RELATED EVENTS

• Twelve Angry Men

Alina Pogostkina will perform Sibelius, Prokofiev and more March 27-29 at Hilbert Circle Theatre. (Submitted photo)

Poet Lee Upton comes to the University of Indianapolis March 27. (Submitted photo)

Poet and translator Valzhyna Mort will speak at Butler University March 27. (Submitted photo)

1. Pogostkina's Prokofiev

11 a.m. March 27, 8 p.m. March 28, 5:30 p.m. March 29, $16-$52, Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle, (317) 639-4300.

Born in Russia to violinist parents, Alina Pogostkina began playing the violin at age 4. When her family moved to Germany in 1992, the then 8-year-old Pogostkina often accompanied her parents as they performed for money on the streets. Things have gotten much better for Pogostkina since then. She has won several violin competitions and prizes, including first prize at the Ninth International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition. For this performance, Pogostkina will perform Sibelius' Symphony No. 2, Carl Nielsen's "Helios" Overture and, as the title suggests, Violin Concerto No. 1 by Sergei Prokofiev.

2. Lee Upton

7:30 p.m., March 27, free, 2:30 p.m. University of Indianapolis, Esch Hall, Studio Theatre, 1400 Hanna Ave., (317) 788-2183.

Oft-anthologized poet Lee Upton visits the University of Indianapolis this week for the latest installment of its Kellogg Writers Series. In addition to poetry, Upton has published literary criticism, including "The Muse of Abandonment." In her most recent book of poetry, "Undid in the Land of Undone," Upton explores historical and contemporary scenes in a voice that vacillates between deeply serious and gently playful, never lacking for startling insight.

3. Valzhyna Mort

7:30 p.m. March 27, free, Clowes Memorial Hall Krannert Room, 4602 Sunset Ave., (317) 940-9861.

The Cuirt International Festival of Literature enthuses that young Belarus-born poet Valzhyna Mort is "a risen star of the international poetry world. Her poems have something of the incantatory quality of poets such as Dylan Thomas or Allen Ginsberg." High praise for a 26-year-old, but Mort has earned it. Not only a poet but also an accomplished translator, Mort's American debut, "Factory of Tears," arrives this spring.

4. Joyful Gathering at Mount Huang

7:30 March 27, free, DeHaan Fine Arts Center, Ruth Lilly Performance Hall, 1400 E. Hannah Ave., (317) 788-2183.

As China becomes an increasingly important global player, interest in its culture is on the rise. This event, described as an occasion where "music, art and prose from diverse cultures" will be on display, is a great opportunity for exposure to the incredibly multifaceted culture of the world's most populous country. Dr. Sesin Jong will lecture on Chinese landscape painting, members of the Indianapolis Opera Ensemble will perform "evocative" music, and Hulling Chen Lan will chant selections from the Chinese opera.

5. Twelve Angry Men

7:30 April 1-3, 8 p.m. April 4-5, 2 p.m. April 5, 1 p.m. April 6, $22-$59, Murat Theatre, 502 N. New Jersey St., (317) 231-0000, www.livenation.com.

Twelve is the magic number in this classic stage production. One of the most famous courtroom dramas of all time, the plot focuses on a jury faced with the unpalatable prospect of sending a defendant to his death. The truth, though, is always more complicated than it seems at first glance, and the 12 men soon find out more about themselves -- and each other -- than they bargained for. John Thomas, perhaps best remembered as John-Boy from "The Waltons," stars.