Don’t miss these upcoming arts events at Idaho State University. The community is always welcome.

The Department of Art will be showcasing faculty artwork in the John B. Davis Gallery from Oct. 3 to Oct. 18. The Gallery is open Monday-Friday from noon to 6 p.m.

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the contemporary, musical comedy “First Date” on Oct. 4, 5 and 6 in the Stephens Performing Arts Center Black Box. “First Date” pairs two strangers from vastly different backgrounds for that horror everyone has experienced, the dreaded first date.

However, according to the play’s director Joel Shura, there is something brewing between the two. The strangers think they know what they want in a relationship, but it’s not exactly what they need.

Their date turns into a hilarious dinner with first impressions, Google checks, “emergency” bailout calls, bad boy and uptown girl exes and throughout, the brewing of a real chemistry. Tickets are available at isu.edu/tickets or (208) 282-3595.

The ISU Symphonic Band will be performing important works by composers who have written for band on Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Stephens Performing Arts Center Jensen Grand Concert Hall.

The works will include “Folk Song” Suite by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “Irish Tune from County Derry” and “Shepherd’s Hey” by Percy Grainger, “Chorale and Shaker Dance” by John Zdechlik and the chorale “Come Sweet Death” by Johann Sebastian Bach. Brandon Van Orden, music student and clarinetist at ISU, will be the featured soloist.

He will be performing “Introduction, Theme and Variations” by Gioacchino Rossini, arranged for band by Ralph Herman. The Symphonic Band will be sharing the concert with the ISU Civic Concert Band conducted by Erin Armstrong, and the New Horizons Concert band, conducted by Casey Emerson. The Symphonic Band is conducted by Pat Brooks. Tickets are available at the door.

ISU Jazz will present “New Orleans and other Joyful Tunes” on October 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Stephens Performing Arts Center Jensen Grand Concert Hall. The concert will feature the Chamber Jazz Ensemble and the Big Band. Tickets are available at the door.

Donna Lybecker, Department of Political Science professor and chair, will present the lecture “Are People Willing to Pay or Willing to do? Sustainability in Ireland and the U.S.” at Phi Kappa Phi’s fall lecture on October 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the SUB’s Wood River Room.

ISU’s new faculty writers Mari Christmas and J. Reuben Appelman will read from their creative works in a Welcome-to-ISU Reading hosted by ISU’s Department of English and Philosophy on October 18.

The event will take place at 5:30 p.m. in the Portneuf Valley Brewery (615 S. 1st Ave). Light appetizers and a no-host bar will be available beginning at 5 p.m.

Contact Melissa Lee at (208) 282-1404 or leemeli@isu.edu for more information about the events.