From Macbeth to Mele Kalikimaka — campus comes alive with fall performances and holiday cheer
As the year winds down, Linfield University’s stages, galleries and classrooms come alive with creativity and connection. November and December bring a diverse lineup of performances, readings, discussions and seasonal celebrations — from the haunting conclusion of “Macbeth” and appearances by acclaimed authors Mat Johnson and Aja Gabel to lively concerts from Linfield’s choirs, dance and instrumental ensembles. Highlights include conversations with wine industry leaders Katherine Cole and Maria Ponzi and festive campus traditions such as the Teddy Bear Toss and Mele Kalikimaka. Most events are free and open to the public, offering a vibrant way to experience Linfield’s community spirit this season.
Nov. 5: Wildcat Wine Chat with Katherine Cole
Join Maria Ponzi, director of the Center for Wine Education at Linfield, for a conversation with Katherine Cole about communication in the wine industry. Cole is an author of five books on wine, works with fine wineries as a communications director at Vin Agency and previously hosted “The Four Top” podcast. As a journalist, she has been honored with both a James Beard Award and an IACP Award. The Wildcat Wine Chat runs from 2-3 p.m. Nov. 5 in Riley Campus Center. The public and guests under the age of 21 are welcome. Registration is required at linfield.edu/wine.
Nov. 5: Readings at the Nick: Mat Johnson and Aja Gabel
Linfield welcomes award-winning authors Mat Johnson and Aja Gabel for a joint reading and discussion of their work at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5 in Nicholson Library.
Johnson, the Phil Knight Chair of the Humanities at the University of Oregon, is the author of acclaimed works including “Pym,” “Loving Day,” “The Great Negro Plot,” and the graphic novels “Incognegro” and “Backflash.” Known for blending humor with sharp social commentary on race and identity, he has received honors such as the American Book Award and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award.
Gabel is the author of “The Ensemble” and the forthcoming work “Lightbreakers,” which is due to be released the day before the event. Her short story “Little Fish” was adapted into a feature film, and she has written for television shows aired on HBO, Apple and Disney. Her fiction and screenwriting explore connection, grief and transformation, with work appearing in The Cut, LA Times and beyond.
Nov. 9: Second Sunday Pop-Up Wine Tasting
Enjoy wine direct from the winemakers! Acorn to Oak Wine Experience, Linfield’s student-run wine bar on Third Street, hosts pop-up tasting events from 12-6 p.m. every second Sunday of the month, featuring different partner wineries. The event is free, but bottles are available to purchase and take home from the wineries. Check out Acorn to Oak’s social media the week leading up to the event to see what partners will be pouring. Reservations are appreciated but not required.
Through Nov. 9: Linfield Theatre presents “Macbeth”
Linfield Theatre continues its run of the most haunted and haunting of all of Shakespeare’s classics: “Macbeth.” A fast–paced, intimate tragedy, “Macbeth” careens through a world of magic, war, and violence in many forms. This production reveals the way human greed and lust for power ravages the land, our communities, and our sense of self. Between witches chanting, battles, and assassination, this production will immerse audiences in a medieval Scotland that has deep resonances to today. Directed by Lindsey Mantoan. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1, Nov. 6–8, 2025, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 9 on the Marshall Theatre stage in Ford Hall. Seating is reserved. Tickets are on sale at the box office or at www.linfield.edu/arts.
After the show on Nov. 1, director Lindsey Mantoan leads a discussion titled “Faeries, Kings and Bloody Hands,” a conversation about the history, folklore and politics of “Macbeth.” This is a free event and does not include a performance ticket.
Special thanks to Damian Lillard Toyota and the Lacroute Art Series, generous sponsors for the 2025–26 theatre season.
Nov. 11: Explore Linfield fall open house
Explore Linfield, held Nov. 11 on the McMinnville campus, is an opportunity for students to learn more about Linfield’s offerings. Prospective first-year and transfer students (and families or counselors, if they wish to join) can hear about academic and extracurricular offerings, as well as the admission, scholarship and financial aid process. The event includes an exploration fair, presentations, lunch in the dining commons, mini-classes with faculty and a tour of Linfield’s 189-acre park-like campus. We invite students at any stage of their college search to join us! Register online at https://www.linfield.edu/admission/visit/explore-linfield.html.
