2021 Aspire to Grow Conference Set for Feb. 18

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is hosting the third annual Aspire to Grow Conference, exploring innovation in food and agriculture, virtually from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18. The symposium will focus on new technologies and developments and the role diversity of thought and experience plays in achieving these. Keynote speakers include Michael Frank, executive vice president and CEO of retail at Nutrien; Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Justin Trabue, alumna and assistant winemaker at Lumen Wines; Patricia Carillo, executive director of ALBA Organics; Surendra Dara, cooperative extension advisor with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources; and Fadzayi Mashiri, Mariposa County director/farm advisor. There are more than 21 million jobs associated with food and agriculture in the U.S. The Aspire to Grow Conference aims to inform and empower students from across campus about the many and varied career opportunities in these industries and create a forum for students to learn from and network with companies for which diversity and inclusion are an essential part of their visions. For more information, visit the conference webpage.
Register for the conference
Cal Poly Jazz Ensembles to Present Virtual CD Release Concert on Feb. 19
General engineering major Yale Yun, bassist for the Cal Poly Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Cal Poly's Jazz Ensembles will present a virtual CD release concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, to celebrate their recently produced double album titled “another time, another place.” The album is the result of at-home rehearsals by members of the Cal Poly Jazz Ensemble and Cal Poly Vocal Jazz Ensemble that began in March due to the pandemic. Arthur White, director of jazz studies, wrote compositions and arrangements for the groups. The album also features a student composition by Davis Zamboanga, who graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in music in spring 2020. There are guest solos by Grammy Award-winner Randy Brecker and three Grammy-Award nominees: saxophonist Ada Rovatti, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and vibraphonist Joe Locke, who contributed solos from their East Coast home studios. Cal Poly’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Contemporary Jazz Group, Hard Bop Group and other student ensembles will perform for the virtual event, which will also include interviews with students who participated in the album-making process. Tickets are $5 and are sold at the Performing Arts Center, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website.
An Evening With DeRay Mckesson Open to Campus Community on Feb. 23
The Men and Masculinities Program and ASI events invite the campus community to an evening with DeRay Mckesson from 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. Mckesson is a powerful educator, author, civil rights activist and one of the leading voices in the Black Lives Matter movement. Titled, "Let Us Cry: Black Persistence and Masculinity," this conversation will explore the intersections of Blackness, masculinity and advocacy. The Zoom webinar link is https://calpoly.zoom.us/j/85138638389 and the Zoom webinar ID is 851 3863 8389. Questions? Contact Nick Bilich.
Reimagining Dinosaurs’ to Air on Cal Poly Arts Website Feb. 24
For the past two years Cal Poly Arts has presented a wildly popular series of evocative speakers from “National Geographic Live.” During this pandemic closure, Cal Poly Arts is proud to continue the tradition with a new four-part, virtual speaker series from “Nat Geo LIVE!” Each 60-minute episode includes an introduction, approximately 20 minutes of fascinating prerecorded National Geographic speakers’ presentations and 40 minutes of live moderated Q&A. The first event, “Reimagining Dinosaurs,” airs via the Cal Poly Arts website at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, and covers groundbreaking new science that is changing what we thought we knew about how dinosaurs looked, moved and lived. For example, in Chile, scientists have discovered a shocking new therapod. Unlike its cousins, Velociraptor and T. rex, Chilesaurus consumed a vegetarian diet. Join leading paleontologists and National Geographic Explorers Nizar Ibrahim and Sebastián Rozadilla for stories and conversation about the evolving science of dinosaurs. Tickets are $16.50 per screen or device. Visit calpolyarts.org for tickets and more information.
