Credit: Courtesy of Findlay Galleries

Free on the big screen

To begin the semester, Cornell Cinema offers first-year and new transfer students a week of free films in Willard Straight Theatre, starting with 75th anniversary screenings of a classic: “Casablanca” (1942), based on a play by Cornellian Murray Burnett ’31, showing Aug. 20 and 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Orientation to Cornell Cinema, a free program open to all Aug. 21 at 7 p.m., highlights one of the best campus film exhibition programs in the country, with coming attractions trailers, short films, door prizes and free popcorn. A movie poster sale follows at 8:45 p.m.

Other screenings through Aug. 27 (all free to new students on the first date listed) include three from 2017: “Beauty and the Beast” on Aug. 22 (and free to all Cornell students Aug. 25), the French documentary “Tomorrow” (with students from the Cornell Environmental Collaborative) and Jordan Peele’s comedy thriller “Get Out,” both on Aug. 23 (“Get Out” returns Aug. 26).

Also free for new students: “Le Samourai” (1967) on Aug. 24, introduced by professor of government Jonathan Kirshner and opening a series of Jean-Pierre Melville films (regular admission at a second screening Aug. 27); Japanese teen drama “Your Name” (2016) on Aug. 24 (regular admission Aug. 26 and 29); and finally, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” on Aug. 25 (regular admission Aug. 27). All films are open to the public.

Cornell fun facts 

How did Cornell choose its school colors? How did founder Ezra Cornell make his fortune? Which Cornell alum was responsible for the creation of the chicken nugget?

The answers and more surprising historical and fun facts about Cornell can be yours at “The First American University – Cornell’s History,” a talk by campus history expert Corey Ryan Earle ’07, Aug. 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. in G76 Goldwin Smith Hall.

All are welcome, especially new students and their families.

Inspired by fungi

“The Magic of Mushrooms,” a multimedia exhibition of artwork created by students of professor and mycologist Kathie Hodge, is on display through Aug. 31 in Mann Library’s second-floor gallery, open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Hodge’s Magical Mushrooms, Mischievous Molds is not your typical biology course – it’s more like a narrated double-decker bus tour of the Kingdom of Fungi. Together, Hodge, her students and teaching assistants tell the stories of weird and world-sustaining mushrooms and the noble works of yeasts and medicinal molds.

The subject matter is approachable and the class attracts hundreds of diverse students. For extra credit, some took the opportunity to make fungus-inspired art based on a fact from the wild world of fungi.

Art from Taiwan

See the work of 14 artists from Taiwan in “Power, Haunting, and Resilience,” Aug. 19 through Dec. 17 at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art.

The works expose the lingering and often haunting effects of authoritarianism, social ideology, environmental disaster, international politics and personal circumstances. The exhibition is jointly organized by the Johnson Museum and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Four of the artists represented will visit to speak about their work Sept. 7 at 5:15 p.m. The museum celebrates its new exhibitions with a fall party, Sept. 8 at 5 p.m.

Summer exhibits ending soon are “All for One and One for All: Portfolios from the Permanent Collection,” through Aug. 20; and “Robert Richenburg: Abstract Expressionist Painter,” through Sept. 10. The museum is closed Mondays; admission other days is free and open to the public. 

Beginning Sept. 7, extended fall hours on Thursdays are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Herb garden tour

Visit Cornell Botanic Gardens for an evening stroll through the Robison York State Herb Garden, Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m. with herb gardener Pamela Shade.

With a unique arrangement of 17 theme beds illustrating the importance of plants to human cultures, the garden features more than 500 varieties of herbs. Meet at the Brian C. Nevin Welcome Center, 124 Comstock Knoll Road. There is a $5 suggested donation.

National Waffle Day

Celebrate National Waffle Day Aug. 24 at Risley Dining with a Make Your Own Waffle station and creative toppings selected by Risley’s culinary team.

Some possibilities: Tikka Masala Grilled Cheese Waffles, Buffalo Wing Waffles, Huevos Wafflecheros … or invent your own, and share pictures of your creation with the hashtag #WelcomeWaffle. Risley Dining is certified 100 percent gluten free, peanut free, and tree-nut free.

The cost is one swipe for Meal Plan students, $14.25 in Big Red Bucks, $14.15 on Meal Choice; or $15.70 for adults at the door, $7.85 for children, tax included.