Nov. 12: “Who is the ‘We’ in ‘We the People’?”
Join faculty members from Linfield’s Department of Political Science and across the College of Arts and Sciences for a discussion of the meaning of American identity in our diverse and evolving democracy. What does it mean to belong in a society as expansive and varied as the contemporary United States? On what grounds should the boundaries of citizenship be drawn, and who should have the authority to decide? Hear more from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12 in T.J. Day Hall, room 222.
Nov. 14-16: 2025 Mahaffey Speech and Debate Tournament
Undergraduate students from across the nation will compete in the 95th annual R.D. Mahaffey Memorial Forensics Tournament Nov. 14-16 at Linfield University. The tournament is one of the oldest continuing intercollegiate tournaments in the nation and honors Roy “Hap” Mahaffey, Linfield alumnus, for his pioneering efforts with forensics. Linfield students will compete, as well as help organize and host the event, which is hosted by the Linfield University Forensics Team and the Oregon Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa Delta. The public is invited to observe all competitions held throughout the McMinnville campus. Those interested in serving as a judge can contact Jackson Miller at 503-883-2625.
Nov. 14: ¡Spanglish Day!
Join the Linfield University community in celebrating ¡Spanglish Day! from 4-6:30 p.m. in Riley Campus Center, room 310. The event includes:
- 4-5 p.m.: “The heritage languages of Latines in the U.S.: A personal and academic perspective” by guest speaker Valeria Ochoa, program coordinator for Spanish Heritage Language Learners at Oregon State University
- 5-6:30 p.m.: Student readings, prizes and tacos. Hear the winning poetry, essay and fiction entries from the Spanglish Writing Contest.
¡Spanglish Day! is made possible through the collaboration of the Office of Community and Belonging, Spanish Club, CRES, the Writing Center, LULA and the Department of Global Languages and Cultural Studies.
Nov. 14: 2025 Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet
Join Wildcat Athletics Friday, Nov. 14 in Nicholson Library to honor the best and brightest from the rich history of Linfield University Athletics. Entering the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame this year are:
- Amanda (Attleberger) Strahm ’08 — softball
- Aaron Boehme ’10 — football
- Kevin Schjei ’02 — baseball
- Billy Maxwell ’24 — meritorious service
Additional information on the inductees is available at https://golinfieldwildcats.com/news/2025/10/14/general-interest-four-to-be-enshrined-in-athletics-hall-of-fame-nov-14.aspx. Social hour starts at 5 p.m. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. with the induction ceremony starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online and should be purchased by Friday, Nov. 7. The Linfield Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet is sponsored by Pacific Office Automation.
Through Nov. 14: “Petrichor” by Peter Evan Costas
“Petrichor,” an exhibit by artist Peter Evan Costas will be featured in the Linfield Gallery in the Miller Fine Arts Center at Linfield University from Oct. 8 through Nov. 14, 2025. Colorado-based Costas uses mixed media to reconstruct and unearth memories and imagination. The exhibition features photographs, mixed media artworks and sculpture. Tapping into his experience serving as a sonar technician in the U.S. Navy, Costas’ work drives to both communicate the submariner experience and use memory as a catalyst for fiction.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. This exhibition is sponsored by the Lacroute Arts Series and the Department of Art.
Nov. 14 & Dec. 12: AI Book Club: “Rewiring Your Mind” by David Wood
Part of the School of Business’ Artificial Intelligence and I (AIAI) Initiative, the community is invited to discuss influential AI research papers and books in a collaborative setting. The fall semester book is “Rewiring Your Mind for AI” by David Wood. Hosted by Nicholson Library, the AI Book Club meets on the second Friday of the month from 12-1 p.m. in Nicholson Library’s Austin Reading Room.
Nov. 18: Opera and Musical Theatre Showcase
Join the Linfield singers for an evening of selections from classic operas and contemporary musical theatre. The free event starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 in Delkin Recital Hall within the Vivian Bull Music Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Save your seat at https://events.linfield.edu/musicevents.
