How to describe Nobuhiko Obayahshi’s 1977 movie House? A psychedelic ghost tale? A stream-of-consciousness bedtime story? An episode of Scooby Doo as directed by Dario Argento? Any of the above will do for this hallucinatory head-trip about a schoolgirl who travels with six classmates to her ailing aunt’s creaky country home, only to come face to face with evil spirits, bloodthirsty pianos, and a demonic housecat. Too absurd to be genuinely terrifying, yet too nightmarish to be merely comic, House seems like it was beamed to Earth from another planet. Or perhaps the mind of a child: The script was inspired by the eccentric musings of the director’s 11-year-old daughter. He then employed all the tricks in his (non-digital) arsenal–mattes, animation, and collage–to make them a visually astonishing, raucous reality. Never before released in the United States, and a bona fide cult classic in the making, House is one of the most exciting genre discoveries in years. In Japanese with English subtitles. Admission is $6 for all University of Miami faculty, staff, and alumni; free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday, January 22 at 9 p.m.; Saturday, January 23 at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.; and Sunday, January 24 at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

With Falstaff, Verdi bid a magnificent farewell to opera. He chose, however, a genre that he wasn’t familiar with: the comic opera. His librettist, Boito, gave Verdi a text, adapted from a Shakespeare play that allowed him to express all his skills and power, giving the musicians roles as important as the characters. Verdi brought something new to opera at a time when his prior works had already become classics. This last Verdi opera was first played in front of an enthusiastic Milanese public and ended Verdi’s work on an happy note. To interpret the title role, Ruggero Raimondi, this masterful actor and exceptional artist with a powerful and colorful voice, comes back to Liège for the inauguration of the Royal Opera House. Paolo Arrivabeni conducts this phenomenal production. Filmed at the Opera Royal de Wallonie in Liege Belgium in crystal clear High Definition and presented in stunning 5.1 surround sound. Admission is $18 for all University of Miami faculty, staff, and alumni; free for students. General admission is $20. The film screens on Saturday, January 23 and Sunday, January 24 at 12:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

Researching his next book, author Colin Beavan began the No Impact Project in November 2006. A newly committed environmentalist who could no longer avoid pointing the finger at himself, Beavan left behind his liberal complacency for a vow to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year. No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption–all while living in New York City.  No problem–that is, until his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife, Michelle Conlin, and their 2-year-old daughter were dragged into the fray. Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein’s film provides a front-row seat into the familial strains and strengthened bonds resulting from Colin and Michelle’s struggle with this radical lifestyle change. Admission is $6 for all University of Miami faculty, staff, and alumni; free for students. General admission is $8. The film screens on Friday, January 22 at 7 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.; Saturday, January 23 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, January 24 at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.cosfordcinema.com.

The Miami Civic Music Association will present pianist Tian Ying on Sunday, January 24 at 4 p.m. at Gusman Concert Hall on the Coral Gables campus. Ying, an internationally acclaimed concert artist who is currently chair of the Department of Keyboard Performance at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, will perform works by Chopin and Mussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition.

The Miami Civic Music Association is offering discounted tickets to all UM faculty and staff. Tickets for UM employees are $20 with a ’Cane Card and will be on sale at the Gusman Hall box office beginning at 3 p.m. on January 24. Only cash and checks are accepted at the box office. Student tickets are $10.

For tickets and additional information, visit www.miamicivicmusic.org, or call 305-271-8449.