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One of the highlights of being a Columbian is that we have the greatest cultural resource at our fingertips: New York City. Yet how many of us have even dared to venture past the campus gates? (No, Starbucks doesn't count). You know who you are, and CUarts is looking for you. The "Lunch with the Arts Initiative" is a series of brown bag lunches (with free drinks and dessert) sponsored by CUarts that focuses on topics relevant to students' involvement in arts and culture. According to Executive Director of the Arts Initiative Melissa Smey, CUarts wants a place where students can voice their opinions. She wants to know what you want, what CUarts means to you, and how it can better connect you with arts and culture. Check out some notable lunches after the jump. more

It's getting to be that time of year---when other schools are already home enjoying holiday festivities, and you're stuck in Butler listening to Pandora Christmas stations on repeat, counting the hours until you too can partake in the holiday cheer. But why not take a study break with some Christmas music of a different kind? Tonight, Miller Theatre presents renowned choral group The Tallis Scholars, performing Songs of Mary: A Christmas Celebration at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin (located at 145 W. 46th Street between 6th and 7th avenues). The program will include four different settings of the Magnificat (songs dedicated to Mary), along with other pieces based on favorite Christmas texts. Almost all of the songs are written by modern composers, including Arvo Part and Benjamin Britten. more According to Tallis Scholars Founder Peter Phillips, the group is "modern, but in a world of their own, which is not too far from the world of the renaissance masters who surround them." Tickets are $40 for the general public but only $7 for Columbia students. Student tickets can be purchased here. We think this is probably better than listening to "Frosty the Snowman" one more time.

Fans of strong women in film rejoice! The Athena Film Festival has announced its lineup for this year's exhibition, which runs from Feb. 7-10 in various campus lecture halls and event spaces. Featuring documentaries, short films, and even well-known feature films, like this year's indie sleeper Beasts of the Southern Wild and Pixar's Brave, there's sure to be a lot of variety. An all-access pass costs $65, and individual screenings cost $12. Tickets are available at the TIC, or online by clicking the links. The festival is also seeking volunteer staff to act as greeters, ushers, and general staff. A full list of the films being featured can be found after the jump. Dates, locations, and descriptions can be found on the festival's website.more Feature films and documentaries Band of Sisters Beasts of the Southern Wild Birth Story: Ina Gaskin and The Farm Midwives Brave Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel Fast Girls Future Weather Ginger and Rosa The Girl Granny's Got Game Hannah Arendt (Sneak Preview) Inocente I Stand Corrected La Rafle Middle of Nowhere Putin's Kiss Violeta Went to Heaven Women Aren't Funny Short films Program 1: Free Kick, Jasad and the Queen of Contradictions, Stella is 95, Who is Pauline Park Program 2: 55 Socks, ABC, Devout, Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend, In a Heartbeat Program 3: Hilary's Straws, Georgena Terry, Our Rhineland, Prizefighter, Self Portrait of Sylvia Plachy, She Who Excels in Solitude