Coming events

The impact of racial and gay comedy in American is discussed in "Racial & Gay Comedy: The Impacts?" at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3, in the Student Center's Ohio Room. Admission is free. The event sponsors are Latino Heritage Month and GLBT History Month.

The Global Media Research Center sponsors a lecture by filmmaker and professor Virginia Keller at 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, in Browne Auditorium, Parkinson Hall, room 124. Keller presents a screening of her current film project, "Stories from the Living Stones: A Documentary Film on Nonviolent Civil Resistance in Palestine." The event is free, and open to the public.

NASA astronaut and SIUC alumnus Joan E. Higginbotham — the first Saluki in space — presents a lecture at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, in the SIU Arena. Higginbotham operated the robotic arm and coordinated cargo transfers between the Space Shuttle Discovery and the International Space Station during the space shuttle's 13-day mission in December. Higginbotham, a 1987 SIUC graduate in electrical engineering, is serving as Homecoming Parade grand marshal.

Acclaimed fiddler Natalie MacMaster showcases her talents at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $35, $25, and $15. SIUC students and children under 12 each receive a $5 discount. Tickets may also ordered through Ticketmaster at 866/646-8849, at any Ticketmaster outlet, or in person SIU Arena ticket office or the Student Center central ticket office.

Neil Simon's award-winning comedy, "Biloxi Blues," performs at McLeod Theater at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 6. A matinee is also scheduled for 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens, and $6 for students. Box office hours are noon to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and one hour before each performance. For ticket reservations, call the McLeod Theater box office at 618/453-3001.

Performer-authored works by students and faculty take to the Kleinau Theatre stage for performances, Thursday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 6. "Ichor and the Four Humours Present: Percy Per Se Himself Presenting: Fopulous! Or All is Vanity (A Tragicomedy of Manners in Five Acts with Narrated Interludes and Dancing)," is written and directed by graduate student Bennett Whitaker. All performances begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5; $3 for students. Reserve tickets by calling 618/453-5618. The Kleinau Theater box office is open one hour before each performance for those who want to buy tickets the day of the performance.

An Open House for the GLBT Resource Center is set for 1 to 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5, in Woody Hall, Room B260.

University Housing invites the entire campus community and the general public to the dedication ceremony for the Wall & Grand Apartments at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5. The 100-unit complex is at the northwest corner of Wall Street and Grand Avenue, and parking is available either across Grand Avenue from the complex or behind the Student Recreation Center. Following the program, there will be a reception and tours of apartments will be available

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier presides over the induction ceremony Friday, Oct. 5, for 133 first-year students in the SIU School of Law. The ceremony is set for 6 p.m. in the Carbondale Civic Center. A reception begins at 5 p.m.

The Saluki women's volleyball team hosts Drake at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 5, at Davies Gym. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for faculty, staff, senior citizens and kids. SIUC student tickets are free with a valid SIUC student ID on game day.

The 2007 Homecoming parade begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 in downtown Carbondale. The parade, featuring dozens of attractions, marching bands and more, begins at the corner of Mill Street and University Avenue and goes north on University Avenue to Cherry Street before turning south on Illinois Avenue and continuing to McAndrew Stadium.

The alumni tailgate is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, under the SIUC Alumni Association tent on the lawn east of McAndrew Stadium. Everyone is welcome and may register for a complimentary lunch from the SIU Alumni Association and SIUC colleges.

The undefeated Saluki football team — ranked No. 7 in this week's The Sports Network FCS Top 25 Poll — hosts Youngstown State in the 2007 Homecoming game at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at McAndrew Stadium. Tickets are $19 for prime reserved seats and $15 for all other reserved and general admission seats; $8 for high school students and younger. SIUC student tickets are free at gates 3 and 4 with a valid SIUC student ID on game day. The game will also be televised live by CSTV.

The Saluki women's volleyball team hosts Creighton at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at Davies Gym. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for faculty, staff, senior citizens and kids. SIUC student tickets are free with a valid SIUC student ID on game day.

The 36th annual Miss Eboness Pageant is at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6, at Shryock Auditorium. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased through Ticketmaster at 866/646-8849. The Miss Eboness After Set, featuring Trey Songz, is at 10 p.m. at the SIU Arena. Tickets are $35, and may also be purchased through Ticketmaster.

A panel discussion, "Everything You Want to Know but Were Afraid to Ask …," featuring members of the GLBTQQIA community is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9, in the Student Center's Mississippi Room. Panelists will describe their own sexual and gender identities and answer audience questions.

Discussion on a proposed GLBT/Q Studies minor offering at SIUC is set for noon, Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Student Center's Mackinaw Room. A panel of faculty, staff and others will discuss the possibility, interest in, and value of a minor degree offering at SIUC.

The film, "The Aggressives," will be shown at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the Student Center's Illinois Room. A discussion will follow. GLBT History Month and Latino Heritage Month are sponsoring the event.