Calendar

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.

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.

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.

Poetry Reading. 6-7 p.m., Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-752-4381, semcoop.com. Poets Natalie Shapero and Katia Mitova read from and discuss their work.

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 Townsend Thai Project.” For more information, call 773-834-2240. For speciall assistance, call 773-753-2274.

Tot Lot. 9 a.m.-noon, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 5480 S. Kenwood Ave., info@babyphd.com, classes are $9 drop-in, $45 for a 10-session pass or $65 for a monthly pass. This class is intended for children 0-4 and their caregivers or parents to get together on a regular basis to learn, play and benefit from one another’s company.

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.

Jumu’ah Prayers. 1-1:45 p.m. and 1:45-2:45 p.m., Bond Chapel, 1050 E. 59th St, 773-702-2100. Muslim Friday prayers.

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.

Franco-German Concert: Elysée Treaty 50th Anniversary. 5-6 p.m., International House, Assembly Hall, 1414 E. 59th St., 773-753-2274, free. Harpist Isabelle Olivier and violinist Mathias Tacke perform.

Film Screening. “Invisible War.” 6:30 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave., 773-324-4100, free. Featuring the 2012 film on rape in the military, with a following discussion led by a female veteran sexual assault survivor.

Film Screening. “The Days of the Commune.” 7 p.m., Logan Center, Screening Room 201, 915 E. 60th St., 773-702-8596, free. Featuring director Zoe Beloff’s 2013 film.

Concert. Contempo: Tomorrow’s Music Today II. 7:30 p.m., Logan Center, Performance Hall 074, 915 E. 60th St., 773-702-8068, free.