Campus calendar

When Harry meets Wellesley Harry Belafonte has a permanent place in the cultural canon as a multi-talented entertainer, and his work as a social activist runs just as deep. Belafonte was a member of the executive board of Martin Luther King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference, served as the cultural adviser to the Peace Corps, established the Belafonte Foundation to support African students studying in the United States, and counts the Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Prize and the Nelson Mandela Courage Award among his honors. He will give a lecture titled "Social Justice: Within and Beyond Our Borders" at Wellesley on Tuesday. 7 p.m. Free. Wellesley College, Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Tishman Commons, Wellesley. 781-283-2901.

"The Life" This Tony-award-winning musical transports audiences to the seedy underbelly of Times Square and 42nd Street. But just beneath the tales of pimps, prostitution, and porn lies a redemptive story with a kicking soundtrack. Jacqui Parker makes her Boston Conservatory directorial debut. Fair warning: "The Life" contains nudity and adult language. Wed-Sat 8 p.m.; Sat-Sun 2 p.m. $20, $10, seniors; $5, students. The Boston Conservatory Mainstage Theater, 31 Hemenway St. 617-912-9222. boston.conservatory.edu

"Happier" discussion "There are many external and internal barriers to the good life that cannot be overcome by reading a book," Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD, writes in "Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment." "However, a better understanding of the nature of happiness and, more important, applying certain ideas can help most people in most situations become happier." The book is based on the principles Ben-Shahar covers in his Harvard University positive psychology class. Basically, the idea is simple: Happiness is working toward goals that honor your authentic life vision. Ben-Shahar discusses his book Friday at the Harvard Coop. 7 p.m. Free. Harvard Coop, 1400 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-499-2000. harvard.bkstore.com

"The Canvasation Project" Ten artists collaborate on 12 paintings while their creative process is filmed. The multimedia exhibit includes the collective paintings and a video installation of the documentary by "Film Our Way Films." The exhibit will also showcase individual work by the collaborative artists, including Montserrat College of Art professors Barbara Moody, Rose Olson, and Judith Brassard Brown. Fri, reception 6-9 p.m. Free. Gallery XIV Boston, 37 Thayer St. 617-482-1414. galleryXIV.com

Hip Hop and Politics I know, I know. Here we are highlighting a political event the day after an influential primary, and we can't comment on the results because the column was due before the polls had even closed. It's, like, totally killing us. But you can dish politics at Northeastern University on Tuesday when "Rap Sessions: Community Dialogues on Hip-Hop" launches its third national tour at Northeastern University. This year, the topic is all things '08. What stake does the youth have in the election? What role with they play? Panelists include Jeff Johnson, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore, Rosa Alicia Clemente, and Billy Wimsatt, co-founder of the League of Young Voters. 6:30 p.m. Free. Northeastern University, Amilcar Cabral Center, African American Institute, 40 Leon St. 617-373-3143. rapsessions.org

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