Nov. 20: Thanksgiving Chorale Concert
Join the Linfield Concert Choir and Wildcat Glee in a performance celebrating the season. Songs will focus on the spirit of gratitude and the joy of the upcoming holidays. The free event starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20 in the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium within Melrose Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Save your seat at https://events.linfield.edu/musicevents.
Nov. 21: Dance Showcase
Join Linfield University for an evening of movement and expression, presented by the Department of Music in collaboration with the Linfield Theatre Program. The Dance Showcase highlights Linfield’s talented dancers. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The free event starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 in Marshall Theatre within Ford Hall.
Dec. 1: Instrumental Performance
The Linfield Instrumental Performance Ensemble presents a concert of powerful art music and student-created arrangements. The free event starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1 in Delkin Recital Hall within the Vivian Bull Music Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Save your seat at https://events.linfield.edu/musicevents.
Dec. 3: 2025 Juried Student Exhibition
The 2025 Juried Student Exhibition will be featured in the Linfield Gallery in the Miller Fine Arts Center at Linfield University from Dec. 3 through Dec. 12. An opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 with light refreshments. Juror Don Hoskisson will give remarks regarding the students’ work at 5 p.m. in the gallery. This annual show feature work by Linfield students in a wide range of media, with awards for first, second and third place and honorable mention.
Dec. 3: Maker’s Market
The Department of Art hosts its annual Maker’s Market from 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3 in Miller Fine Arts Center. Visitors will be able to purchase unique, handmade gifts. Past creations for sale included prints, paintings, drawings, ceramics, fiber, jewelry and graphic design created by Linfield students.
Dec. 4: Student Composer and Music Technology Concert
Come hear the debut of new student works performed by the Thunder Egg Consort. This concert showcases student compositions from the music technology class and the Lacroute Composer Readings and Chamber Music Mentorship Program. The free event starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 in Delkin Recital Hall within the Vivian Bull Music Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Save your seat at https://events.linfield.edu/musicevents.
Dec. 4: Theatre and Communication Arts Senior Scholarly Presentations
Seniors within Department of Theatre and Communication Arts will present their senior scholarly papers at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 in the Forensics Lab T104 in Ford Hall. The public is invited to hear from these students:
- Joshua Calo, a communication arts major from Beaverton
- Joseph Higuchi, a communication arts major from Kaneohe, Hawaii
- Blaze Holani, a communication arts major from Kaneohe, Hawaii
- Riona Kiyouse, an intercultural communication major from Asakura, Japan
- Bubba Preston, a communication arts major from Kaneohe, Hawaii
Dec. 5-6: Linfield Theatre presents “The Dining Room”
Linfield Theatre ends 2025 with A.R. Gurney’s “The Dining Room” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5-6 on the Marshall Theatre stage in Ford Hall. These performances will be a true showcase of Linfield student talent. Directing students will be directing acting students throughout this this multi-scene play about the dining room through the ages. Tickets go on sale Nov. 21 at www.linfield.edu/arts.
Dec. 5: Annual Teddy Bear Toss at Women’s Basketball
Phi Sigma Sigma’s annual Teddy Bear Toss is happening at halftime of the Linfield women’s basketball game on Dec. 5! Tipoff is at 5 p.m. against UW-Oshkosh in Ted Wilson Gymnasium. Bring a new or gently used stuffed animal and join the fun as we toss them onto the court. All stuffed animals and monetary donations will go to Juliette’s House, McMinnville’s child abuse intervention center, helping support children and families in need. General admission tickets to women’s basketball games range from $5-10. Kids under 6 are free.
Dec. 7: Mele Kalikimaka at Linfield
Join Hui O Lōkahi for Linfield’s Mele Kalikimaka celebration! Experience the warmth of Hawaiian holiday traditions with festive music, food, and aloha spirit as we gather to celebrate the season together. Performances are held at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 in Ford Hall. Tickets range from $10-15 and are available online at https://events.linfield.edu/studentevents.
See more Linfield events at linfield.edu/calendar.html or view the comprehensive athletic schedule of events at golinfieldwildcats.com/calendar.
