Startup Weekend recruits a highly motivated group of developers, business managers, startup enthusiasts, marketing gurus, graphic artists, and more to a 54-hour event that builds communities, companies, and projects. Founded in 2007 by Andrew Hyde, the weekend is a concept of a conference focusing on learning by creating. It is known for its quick decisions, “out of the box” thinking, unique facilitation technique, and letting the founders show what they can do.

Startup Weekend offers an opportunity to get your hands dirty starting your very own company. Participants decide what they want to tackle over the weekend and leave with several developed companies or projects. Attendees are responsible for bringing the same desire and passion to the project. Experts will be on hand to help with development, legal, tax, intellectual property, and anything participants may need to get their ideas off the ground.

The event begins on Friday, June 5 at 6 p.m. and ends on Sunday, June 7 at 8 p.m. It is open to the public but registration is required. It will be held at the University Center on UM’s Coral Gables campus; $40 for open registration, $20 for students, members of The Launch Pad, Refresh Miami, and Brikolodge. For more information, visit www.TheLaunchPad.org and www.startupweekend.com, or call 305-284-2789.

The InterAmerican Institute for Democracy, in cooperation with the Miami-Florida European Union Center of Excellence, a partnership of Florida International University and the Jean Monnet Chair of the University of Miami, hosts a breakfast, briefing, and book presentation, “The Reform of the European Union and the Elections to the EU Parliament,” on Friday, June 5 at 8:30 a.m. at the Bankers Club, board room, One Biscayne Tower, 12th floor. The book presentation will be on Lisbon Fado: The European Union under Reform, co-edited by Joaquín Roy, Jean Monnet Professor at UM, and Roberto Domínguez, Suffolk University, Boston. For more information and reservations, e-mail Carla Tessman, of the InterAmerican Institute for Democracy, at [email protected] or call 561-297-3211.

The One World International Printmaking Biennial opens at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Gallery on Friday, June 5, with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Initially, it was shown in Beijing at the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games. For more information about the biennial, including images, click here.

The Ibis Theatre Project presents The Motherline by Chantal Bilodeau. Directed by Jennifer Vellenga, a faculty member in the University of Miami’s Department of Theatre Arts, The Motherline is a lesson in the roots of love. Claire, an unborn soul, has chosen her mother, but her mother isn’t getting pregnant anytime soon. Will exchanging lives with her mother’s Buddhist cat get Claire close enough to win the love she desires? Performances will be held at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre on Friday, June 5 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, June 6 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door (cash or check), and all proceeds go toward moving the production to the New York City Fringe Festival this summer. For more information, visit www.ibistheatreproject.org.

Spring has returned and nature beckons discovery and exploration—even in art form. The annual two-part UM Student/Master of Fine Arts Exhibitions are viewable at the Lowe Art Museum. Also on view: UM’s Faculty Exhibition, featuring Carsten Meier’s Naturell. A preview and reception for the juried student exhibition and Naturell will be held Friday, April 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. The evening will be highlighted with a special lecture by Meier. A preview reception for the MFA exhibition, on view from May 14-June 14, will be held Wednesday, May 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. Both receptions are free and open to the public. Regular admission to the Lowe (not including special events) is $10; $5 for seniors and non-UM students; and free for Lowe Art Museum members, UM students, faculty and staff, and children under 12 years of age. For more information, call 305-284-3535 or visit www.lowemuseum.org.