The Nicolet College Creative Arts Series will feature six free events in coming weeks with topics ranging from Ojibwe storytelling, computer tablets and a travelogue to the Netherlands, to a fascinating documentary about the disappearing night sky and a community concert featuring local musicians. Details about each event are as follows:

Whispers of the Ancients – Ojibwe Art & Story: Learning Resources Center, Nicolet College Art Gallery, through Sunday, Feb. 17.

Vibrant aboriginal artwork by Moses (Amik) Beaver and provocative stories by Tamarack Song reimagine traditional legends from around the world. Monsters, heroes and shapeshifters transport people back to a time when elders told stories to spellbound listeners around the glowing fire. Beginning Jan. 23, art gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The City Dark: Learning Resources Center, Nicolet College Theatre, Monday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m.

“Do we need the dark?” asks filmmaker Ian Cheney, who grew up in rural Maine under star-filled skies and then moved to light-polluted Brooklyn. Cheney’s film documents the disappearing night sky across the globe and explores its effects on people and wildlife. He looks at the astronomers’ search in Hawaii for killer asteroids, disoriented hatching turtles along the Florida coast, injured birds on Chicago streets, increased breast cancer rates from night light exposure and kids growing up without a glimpse of the universe above. Stunning astrophotography and a cast of scientists, philosophers, historians and lighting designers comprise this award-winning documentary.

Now That I Have an eReader or Tablet ….: Learning Resources Center, Room 205, Tuesday, Feb. 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Bring an eReader or tablet and learn how to download free books and interesting apps for games, social networking, business, education and for nurturing your creative projects. The focus is on Kindles, Nooks and iPads. Those attending will learn something new and be able to share what they already know with others
Internet Searching Tips & Tricks: Thursday, Learning Resources Center, Room 205, Feb. 7, 2013, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 5 p.m., Lakeland Center, Minocqua.

In this informal session, participants will learn how to improve their search results on the Internet. Which of the many search engines are the best? How can people get the most out of them? Those attending will also visit free online Ask sites and learn which are trustworthy and which should be avoided.

Discovering the Dutch with Sandy Mortimer: Learning Resources Center, Nicolet College Theatre, Monday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m.

Explore out-of-the-way corners of the Netherlands in the lowlands of northwestern Europe with video journalist and travel documentary filmmaker Sandy Mortimer. On this journey to nine of the 12 provinces in the Netherlands, those attending will learn about a remarkable people whose rich history and culture has been shaped by a unique below-sea-level topography. Participants will visit some of the more familiar coastal cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam and take meandering trips to the interior to discover how each province celebrates its own stories, myths and customs in this small but surprisingly complex country. Mortimer introduces and narrates her film.

Community Music Festival: Learning Resources Center, Nicolet College Theatre, Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m.

The Northwoods is rich in musical talent and those attending will get a sampling of its range and energy in one dynamic evening of performance by five local music groups: the Rhinelander Area Community Band, Nicolet Male Chorus, Nicolet Choraliers, Hymns and Hyrs and the Lakeland Barbershoppers. Each group will take the stage to perform the highlights of its season’s repertoire.