Director Bruce Kotowich and the students of the UWindsor Chamber Choir and University Singers invite audiences to get into the holiday spirit during two matinee performances of their Festival of Christmas, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7 and 8.

Chamber Choir personnel includes 20 music majors from as near as Windsor and as far as Mexico City. The University Singers consists of more than 60 students from disciplines across campus — biology, biochemistry, drama, visual arts, communication, film, law, and architecture as well as music.

The program includes traditional carols and a sing-along in the spectacular setting of Assumption Hall’s Heritage Auditorium. Both performances are at 2:30 p.m. View the complete choral program and all students’ names, degree programs, and hometowns on the event webpages:

• Saturday, Dec. 7
• Sunday, Dec. 8

Admission is $20, with a student rate of $10. Purchase tickets in advance online; at the door payment will be accepted in cash only.

This year #GivingTuesday, Dec. 3, marks the beginning of the Faculty, Staff, and Retiree fundraising campaign.

“Students are at the heart of our campus,” says Chris Knack, co-ordinator of the Annual Giving Program. “Donations to the University can directly support students throughout their University career.”

Donations can be made to scholarships, groups, individual departments and faculties, or anywhere else across campus, he says: “You are invited to support the area you are most passionate about.”

Fundraising makes up an ever more important revenue stream for the University, and support from employees and retirees can make a big difference in the life of a student.

Donors to the campaign will be entered into a draw to win some great prizes:

• a free vacation day;
• two subscriptions to University Players;
• a UWindsor sweater, courtesy of the Campus Bookstore;
• tickets to concerts by the School of Creative Arts.

Employees and retirees will receive pledge cards in the coming days, says Knack.

“Your gift can help lead the way to create the kind of campus you want to have: one where we can all be Windsor Proud.”

University Players is offering DailyNews readers a chance to win two tickets to see its current production, Beauty and the Beast, which brings the classic tale to life with movement and music.

The show continues at Essex Hall Theatre through Dec. 8. Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. For more information or tickets, call the box office at 519-253-3000, ext. 2808, or visit www.UniversityPlayers.com.

To enter the contest, just identify the writer who penned each of the following quotes about beauty or beasts. The winner, selected at random from all correct responses received by 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, will receive two tickets to a performance.

1. Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye.
   a) Francis Bacon
   b) Ben Jonson
   c) Christopher Marlowe
   d) William Shakespeare
    
2. There is no folly of the beasts of the earth which is not infinitely outdone by the madness of men.
   a) Louisa May Alcott
   b) Herman Melville
   c) Susanna Moodie
   d) Mark Twain
    
3. Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast.
   a) William Congreve
   b) John Dryden
   c) Thomas Hardy
   d) Walt Whitman
    

Contest is open to all readers of the DailyNews. Send an e-mail with your responses to uofwnews@uwindsor.ca. One entry per contestant, please. Note: the decision of the judge in determining the most correct response is inviolable.

Catering Services will host a tasting menu event Friday, Dec. 6, aimed at faculty and staff unable to attend Tuesday’s holiday luncheon.

“We wanted to offer a nice event for people,” says executive chef Paolo Vasapolli. “It’s our first time trying it, and we hope our patrons enjoy it.”

The menu will feature:

• Charcuterie Board of cured meats, assorted cheeses, raw honey, $8 per person
• Grilled Shrimp four pieces with warm fennel and radicchio slaw, chili oil, $8
• Fried Brussels Sprouts with pistachios, Andouille sausage, $6
• Caprese Salad with burrata, kumato, baby arugula, black truffle balsamic dressing, $7
• Oysters Rockefeller with baby spinach, panko, Pernod, chervil, beurre blanc, $3.50 apiece
• Merlot-Stained Ravioli five pieces with short ribs, $9
• Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese and dill crema, toasted walnuts, $6
• Local beer and wine available for purchase

The event will run noon to 2 p.m. in the University Club on the lower level of Vanier Hall.

Seating and quantities of food are limited; call Catering Services for reservations, 519-253-3000, ext. 3276 or 3277.

Campus student unions will serve a free lunch of pasta, salad, and rolls to all comers today — Monday, Dec. 2.

The Organization of Part-time University Students, Graduate Student Society, and University of Windsor Students’ Alliance present Students Solidarity Pasta, sponsored by the Policy Management Board with the support of Catering Services. It will run 1 to 3 p.m. in the CAW Student Centre Commons.

Campus Police and Information Technology Services will conduct a test of the UWindsor Alert mass notification system at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Faculty, staff, and students may register or update their contact information at http://www.uwindsor.ca/campuspolice/335/uwindsor-alert.

The Windsor University Faculty Association’s winter solstice celebration will run 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, at Kerr House, 366 Sunset Ave.

RSVP by Dec. 6 to the faculty association office, 519-253-3000, ext. 3365, or email wufa@uwindsor.ca.

The association’s Status of Women, Diversity and Equity Action Committee is collecting donations for the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women. Drop off contributions at the Faculty Association office, weekdays through Dec. 13.

Items currently in high demand include household cleaning products and laundry detergent, facial and bathroom tissue, school snacks and juice boxes, bus tickets and adhesive bandages, diapers and baby formula, feminine hygiene products and toiletries, as well as clothing: new socks and underwear, gently-used warm winter apparel, pyjamas, and shoes.

Monetary donations are always appreciated; cheques can be made payable to “the Welcome Centre.”