"Galileo's Muse" is a 60 minute program about human creativity that communicates the power of deep insight and perception. It tells the story of a remarkable kind of creative problem solving -- that one of history's most famous scientists turned to music to help solve the mystery of how objects fall. With music from late Renaissance Italy (including several beautiful but rarely heard lute duets composed by Galileo's father and brother) performed live, along with a captivating story and live demonstration of Galileo's 1604 experiment of the Inclined Plane, this program draws its audience into the creative process -- revealing in words, sights and sounds how insight often emerges from where we least expect it.

The second half of the evening will consist of an open discussion about science and creativity moderated by astronaut Dr. Don Pettit. Pettit's first space mission was as a mission specialist on ISS Expedition 6 in 2002 and 2003. During his six-month stay aboard the space station, he performed two EVAs to help install external scientific equipment. During free time on his stay aboard the International Space Station, he conducted demonstrations showing how fluids react in an extremely-low gravity environment in a series he called "Saturday Morning Science."

This free performance is open to the public and will take place at Duncan Recital Hall, Shepherd School of Music Building.

Seating is limited and on a first-come first-served basis. For more information, please visit http://www.divasworld.org