After reclaiming sole possession of first place in the University Athletic Association with a win over the University of Rochester Friday, Jan. 27, the Washington University men’s basketball team upset No. 4 Emory University to remain atop the conference standings.

Although the fireworks took place earlier in the week, a profusion of dance numbers, sparkles and costumes set the crowd of the 16th annual Lunar New Year Festival (LNYF) ablaze with excitement. When the lights dimmed in Edison Theater on Friday and Saturday evenings, students were treated to a three-hour-long sample of both traditional and modern Asian dances.

Professor Evil feared children were becoming dancers instead of doctors in the cultural show’s skit this year, but that didn’t stop students from dancing and acting for charity on the Edison Theatre stage this weekend. Students in the nearly three-hour show performed traditional garba, raas and bhangra dances, as well as Bollywood fusion and hip hop.

Students lined up more than two hours before doors even opened in order to vie for the best seats for Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s hitRECord event at Graham Chapel. Gordon-Levitt, a long-time indie actor, achieved fame through more mainstream Hollywood movies such as “10 Things I Hate About You,” “(500) Days of Summer,” “Inception” and his latest release, “50/50.

Washington University held a memorial last week to honor the centennial anniversary of playwright Tennessee Williams, one of the University’s celebrated former students. Williams, playwright of works such as “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “The Glass Menagerie,” attended Washington University for one year.

Sequined vests. Glitter tulle. The occasional top hat. For the small crowd assembled at the Forest Park Metro Station last Friday night, outlandish formal wear was standard dress. As curious bystanders looked on, the Fourth Annual MetroLink Prom (MetroProm) was just getting underway. Scene braved the crazy train all the way down the blue line to experience this St. Louis original.

When Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth asked community members at a memorial for the late Dean James Earl McLeod to stand if he had helped them become better people, every seat covering the Washington University Field House floor was emptied.

Crowds of students and community members filled Edison Theatre Friday and Saturday nights for Carnaval, a cultural dance performance, put on by the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS).

Carnaval, which is organized annually, showcases cultural dances and features a skit that deals with common social issues.

Matt & Kim perform their indie jams and entertained the crowd on the Swamp while students enjoy the warm weather. The performance was the highlight of South 40 Week, which is hosted by the Congress of the South 40.

Judith Ohikuare follows the 10 poets who participated in the 2011 Grand Slam as they prepare for and perform at the event.