Lecture. “Envisioning Modern Portugal, Music and Nation.” 3:30-5:30 p.m., Fulton Hall, 5845 S. Ellis Ave., 773-702-8484, free. Salwa El-Shawan Castelo-Branco, of the New University of Lisbon, presents as part of the Music Department’s Visiting Committee Colloquium Series. Reception follows.
Tot Lot and Outdoor Playground. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., 773-643-4062, hpnclub.org, $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass.
Third Thursday. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., 773-702-0200, smartmuseum.uchicago.edu, free. Visitors view an abstract painting by Mark Rothko and then create their own color field painting. All materials provided. Open to adults of all skill levels.
Lecture. “Covering the Calamity: The Financial Crisis, and How We Faced It.” 4:30-6 p.m., Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-834-4671, free. Bethany McLean, contributing editor to Vanity Fair magazine, presents.
Film Screening and Discussion. “Emerging Thailand: The Spirit of Small Enterprise.” 6:30-8:45 p.m., International House, Assembly Hall, 1414 E. 59th St., 773-702-5599, free. A screening of a film by the same name, preceded by a reception. U. of C. economist Robert M. Townsend will sign copies of his new book, “Chronicle from the Field: the(…)
Lecture. “The Last Hapsburg Poet: Paul Celan’s Love Poetry and the Limits of Language.” 5-6:30 p.m., Logan Center, 915 E. 60th St., 773-834-8524, free. Marjorie Perloff, of Stanford University, presents. Reception follows. For special assistance, contact Maureen Grey by calling the same number or by sending an e-mail to t-9mgrey@uchicago.edu.
Lecture. “Ethnography and Architecture in the City at War.” 4:30-6:30 p.m., Cochrane-Woods Art Center, 5540 S. Greenwood Ave., 773-702-0278. Sheila Crane, of the University of Virginia, presents.
Lecture. “The Power of the Presidency in a Time of Political Gridlock.” 4:30-6 p.m., Institute of Politics, 5707 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-834-4671, free. President Obama’s former Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary, Chris Lu, presents.