Schedule of Events Thursday, October 15 - Sunday, October 18   Mixed Signals: Artists Consider Masculinity in Sports The Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (CADVC), Fine Arts Building, Room 105 10/15 - 10/17, 10 - 5 p.m. Celebrate Homecoming with a visit to the art gallery to see this multi-media, sports-themed art exhibition. Mixed Signals focuses on contemporary artists who question the notion of the male athlete as the last bastion of uncomplicated, authentic identity in American culture. The exhibition features forty works in photography, video, and installation curated by Christopher Bedford and organized/circulated by Independent Curators International, New York. The Art of Persuasion: Poster Design from 1896-2008 Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery 10/15, noon - 8 p.m., 10/16, 12 - 4 p.m., 10/17 - 10/18, 1-5 p.m. The Art of Persuasion surveys a century of development in the visual language of posters. These designs will be presented in three distinct thematic groups; Pleasure and Leisure, Politics and Propaganda and Commerial Advertising. For more information, click here for the UMBC Arts Calendar. Dance Performance: Clancy Works with Lacy & Shade Fine Arts Studio, 317 10/16 - 10/17, 8 p.m. Join us for an exciting evening of dance, featuring Clancy Works along with Sandra Lacy and Mary Williford-Shade. $20 general admission, $10 students and seniors. For more information, click here for the UMBC Arts calendar.  THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 Women’s Soccer UMBC Soccer Field, 3:30 p.m. Do you have the fever? Come cheer on the women’s soccer team at the first official game of Homecoming weekend as the lady Dawgs take on conference rival Albany. Alumni of the Year Awards Reception Library 7th Floor, 8 p.m. The UMBC Alumni Association proudly honors these outstanding alumni for their accomplishments and dedication to UMBC: the new president of West Virginia University, Dr. James Clements ’85, ’91, '93; Charm City Cakes’ Duff Goldman '97; Johns Hopkins medical researcher Dr. Crystal Watkins ’95; Maryland legislator the Honorable Jon Cardin ’96; arts educator Laura Pasquini '98; attorney Gustavo Matheus ’90 (Alumni Distinguished Service Award); and attorney Alicia Wilson ’04 (Young Alumni Rising Star Award).  Click here to register. Movie Showing of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Lecture Hall 1 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 Shabbat Celebration Skylight Room, The Commons, 6 p.m. Join the UMBC Jewish community for a weekly Shabbat (Sabbath) celebration in the Skylight Room of The Commons. Services are at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Dr. Robert Deluty will share his poetry. Students, families and alumni are all welcome, but you must RSVP (and arrange payment -- $18 for adults and $10 for children) at www.umbchillel.org/shabbat by October 14. Ice Hockey vs. Rowan Piney Orchard Ice Arena, 6:30 p.m. Check out the Ice Dawgs in action against Rowan in a ACHA Div II rivalry at the official home of your UMBC Retrievers!   Talent Show UC Ballroom, 7 p.m. Think you can dance? Sing? Tell a great story? Prove it at our annual student talent show! E-mail kdix1@umbc.edu for more information and to sign up. Do it today, spaces are limited. Prizes will be awarded in several different categories.  Midnight Madness RAC, doors open at 10 p.m., program begins at 10:30 p.m. Don’t miss the kickoff to basketball season! This high energy introduction to the Retrievers has something for everyone. Games, prizes, and food will be on hand. Prizes will be awarded to the most spirited fans, so don’t forget to wear your black and gold! Admission is free for everyone. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17  5K Dawg Chase UMBC Stadium Track and Loop, Meet at Lot #17 Registration opens at 8 a.m., Race starts at 9 a.m. Sign up for our second annual Dawg Chase around campus. Free t-shirt to all paid entrants. This is a great way to kick off your Homecoming morning! Sponsored by the United States Marines.  Register for the race here. Wrestling Club Team Squareoff RAC court 1, 10 a.m. Looking for their 7th straight appearance at the NCWA National Championship this season, the 9th ranked UMBC Wrestling Team is squaring off against each other for the starting spot at their home opener. Men's Volleyball Club team vs. Alumni RAC court 2, 11 a.m. The current squad will face off against its alumni in a battle for bragging rights!   