RELATED EVENTS

• Butler Ballet: Great Choreographers

Colin Powell (AP Photo)

"The Piano Lesson" playwright August Wilson. (Submitted photo)

The dancers of "African Footprint." (Submitted photo)

1. Colin Powell

7 30 p.m. Feb. 18, free (ticket required), Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., (317) 940-6444, www.cloweshall.org.

Colin Powell served as secretary of state under George W. Bush, national security adviser to Ronald Reagan and as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993. The retired general will visit Clowes Hall at Butler University this week to deliver a speech titled "Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values." Powell's appearance, which will mark the 20th anniversary of Butler's Celebration of Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series, comes at a time when the principles he'll discuss should be of particular interest to those following the presidential primaries.

2. 'The Piano Lesson'

Various times, Feb. 20 through March 15, $24-$49, Indiana Repertory Theatre Main Stage, 140 W. Washington St., (317) 635-5252, www.irtlive.com.

August Wilson arguably depicted the 20th-century black American experience more fully and with more wisdom than any other playwright. "The Piano Lesson," from his "Pittsburgh Cycle" of 10 plays set in Pittsburgh's Hill District, explores the struggle between a brother and sister who can't agree on what to do with an old piano etched with memories of the family's ascent from slavery. Wilson, as always, reveals their struggle with blazing honesty and insight.

3. 'African Footprint'

7 p.m. Feb. 14-15, $35-$80, Madame Walker Theatre, 617 Indiana Ave., (317) 236-2099, www.walkertheatre.com.

The historic Walker Theatre should be a terrific venue for "African Footprint," South Africa's long-running stage show that combines Afro- and Euro-centric music and dance to tell the story of South Africa's sometimes turbulent and always vibrant history. With a cast of 30 performers armed with electrifying physical talent, "African Footprint" "is to South Africa what 'Riverdance' is to the Irish and 'Stomp' is to the Brits," according to www.iafrica.com.

4. Faculty Artist Series: Opera Night

7:30 p.m. Feb. 18, free, Ruth Lilly Performance Hall, 1400 E. Hanna Ave., (317) 788-2135, ww.arts.uindy.edu.

For this week's installment of the University of Indianapolis' Faculty Artist Series, eight performers -- two sopranos, one mezzo-soprano, a countertenor, a baritone, bass-baritone, a pianist and a narrator -- will remind attendees why opera is still considered among the most beautiful of all art forms. "A diva in delight, a count in corruption, a tenor in tumult, a mezzo in misery: what could be more enticing?!" enthuses the University's Web site, and we're hard-pressed for an answer.

5. Butler Ballet Midwinter Dance Festival: Great Choreographers

8 p.m. Feb. 15-16, $17-$28.50, Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., (317) 940-6444, www.cloweshall.org.

Fans of ballet won't want to miss this performance by Butler University's Stars of Tomorrow. The night's program features a commissioned work by Paul Taylor, as well as a collection of new works by resident choreographers. Taylor, who founded the New York City-based Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1954, is widely regarded as one of the most important American choreographers of the 20th century.