Francesca Rendle-Short will read from her book "Bite Your Tongue" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading, sponsored by the University of Iowa Nonfiction Writing Program, also will be streamed live on the UI Writing University website.

Eleanor Catton, alumna of the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, has been honored with the 2013 Man Booker Prize for her second novel, "The Luminaries." At 28, Catton is the youngest author to win the Booker Prize; at 832 pages, "The Luminaries" is the longest work to win the prize in its 45-year history.

Marlon James, assistant professor of English at Macalester College, will present a free reading at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in the Frank Conroy Reading Room of the Glenn Schaeffer Library, adjacent to the Dey House.

At the upcoming Assignment Design Institute Saturday, Oct. 19, participants can learn how to create and implement classroom assignments that foster innovation and invite students to engage with broader communities through the use of audio, video, still images, and other technologies.

The University of Iowa School of Music will present “Not in Kansas Anymore: Percussive Improvisations,” an evening-length musical exploration showcasing the creative energies of NYC-based drummer Matt Wilson and UI professor of percussion Dan Moore, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Art Building West auditorium.

UI alumnus Michael Lynch began his “blind audition” on NBC’s "The Voice" alone on the stage. After his 90-second rendition of "Bailamos," Lynch found himself in the midst of an impromptu dancing duet with Christina Aguilera. Ahead of the "battle rounds," Lynch reflects on his memorable moment.

The UI School of Social Work prepares students to work in many different practice settings.

Carroll native and Des Moines resident Steve Bernholtz is the kind of guy you want on your side, a chemical detective who looks for things in water and soil that you probably don’t want in there.

The JACK Quartet, current residents of the UI String Quartet Residency Program, spent much of this week with composition and string students in the School of Music. A week of mentoring and developing students' work will culminate with the JACK performing UI student compositions Friday, Oct. 11, in Riverside Recital Hall.

A University of Iowa program that teams students with community leaders to improve the social, environmental, and economic conditions in small cities is working with Washington in southeast Iowa.

The University of Iowa School of Music will present a free performance by organist Christoph Keggenhoff at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in Riverside Recital Hall on the UI campus. Keggenhoff will perform music of Bach, Buxtehude, Eben, and Merkel on the Taylor and Boody op. 13 organ, which is built in the style of organs known to Bach.

The University of Iowa Center for New Music will present a performance by guest composer Michael Harrison titled “Revelation: Music in Pure Intonation” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in Riverside Recital Hall on the UI campus. The performance is free and open to the public.