Late 19th-century Iran was a cultural crossroads at which traditional Iranian society was encountering Western technologies and influences. Capturing it was Armenian-Iranian photographer Antoin Sevruguin (ca 1851-1933). Tasha Vorderstrasse, the curator of the exhibit “Antoin Sevruguin: Past and Present” at the University of Chicago will provide a slide lecture on the photographer’s work and legacy.

Are Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies the first wave of a cashless future–or just an overhyped technology? One thing is certain: there’s a lot of money riding on their success. Tech guru Michael Gershbein will discuss the blockchain technology behind these decentralized digital currencies as well as online currency exchanges, digital wallets, and the challenges and opportunities facing these currencies.

Lights up! After 18 months away, the lights are coming up at WT. Join interim artistic director Bobby Kennedy and two of the key artists on WT’s current production, “Dishwasher Dreams”: Bengali-American comedian Alaudin Ullah, the writer and star of the play, and renowned tabla player Avirodh Sharma, who will introduce the classical Indian drum and discuss his role as the play’s composer.