'Southern Goes Hollywood' is Homecoming theme

The excitement of Saluki football, the sights and sounds of the parade and a slate of events for every taste make up the ingredients for a spectacular, upcoming Homecoming celebration this week at SIUC.

On campus, students got an early start Tuesday as they voted for the Homecoming king and queen. The royal couple will be crowned at halftime of Saturday's football game between the Salukis and Missouri State (formerly Southwest Missouri State)

Grand marshal for the 2005 Homecoming parade is Liz Ralson, a 1986 SIUC graduate in cinema and photography who is a freelance artist and Academy Award winner in the Hollywood film industry's visual effects business. Ralson is currently visual effects producer on her second film for HBO, now in production.

Events scheduled for Homecoming week include:

Wednesday, Sept. 28

• Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theatre, Communications Building. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $6 for students. For tickets, call the McLeod Theater box office at 618/453-3001.

Thursday, Sept. 29

• Movie, "Bewitched," 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium.
• Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theatre, Communications Building. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $6 for students. For tickets, call the McLeod Theater box office at 618/453-3001.

Friday, Sept. 30

• Saluki Block Party, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Free Forum Area. Free food, local bands and games.
• Distinguished Alumni Recognition Reception, 2:30 p.m., Student Recreation Center Alumni Lounge.
• Reception for "A Diva Triumphs," 4-7 p.m., University Museum, Faner Hall. Opening of an exhibit of opera singer Marjorie Lawrence's wonderful gowns and accessories. For information: 618/453-5388.
• Movie, "Bewitched," 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.,. Student Center Auditorium.
• Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theatre, Communications Building. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $6 for students. For tickets, call the McLeod Theater box office at 618/ 453-3001.
• Dental professional seminar, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., SIUC Student Center. Sessions will focus on oral health for seniors and pediatric patients. Conference fee is $85 for general admission, $35 for SIUC student and 2005 graduates. For more information or to register, contact the Division of Continuing Education at 618/536-7751. Registration is also available online at Division of Continuing Education.

Saturday, Oct. 1

• Homecoming parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown Carbondale. The parade, featuring about 100 units and 20 marching bands, will step off at the corner of Mill Street and University Avenue, proceed north on University to Cherry Street and then south on Illinois Avenue to McAndrew Stadium.
• Fund-raising golf scramble, 7:45 a.m., Union County Country Club. 403 E. Jefferson, Anna. The first Paralegal Studies 18-hole golf scramble will begin at 7:45 a.m. for check-in and a shotgun start at 8: 15 a.m. Lunch follows the scramble. Entry fees are $50 per person or $200 for a four-person team. Proceeds will benefit student scholarships and activities. To reserve a spot, call the Paralegal Studies program at 618/453-1234.
• SIU Alumni Association Big Tent and Tailgate, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., east side of McAndrew Stadium. Register at the tent to enjoy a complimentary lunch. For additional information regarding the tailgate call 618/453-2408 or email the Alumni Association.
• Dedication and ribbon cutting for the Troutt-Wittmann Academic and Training Center, adjacent to Lingle Hall, 11:30 a.m.
• Homecoming football game, Salukis vs. Missouri State, 1:30 p.m., McAndrew Stadium. Homecoming royalty coronation at halftime.
• Women's volleyball, vs. Indiana State, 7 p.m., Davies Gym.
• Film, "Saving Face," 7 p.m., University Place 8 theater, 1370 Main St. A film by Alice Wu, "Saving Face" is a romantic comedy about a daughter struggling to understand her mother's heart, which ultimately allows her to understand her own. This is the story of unspoken loves, contemporary and cultural taboos, and the journey of two women towards living their lives honestly. As a bonus to the film and a kickoff to GLBT History Month, Michele Schreiber, visiting instructor in the SIUC Department of Cinema and Photography, will offer poignant insights in a live commentary titled "Saving Face: An Alternative Romance Narrative?" Admission is $6.50. For more information contact Carl Ervin at 618/453-5714.
• Movie, "Bewitched," 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Student Center Auditorium.
• Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," 7:30 p.m., McLeod Theatre, Communications Building. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $6 for students. For tickets, call the McLeod Theater box office at 618/ 453-3001.
• 34th annual Miss Eboness Pageant, 7 p.m., Shryock Auditorium. To order tickets, call 618/453-3493.
• The Chicago Chamber Musicians, 7:30 p.m., Old Baptist Foundation Recital Hall. Violin, French horn and piano by three of Chicago's top musicians. Admission is $3 general public, $2 for students.

Sunday, Oct. 2

• Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," 2 p.m., McLeod Theatre, Communications Building. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $6 for students. For tickets, call the McLeod Theater box office at 618/ 453-3001.

All Weekend:

There are specials at the Student Center Bowling and Billiards, the Student Recreation Center, the University Bookstore and the University Museum.