Experience the sounds, tastes and fun of Chapman University, summer style

Chapman University knows how to do summer. From our wildly popular summer concert series to quiet self-guided art tours of the campus “museum without walls,” there’s plenty to fill those lazy days of summer. Scratch that. They’re not lazy at all. So break out the flip flops and open those calendars. We’re not closing up shop.

Jump in — the conversation’s great

Kick off summer by joining the conversation at 2013 TEDxChapmanU, Chapman University’s second annual independently organized TED event, June 4. 
TEDxChapmanU
returns with another outstanding slate of presenters this year, continuing the theme of Icons, Geniuses & Mavericks. Speakers will include industry leaders from law, business, entertainment, technology and science, as well as cutting edge faculty members and an award-winning student speaker whose speech one him first place in the nation.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Choose to see it live in Memorial Hall or live-streamed in the informal TEDxChapmanU Lab in the George H.W. Bush Conference Center. Either way, there’s a summer swag bag for all.  Tickets are $45 to $60. For more information, visit the
TEDxChapmanU
website.

Cool music for hot nights

Set in beautiful Attallah Piazza, the Free Family-Friendly Summer Concerts is one of best outdoor concert series in the county. Bring a picnic and a lawn chair and enjoy great music and giveaways. All concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. Free parking in Lastinger Parking Structure. This year’s line-up includes: The Bracken Band, an Irish folk and rock group, July 26; The Alley Cats, a fan favorite doo-wop group, Aug. 2; and The Nocturnes, a legendary Orange County surf band, Aug. 9. For more details, visit the
Summer Concerts website
.

Hit the books

Step out of the heat and into the calm of The Leatherby Libraries, where permanent and special exhibitions are always on view.

Dedicated by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Elie Wiesel, the fourth-floor
Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library
displays tell poignant stories of struggle and survival. Among the library’s collections is a Dutch first-edition of The Diary of Anne Frank, and numerous histories, photographs and artifacts. Hours at the Samueli Memorial are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 pm.

A special exhibition by book artist
Mary Heebner
continues to August. Known for her expressive mixed media work on paper, Heebner brings a passion for drawing and painting to her book design. The Heebner display is on the second floor and may be viewed during regular summer library hours, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Art here, there and everywhere

Stroll through “the museum without walls” that includes works by Roy Lichtenstein and Edward Ruscha, among many other contemporary artists. It’s all part of The Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art. Start with the monumental Tony DeLap sculture,
The Levitation of the Enchanged Princess
, on the lawn adjacent to Leatherby Libraries, and then see what’s on display throughout the public corridors of Beckman Hall, Argyros Forum and Leatherby Libraries. (The artwork is frequently rotated, so return for the
Big Orange Book Festival
Oct. 11-13 for another look.) Find news about collection highlights or download a QR mobile reader at the
Escalette Collection
blog.

In addition, a portion of the collection will be on display through June 22 in the Guggenheim Gallery, Mondays through Friday, from noon to 4 p.m.

Discover home town history

Learn about the history of the last-standing Mexican-American segregated school in Southern California and its renaissance as a new Chapman University research center at the Aug. 14 meeting of the
Old Towne Preservation Association
. Kris Olsen, vice president of campus planning and operations, will talk about the architectural restoration and Leo Castro of the Cypress Barrio Historical Society will share stories about the school’s history in the community. The 6 p.m. meeting will be held at the school house, 544 N. Cypress St. Admission is free and open to the public.

Veg out and eat in

On the fourth Saturday of every month now through summer the
Orange Home Grown
Saturday market will offer its Free Summer Chef Demo Series. The market is held each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the historic Villa Park Orchards Packinghouse on the Chapman University campus, at the corner of Cypress and Palm Avenues.