A Conversation with Michael Phelps’ to be Held Feb. 24
Join the conversation with author, mental health advocate, and one of the most decorated athletes of all time, Michael Phelps. ASI Events presents "A Conversation with Michael Phelps" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, via Zoom Webinar. The event is free to access with @calpoly.edu email address for students, faculty and staff. Submit your questions for Phelps now for a chance to have them answered live during the event. Before the event, stream for free the 2020 documentary "The Weight Of Gold,” on which Phelps served as executive producer. "The Weight Of Gold" is available anytime on Feb. 23 starting at midnight. The documentary explores the personal struggles and mental health issues of Phelps and other athletes who share their own challenges and highlight the need for available support. To learn more, visit asi.calpoly.edu.
Poet, Activist Sonya Renee Taylor to Headline 19th Annual Change the Status Quo Conference
Award-winning performance poet and activist Sonya Renee Taylor will deliver the keynote address for the 19th annual Change the Status Quo (CSQ) Social Justice Leadership Conference to be held virtually from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27. The annual event, hosted by Cal Poly’s Center for Service in Action, is free for all community members and aims to empower students to use the Learn by Doing spirit to challenge social norms, ask critical questions, demand solutions and make lasting social change. This year’s event will focus on the theme “Action over Apathy” and will be headlined by Taylor, a former national and international poetry slam champion and founder and radical executive officer of digital media and education company The Body is Not An Apology. For additional information and to register, visit the Change the Status Quo webpage.
'Picture a Scientist' Film Screening March 1-7, Panel Discussion March 4
The documentary “Picture a Scientist” will be available for free virtual screening for the Cal Poly community March 1-7. Faculty, staff and students are invited to view the film; engage in a discussion with their department, club or other group; and attend a virtual panel discussion with the film director and two Cal Poly science alumnae from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, March 4. The film chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists. A biologist, a chemist and a geologist lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, overcoming brutal harassment, institutional discrimination and years of subtle slights to revolutionize the culture of science. Register to view the film, watch a trailer or view more information about the event online. The event is sponsored by the College of Science and Mathematics. Email cosam@calpoly.edu with any questions.
Streaming of ‘Shelter’ Starts March 6
Cal Poly Theatre and Dance Department presents “Shelter: An Immersive Theatrical Audio Experience in Your Living Space.” Streaming begins on March 6 and will play through the rest of this academic year. This devised play will explore our current circumstance of “sheltering in place” by creating a theatrical piece that examines the emotional connection to our homes through an autobiographical lens. The play features a cast of seven students plus production work by Theatre and Dance Department students, faculty and staff. Watch and learn more.
Cal Poly Wind Bands to Present Virtual Concert Titled ‘Community’ on March 6

The Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra will present a virtual concert titled “Community” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 6. “Music has the ability to bring together minds and souls,” Director of Bands Christopher J. Woodruff said. “For this concert, the members of the Cal Poly Wind Bands explore the connections between individuals that make us part of a larger whole, whether they are performing in person or remotely. We are excited to have this performance recorded in the Performing Arts Center’s Miossi Hall, which offers the student musicians an acoustical experience that brings out the best possible musical communication.” Compositions by Katherine Bergman, Percy Grainger and Rossano Galante will be performed. Woodruff and Associate Director of Bands Nicholas P. Waldron will conduct the concert. Tickets are sold at the Performing Arts Center, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website.
Event Postings
Events.calpoly.edu is a new platform that shines a spotlight on high-profile special events at
Cal Poly and throughout our community, focusing on the wide and diverse range of activities on and around our campus. This site is designed to help our colleges, programs, departments and facilities promote exciting events that can be seen by a selected audience. It will update regularly and include events happening in the next 30-45 days. It is not a calendar of all events, and it does not include student club events. Here are some links to help you navigate:
Submitting an Event to Events.calpoly.edu
To submit your event for consideration, please send the event title, date, time, duration, ticket information, intended audience(s) and image (1600 bpi wide) to event-submission@calpoly.edu.
University Events Calendar
To find a listing of all events — such as performances, lectures, workshops and more — visit our Master Calendar.
Scheduling/Booking Venues
25Live: Space and Event Scheduling can help you schedule or book a venue for an upcoming on-campus event.