Brandenburg vision Winona, Minn.

National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg shares his photos and more at 7:30 p.m. Thursday during the Lyceum Series, "A Life Behind the Lens" at Winona State University's Somsen Hall Auditorium. Brandenburg, who has captured images from around the world, lives in Ely, Minn. He will highlight many of his award-winning photos, films and books, and discuss his continued efforts to support the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation and Touch the Sky Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge in western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. The event is free (1-507-457-2842 or 1-800-342-5978).

Irish all week New London, Wis.

Experience Irish tradition and fun during the 24th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Fest in New London, Wis. Irish festivities kick off Monday with Hooligan Day, when locals and visitors gather at sites around town for live entertainment and ethnic food. A dance, Irish humor (such as Finnegan's wake) and other activities continue through Friday. On Saturday, the grand parade, featuring more than 100 units, begins at 1 p.m. downtown and Irishfest runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with more music, food and fun. (1-920-982-3891; www.newdublin.com).

Volatile world on exhibit Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The exhibit "1968: Twelve Volatile Months That Changed the World" is on display at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The exhibit focuses on the 40th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia through photographs, video clips from documentaries, newspapers clippings, propaganda posters, socialist realism art and other images and artifacts. It continues through Jan. 25, 2009. The exhibit also includes photographs and other images of historic events that shocked the world, including the assassinations of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy and Vietnam War protests (1-319-362-8500; www.ncsml.org).