ArtcS September 21, ZODD BriGfly... Family Weekend lets the good times roll Gerard to read in Morton Professor of creative writing Philip Gerard will read from his new work at 8 p.m. Sept. 26 in Morton Hall’s Bryan Auditorium. He is the author of 3 novels and 3 nonfiction books, has written 11 documentary programs and written over 150 commentaries for pub lic radio. The creative writing department is sponsoring the event, which is ftee and open to the public. For more information call the creative writing department at %2-7063 Stagewoi1(S play opening “The Member of the Wedding,” a play by Carson McCullers, will run in Thalian Hall's Studio Theatre Sept. 22,23,29 and 30 at 8 p.m. and at 3 p.m. Sept. 24 and Oct. I. Tickets are $8 and may be purchased through the Thalian Box Office at 343-3664. Big Band, Jazz Combo perfbrm season opener The UNCW Big Band and the Jazz Combo will present their first concerts of the year at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 in Kenan Auditorium. General admission costs 35, UNCW staff, faculty, senior citizens and children under 12 are $2.50 and students are admitted free with a valid ID. The Jazz Combo will begin the evening with jazz standards by Joe Henderson and an original composition by director Jerald Shynett. The Big Band will have a variety of “neo-swing” tunes popu larized by rtKxlem bands like the Brian Setzer Orchestra and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Auditions for “Sleepy Hollow” musical Tapestry Theater, the university’s S.T.A.G.E. Company and special effects art ists from the community will hold auditions for “Sleepy Hollow: ARock-n-Roll Hip-Hop Musical” from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 22 in the Warwick Center’s Center Stage Cafe. They are looking for rappers and singers with pre pared music, actors who have prepared a 2- minute monologue and dancers, who will be taught a combination. The performances will be Oct. 27, 28 and 29. For more informa tion, call 792-9117. Lisa Jackson Staff Writer Family Weekend will give par ents and students the chance to share the changes and experiences of the first month of college. This Friday through Sunday, the university will host Family Weekend 2000. The Division of Student Affairs orienta tion programs annually sponsors the event. “[Family Weekend gives] parents a chance to come back on to cam pus to visit wi*h their students after they have been away from home for about a month,” Orientation Pro gram Assistant Judy Gayle said. “We timed it between Labor Day break and fall break to give the families a chance to reconnect with their students and give the students a chance to share with their parents their campus life.” Gayle said that she is excited about this year’s weekend. Along with Dean of Students Terry Curran, Gayle focused the theme of this F''e photo The headlining event for Family Weekend is a performance by Buclwheat Zydeco this Saturday. year’s event around the celebratory and eclectic culture of Louisiana Cajuns. “Laiassez les bon temps roules” is a Cajun expression that means, “Let the good times roll.” And roll they will, with sched uled events such as a family fun feast with finger-licking Cajun dishes, a sunset riverboat cruise on Friday, kayak trips to Fort Fisher, and the accordion-powered sounds of Buckwheat Zydeco. Buckwheat Zydeco, a Grammy nominee, was selected to perform by the Activities and Leadership office’s Arts in Action Program for last year’s family weekend, but Hur ricane Floyd had different plans for the Wilmington area, which pre vented Zydeco’s performance. Fam ily Weekend was completely can celled, but Buckwheat Zydeco will still perform at the university. “Buckwheat Zydeco graciously agreed to honor the contract by com ing back this year,” Gayle said. Gayle reported that 750 families have officially registered at this year’s weekend celebration. “It’s about a hundred more than last year,” she said. Tickets for the event range from $12 per person to $35 per person. The sunset cruise and kayak trips have additional fees attached. The deadline for registration was Sep tember 15. However, information about the event can be obtained by contacting the Orientation Programs Office at 1-800-874-0673. Concert on the Commons: Deidre McCalla Erin Henderson Staff Writer The sounds of an acoustic guitar filled the campus commons as singer/songwriter Diedre McCalla entertained the lunchtime crowd last Thursday. “I just hope I add something to somebody’s day, that they leave here enriched on some level,” McCalla said. “That’s a big word, but I think that’s what I go for as a listener. When I go to a concert, I hope to leave there feeling good that I was there - feeling good that 1 ex perienced that moment in time and that 1 got a little bit more energy to get me through my day; so I am hoping that is what I do for others.” McCalla described her music as contemporary folk. “Almost any kind of guitar and Vioiiy'^anSer^ke Smhawk Musician Deidre IVIcCalla performed in the commons last Thursday. vocal is labeled some level of folk,” she said. “1 write in a lot of differ ent styles...a little bit of country, definitely a little bit of pop, as well as a little bit of Caribbean. As a songwriter, it opens up; a song be comes whatever the message is.” See McCalla, Page14