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December 2000 Dinner:The Physics ChanteuseFor the first time in its history, NCSWA has booked a cabaret act for its quarterly meeting. But don't worry, it's a scientific song and dance. Physicist and chanteuse Lynda Williams will perform her science cabaret act at the December 5 meeting at the Lawrence Hall of Science. With a voice "somewhere between Madonna and Eartha Kitt," according to the New York Times, Williams has been playing science meetings across the country, composing her own songs and interjecting jokes and witty asides, exploring the musical motifs of science and technology. In addition, she periodically hosts other science performers at her Cosmic Cabaret at San Francisco State University, where she teaches introductory astronomy and physics. According to People Magazine, "Williams puts the fizz back in physics." Her songs include "Black Hole Song," crooned to the tune of the Beatles' "Blackbird," about the LIGO gravity wave detector; "Hi Tek Girl," sung to the tune of Madonna's "Material Girl;" and "Carbon Is a Girl's Best Friend." Many of these are on her CD "Cosmic Cabaret." "Her Chanteuse is more Lucille Ball than Madonna," said the Los Angeles Times, but there's a mission behind her act. She feels that too many people get turned off permanently by science when they're young -- largely because of the way science is presented in school. Entertainment must be the key; in which case, her "conceptual physics" students at SF State should be on their way to Nobel Prizes. For more on her routines, including sample songs, visit the Lynda Williams website. Further details of the NCSWA event follow: WHERE: Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive, Berkeley WHEN: Tuesday, December 5, 6:30 - 10 p.m
Cost: $25 per person, $15 for students. Drinks -- wine, sodas or water -- are included in the price. SEND CHECKS, MADE OUT TO NCSWA, TO:
APPETIZERS AND BUFFET INCLUDE:
Directions to the Lawrence Hall of Science can be found on the Web at http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/GettingHere.html
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