Artist John Bissonette says his work registers an emotional connection to pop culture. We say this: It springs, jumbles and bounces on your visual radar like a yippee parade of wowza mad shape and color woo-hoo. “Closeout” is on exhibit through Feb. 16 at Kleven Contemporary inside Emergency Arts. Info: klevencontemporary.tumblr.com
Next time you’re tempted to whine about having writer’s block, consider the real writing blocks that Nobel laureate, playwright, poet and novelist Wole Soyinka overcame: threats, arrest, prison and exile. He’ll discuss the responsibilities — and the hazards — of the writing life 7p Feb. 12 at UNLV’s Student Union Theatre. Free. Info: blackmountaininstitute.org
Check out the topics that Left of Center’s latest exhibit, “Looking the Other Way,” tackles: tolerance, multiculturalism, hunger, homelessness, justice, health care and the environment. All I gotta say is: LEFT OF CENTER GALLERY FOR PRESIDENT! “Looking the Other Way” is on exhibit through March 2 at Left of Center Art Gallery and Studio. Info: leftofcenterart.org
Before The Chieftains came along to popularize traditional Irish music around the globe, the only way to hear it was either by going to Ireland itself or, alternately, licking a leprechaun for its mythically hallucination-inducing sweat. Seriously, try it. Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains perform 7:30p Feb. 18 at Reynolds Hall in The Smith Center. $29-$89. Info: thesmithcenter.com