

For a detailed tour itinerary and registration information, log onto www.uwlax.edu/conted/tours/, or call the UW-L Office of Continuing Education and Extension at 785-6506.

Murphy Library plans book sale Nov. 18-19

The UW-La Crosse Murphy Library holds its annual fall book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 18 and 19, in room 121 of the library.

The sale features lots of books at great prices: 50 cents for paperbacks; $1 for hardcovers; and a collector’s corner of specially priced books. The last two hours of the sale Wednesday features a special sale: $4 for a bagful of books.

Proceeds from the sale benefit the library.

Nine Days to perform at UW-La Crosse

Indie/rock quintet Nine Days will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, in UW-La Crosse’s Valhalla, Cartwright Center-Gunning Addition.

The band is well known for its 2000 hit song, “Absolutely (Story of a Girl).” Although the group split, the band reunited in 2006 and went back to recording. “Slow Motion Life (Part 1)“ was released in 2007; “Slow Motion Life (Part 2)“ was released in 2008. The band has appeared on several retrospective albums and has had success on Internet charts.

Tickets are $5 for UW-L students, $10 for others. For tickets or more information, call 785-8898 or visit www.uwlax.edu/cab.

Cab Calloway Orchestra to play at Viterbo

The Cab Calloway Orchestra, directed by Cab’s grandson C. Calloway Brooks, will perform on the Viterbo University Main Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22.

The Cab Calloway Orchestra delivers both the authentic sound of a hot jazz orchestra and a snazzy stage style to bring out a jump, blues, and boogie experience.

This performance is part of Viterbo’s Bright Star Season and is sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio and La Crosse Graphics Inc. Tickets are $27 for upper balcony seating. For more information, contact the Viterbo box office at 796-3100 or www.viterbo.edu/finearts.aspx.

UW-L theater events feature student work

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Department of Theatre Arts will showcase the talents of theater students in a variety of upcoming productions.

In November and early December, UW-L will present a staged reading of a student’s original script, an acting recital, an illusionist show and a night of scenes. All performances are free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but seating is limited and is on a first-come basis for each event.

John Staats is Robert Ruse, an illusionist performer who unlocks the mind and the imagination. “Might of Thought” features mind reading and mind control feats that are sure to leave the audience questioning the possibility of psychic ability and the supernatural. Mentalist Robert Ruse performs in the Frederick Theatre at 6 p.m. Nov. 14.

UW-La Crosse directing students will present their semester scene projects over the course of three performances in early December. Directing scenes will take place Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.; and Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m. The student directed and performed scenes will cover a variety of genres and motifs and scene selection will vary from performance to performance. All performances will be held in the Frederick Theatre.

Women sought for ‘just for fun’ volleyball

Holmen area women age 30 and older are sought for a free “just for fun” women’s recreational volleyball program.

Games will be played from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays when school is in session at Viking Elementary, 500 E. Wall St. in Holmen.

For more information, call Sally at 788-3047.