Linfield University hosts a robust schedule of public events throughout April. Oregon’s pioneering wine families, renown authors and a Nobel laureate visit Linfield for on-campus lectures, readings and discussions. Live theatre returns with “The Lightning Thief,” with tickets going on sale April 9. The Department of Art hosts “Hands of Our Ancestors” exhibit by Stephanie Craig, as well as its annual Build to Burn event. All events are open to the public and free, unless otherwise noted.
April 9: Wildcat Wine Chat with Alex Sokol Blosser
Join Linfield University for a Wildcat Wine Chat with Alex Sokol Blosser, president and second-generation winegrower at Sokol Blosser Wines as he shares his journey in wine. The conversation runs from 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 in Fred Meyer Lounge (Riley Campus Center). Maria Ponzi, director of Linfield’s Center for Wine Education, will host the event. Open to all ages. Registration required at linfield.edu/wine.
April 10-11: Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium at Linfield University
The Oregon Nobel Laureate Symposium returns to Linfield University’s McMinnville and Portland campuses April 10-11, 2025. The two-day program includes several events featuring Dr. Randy W. Schekman, who won the 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The keynote, titled “Cells, Genes and Discovery in Basic Science and Disease,” is at 7:30 p.m. April 10 in the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium. Attendees can reserve their free seats or see the full symposium schedule at linfield.edu/nobel.
April 12: Race to Space
Get ready for the UFO Festival next month with Linfield’s 4th annual Race to Space on April 12 on the university’s Wellness Trail. This time race has options for everyone, including one-, three-, six- and eight-hour options, as well as an alternate four-loop relay for teams of two to four participants. Start times vary.
- 8 a.m. Moon Shot (one-hour race) and Journey to Pluto (eight-hour race)
- 9:30 a.m. Mission to Mars (three-hour race) and Solar Shuffle (six-hour race)
- 12 p.m. Space Spring (four-loop relay)
Base Camp is located at the start/finish of the 1.5-mile loop trail course located at 57 Keck Drive, McMinnville. Profits from the event go to charity. For more information or to register online, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/OR/McMinnville/RacetoSpace.
April 12: Walk a Mile in Their Shoes
For the 10th straight year, the brothers of Pi Kappa Alpha have partnered with Henderson House for the annual Walk A Mile event. Members of the fraternity will walk around the Linfield University Academic Quad in high heels to support awareness for domestic abuse. This year’s event runs from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 12. Since 2015, Pi Kappa Alpha has raised more than $60,000 for Henderson House through this philanthropic effort.
April 14-15: 52nd Walter Powell Philosophy Lectures
Susanne Ravn from the University of Southern Denmark comes to the Linfield University McMinnville Campus for the 52nd Walter Powell Philosophy Lectures. Ravn is a professor and head of the research unit called Movement, Culture and Society (MoCS) in the Department of Sports Science and Biomechanics. Her research focuses on how people experience movement – including dance, sports and exercise – and how that connects to health and culture. Ravn will give two public lectures:
- Monday, April 14: “Diversities of lived experiences and a critical use of phenomenology,” 6:30 p.m. in Jonasson Hall inside Melrose Hall
- Tuesday, April 15: “Kinesthesis in action: How do we feel movement?” 6:30 p.m. in Jonasson Hall inside Melrose Hall
April 18: 17th annual Built to Burn
The Department of Art hosts the 17th annual Built to Burn on at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 18. As is tradition, a wood sculpture was “built to burn” by Linfield students to complete the cycle of collaboration and creation. The burn commences at dusk, followed by a marshmallow roast. Rain or shine, it is held in the field west of the Miller Fine Arts Center on Keck Drive.
April 24-May 3: “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical”
The Linfield Theatre Program in collaboration with the Department of Music presents “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.” Performance dates are April 24 and 25 and May 1–3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets go on sale online on April 9 at noon, and the box office opens April 22.
The story – based on the bestselling novel by Rick Riordan – follows Percy Jackson’s odyssey from troublemaker to hero as he confronts Greek gods and monsters, a traitor, an absentee father and self–doubt. Fog, haze and flashing lights will be used. Recommended for ages 8 and older. Children under the age of seven (including babes in arms) will not be admitted to any performance. Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
For more information about special post-performance events or tickets, visit https://www.linfield.edu/arts/theatre.html.
April 26: Linfield Lū’au and Hō’ike
Tickets are now available to Linfield’s 52nd annual Lū’au and Hō’ike on April 26. This celebration of Pacific Island culture – titled “Ku’u One Hanau” – is organized by Linfield’s Hui O Lōkahi and features a market (mākeke) from 4-7 p.m., dinner (lū’au) from 5-7 p.m. and show (hō’ike) starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $15-30. Show tickets and dinner tickets are purchased separately at https://www.linfield.events/luau-2025.html. Tickets to the lū’au must be purchased in advance.
April 29: Readings at the Nick: Justin Gardiner and Rose McLarney
Join acclaimed writers of the natural world Justin Gardiner and Rose McLarney for a reading and conversation. The event takes place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 in Nicholson Library’s Austin Reading Room. Publisher’s Weekly calls McLarney’s latest collection of poetry Colorfast “life-affirming and refreshing.” Gardiner’s book-length lyric essay, “Small Altars,” a mediation on comic books, family, mental illness, and grief, won the 2021 Faulkner-Wisdom Nonfiction Book Award One. Gardiner and McLarney live on twelve acres in west Georgia alongside Palmetto Creek. Question and answer session with the authors to follow.
April 30: A Taste of Oregon Wine History
Immerse yourself in the early and evolving days of Oregon wine with storytelling by local wine pioneers Dick Ponzi, Rob Stuart and Adam Campbell. The event takes place from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30 in Nicholson Library. Rich Schmidt of the Oregon Wine Archives and Maria Ponzi, director of Linfield’s Center of Wine Education, will moderate the event. A tasting of older vintages is included for this limited-capacity event. The event is currently at capacity. To join the waitlist, visit linfield.edu/wine.
Continuing throughout April: “Hands of our Ancestors” exhibit by Stephanie Craig
“Hands of the Ancestors,” an exhibit by Stephanie Craig, runs in the Linfield Gallery in the Miller Fine Arts Center from April 2 through May 3, 2025. The exhibition features indigenous basketry, belongings and photos corresponding to Craig’s traditions and practice. The Linfield Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. This exhibition is sponsored by the Lacroute Arts Series and the Department of Art. For more information and directions, visit www.linfield.edu/arts.
See more Linfield events at linfield.edu/calendar.html or view the comprehensive athletic schedule of events at golinfieldwildcats.com/calendar.
