Harper College notes

Harper's history of art: Harper has the largest collection of public art in the Northwest suburbs. This month, nine artists who helped create it will showcase new works in celebration of Harper's 40th anniversary.

The 40th Anniversary Art Invitational will run through April 24 in Room C200 of Building C. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, with extended hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Friday.

Featured artists are Fletcher Benton, John Fraser, Roland Ginzel, Carol Mickett, David Sharpe, Geoffrey Todd Smith, Mary Snyder Behrens, Robert Stackhouse and Frank Trankina. Guided, hour-long walking tours of Harper's existing art collection -- featuring work by Picasso, among others -- will be offered at 5:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and at 12:15 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. Friday.

The tours, and admission to the exhibit, are free and open to all. Advance sign-up is required for the tours. Register at (847) 925-6336 or harpercollege.edu/arts. For more on Harper's 40th Anniversary Arts Festival, visit harpercollege.edu/arts.

Speech spectacular: Harper's award-winning Speech Team will present "Night Before Nationals," the annual season's-end performance that gives audiences a sampling of what the team's been up to, at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Performing Arts Center.

The evening showcases various members and various talents of the 13-student team, who will head to the national contest in St. Charles afterward.

They'll showcase competition categories like Speech to Entertain, which speech team director Jeff Przybylo bills as "standup comedy with a point," and Impromptu Speaking, which will feature a team member speaking on a random topic thrown out by the audience.

Tickets are $6 for general admission, with discounts available for seniors and students. Get tickets at the Harper Box Office, harpercollege.edu/boxoffice or (847) 925-6100.

Tango How-To: The seductive rhythms and steps of the Latin American Tango have tantalized musicians and dancers for more than a century.

Considered the world's first "forbidden dance" because of its sensuality, the dance truly sizzles -- as well as the music behind it: a blend of violin, piano, double bass and the accordion-like bandoneón.

Learn the tricks behind the tunes at a Tango Workshop for Musicians, held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Room P205 of Building P. The workshop will be led by Chicago's Alma de Tango quartet.

Members will demonstrate the fine art of performing the sultry music. Those wishing to play along should bring their own stringed instrument. Admission costs $19. Register at (847) 925-6300.

Harper also hosts Tango Fantastico!, a romantic date-night celebration of the music and dance, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Performing Arts Center.

Featured will be the Alma de Tango Quartet, and Harper faculty members. Admission is $10; discounts for students and seniors.

To purchase tickets, call (847) 925-6100 or visit harpercollege.edu/boxoffice.

Wellness Week:ŒLiving well can be as simple as unlocking strengths: the strength to quit smoking, the strength that comes from grieving in the right way, the strength unleashed by eating right.

Harper's 23rd Annual Wellness Week offers guidance, with three days of free programming and workshops aimed at awakening all strengths - from dance, tae kwon do and yoga to gaining a better understanding of Asperger's, men's health and Medicare.

More than two dozen sessions are on tap for Wellness Week, running April 15 to April 17. Featured will be sessions on parenting, alternative medicine, finding the perfect work-life balance and Zumba - a course combining motivating music with unique moves, allowing participants to literally dance away their worries.

All programming is open to the public. Wellness Week is supported by the American Cancer Society and Wellness Place. For a detailed Wellness Week brochure, including a full list of program dates and times, visit harpercollege.edu or call (847) 925-6268.

Highlights of Wellness Week include:

• Ralph Nader's address, "Careless Health Care," 7:30 p.m. April 15, Performing Arts Center. Consumer activist Nader will tackle one of his key issues -- health care -- in a public address keynoting Wellness Week.

As part of his speech, Nader will discuss alternatives to America's current health care system. Tickets are $15 for general admission, with discounts for students and senior citizens. Call (847) 925-6100.

• Screening of Michael Moore's film "Sicko" at 2 p.m. April 15 and 7 p.m. April 16, Building A, Room A242. The Academy Award-nominated 2007 documentary explores universal health care and the overall American health care system.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Call (847) 925-6100 for ticket information.

• Health Fair 2008, free health screenings and exhibits, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16, Building A, Main Floor. The fair will feature educational materials and handouts on health issues, as well as more than two dozen exhibits.

There will also be opportunities for blood pressure screenings and body fat analyses. Blood profile, thyroid function and PSA testing is available for a fee. Call (847) 925-6268 for appointments.

Wellness Week hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 15 and 16; and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 17.