Family and Friends Weekend to showcase SUNY Oswego arts, athletics, entertainment

SUNY Oswego's Family and Friends Weekend -- Friday, Oct. 20, through Sunday, Oct. 22, will showcase student achievements in academics, the arts and athletics.

For many students, the weekend presents an opportunity for family and friends -- some for the first time -- to see firsthand their students' immersive college experiences.

A wide variety of events -- many free and open to the public -- will showcase the creative, athletic and other talents of SUNY Oswego's students. For ticketed activities, visit any SUNY Oswego box office, tickets.oswego.edu or call 315-312-2141.

The theatre department will present "Clybourne Park," a tale of race, gentrification and human understanding at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and 2 p.m. Oct. 21, in Tyler Hall's Waterman Theatre. Tickets are required for the award-winning play, which unfolds in two acts set 50 years apart, and cost $15 for the general public, $7 for SUNY Oswego students.

Highlights also include a pair of student musical performances. A music department concert at noon Oct. 21 in Hewitt ballroom will include the talents of the College Choir, Chamber Singers, State Singers, College Orchestra and Concert Band. Music faculty will offer "Beats and Brass: An Afternoon of Percussion and Trumpet Music" at 3 p.m. Oct. 22 in Sheldon Hall ballroom (tickets required: $8 for general public, $5 for students).

The ALANA (African, Latin, Asian and Native American) Collection of Expressions at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 will feature cultural poetry, readings, music and dance from students, faculty and staff. The free event, in the Marano Campus Center activity court, also will feature spoken-word poet, rapper, DJ and music producer Oveous Maximus.

The Mini-Carnival, an annual family favorite for students and younger siblings, will provide games, bounce house, face painting, balloon animals, snacks and more from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Marano Campus Center's Swetman Gym.

Athletic competition, including the return of two Laker ice hockey teams that earned national rankings, will boost school pride throughout the weekend. Women's hockey will host the Toronto Midget Aeros in the Marano Campus Center arena for a free exhibition at 3 p.m. Oct. 21, while men's hockey will play the Central Canada Hockey League All-Stars at 7 p.m. that day (tickets are $8 for the general public, free for SUNY Oswego students).

Other Laker teams in action will include field hockey vs. New Paltz at 4 p.m. Oct. 20 and at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 vs. Oneonta at Laker Turf Stadium; men's and women's swimming and diving at 1 p.m. Oct. 21 vs. Oneonta at Laker Pool; and men's soccer vs. Cortland at 4 p.m. Oct. 21 at Laker Turf Stadium.

The men's club hockey team also will be in action at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and 8 a.m. Oct. 21, both in the Marano Campus Center arena.

The Career Services Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Compass, 145 Marano Campus Center, will provide opportunities to meet office staff, learn more about services and offerings, tour the resource center and ask career-related questions.

Special attractions Oct. 21 will include Wacky Chad, Stunt Comedian, at 1:30 and 3 p.m. in the Marano Campus Center auditorium; a Family Portrait session -- pictures with props -- from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. in front of the Compass; and high-energy comedy performer Alakazam -- billed as "the human knot" at 8 p.m. in Hewitt ballroom.

Tyler Art Gallery will showcase two exhibitions -- "The Veterans Book Project" and "Politics on Paper: Art with an Agenda from the Syracuse University Art Collection" -- from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 22. The gallery at Oswego State Downtown, featuring "David Owens: Illustration and Collaboration," will be open at the corner of West First and Bridge streets in Oswego from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 20 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 21.

The SUNY Oswego planetarium, 223 Shineman Center, will offer shows at 7 p.m. Oct. 20; 1, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Oct. 21; and 1 p.m. Oct. 22. Due to limited seating for this popular attraction, calling 315-312-3073 in advance for free tickets is strongly recommended.

Open skate opportunities to let attendees take to the ice of the Marano Campus Center include 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20 (free with valid SUNY Oswego ID, $3 for the public, $3 skate rental) and 10 p.m. to midnight Oct. 21 ($1 admission, $3 skate rental).

Open Recreation will take place in Lee Hall Gym from 9 a.m. to midnight Oct. 20 and noon to midnight Oct. 21; and in Swetman Gym from 3 to 8 p.m. Oct. 20. The gym also will host a 3-Point Contest at 4 p.m. Oct. 20.

Lee Hall Pool will host a free Splash-in Movie at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 -- attendees can watch "Moana" and swim. The pool also will have Open Swim from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 20 and from noon to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 21, as well as Lap Swim from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 20.

Eating options will include a special bountiful buffet dinner at 5 p.m. Oct. 21 in Sheldon Hall ballroom (preregistration required; $25 for adults and SUNY Oswego students, $12.50 for children ages 3 to 11; younger children eat free) as well as all-you-can-eat offerings in the campus dining halls throughout the weekend.

Attendees also can tour Rice Creek Field Station and its nature trails from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 20 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 21 Saturday, including a Rice Creek Ramble guided walk at 11 a.m. Oct. 21.

For more information and a complete schedule, visit oswego.edu/familyandfriends.