Alumni Tailgate Lunch Outside Soccer Stadium, 11:30- 1:30 p.m. Catch the Retriever Fever and enjoy barbecue fare for lunch before the men’s soccer team takes on Longwood University. Your tailgate registration includes admission to the soccer game at 1 p.m. Click here to register.   RETRIEVER FEVER FEST The Commons Garage, 11:30 - 2:30 p.m. The Commons, 2– 7 p.m. Student organizations will be on hand in The Commons Garage with lawn chairs, grills, food and fun at this tailgate event. Student organizations should email kdix1@umbc.edu for more info and to register. Activities in The Commons will include:  Kid Zone: Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince and Arts and Crafts Sports Zone, noon to 5  p.m. Movie showing at 12 and 3 p.m. along with arts and crafts for kids including pumpkin decorating, Halloween crafts, face-painting, balloon twisting and more. Photos with True Grit Main Street, 2-30-3:30 p.m. Take a photo with UMBC’s mascot and get a free giveaway. Open Game Room & Guitar Hero Tournament 2-5 p.m. Show off your skills by joining in on a Guitar Hero competition or spend the afternoon playing billiards, ping pong or air hockey. Open Pub Hours in Flat Tuesdays 2-11 p.m. Take a load off and relax with friends at UMBC’s pub. Must be 21 or older and bring 2 forms of ID. Please note that all guests most be accompanied by a member of the UMBC community (faculty, staff, student, alumnus/a) Student & Residential Life Student Leader Reception Skylight Room, 2 - 5 p.m. Were you an involved student?  Are you currently an involved student?  Join the Offices of Residential Life and Student Life as they celebrate your contributions to the UMBC community!  Please join us to share your favorite memories about your involvement, reconnect with staff members, and learn more about student life today.  Light refreshments will be served & don't miss the craft table for children! Greek to Greek: Alumni and Student Social Student Org Space (2nd floor), 3 - 4:30 p.m. Reminisce about your time at UMBC, share memories with current students, and learn more about current happenings in the Greek world at UMBC. Be sure to wear your letters during homecoming events showing off your Greek pride! UMBC goodies will be raffled off and light refreshments to be served. Getting Gritty Alumni Happy Hour The Commons, Flat Tuesdays, 4 - 7 p.m. Get together with old friends and make new ones at this event hosted by the Chapter of Young Alumni during Retriever Fever, Homecoming 2009. Network with fellow alums, take a photo with our mascot, True Grit, have a few drinks and join us for casino games. Registration fee includes light hors d'oeuvres and two complimentary beverages from the Pub. Space is limited so register early at www.umbc.edu/homecoming.   Free Gym RAC, Noon-7 p.m.  Enjoy free admission to the 135, 000 sq. ft. athletic and recreation facility. Try out a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike, play some basketball, take a swim in the pool, or check out the main arena. Alumni Baseball Game Baseball Field, 12:30 p.m. Come cheer on the current baseball team as they take on alumni players for a fun and competitive game.    UMBC Men’s Soccer vs. Longwood University Soccer Field, 1 p.m. Put on your black and gold and join students, alumni, staff, and friends for the Homecoming soccer game. UMBC takes on Longwood University.  Alumni Softball Game Stadium Field, 2:30 p.m. Watch alumni players and the current team duke it out on the diamond! Men's Rugby Matrix Match Walker Avenue Field, 3:30 p.m. Alumni, family, and friends are welcome to watch the Men's Rugby squad in a regular season match before their PRU playoffs begin. BBQ will begin at 3 p.m. For additional information, click here for facebook page. Honors College Reception Library Gallery, 3 - 4:30 p.m. Alumni, students, parents, faculty and staff are invited to join us for an Honors College reception. Reconnect with friends, visit with faculty and staff, and learn about the exciting work of the Honors College today. Student research will be presented along with remarks from the Director, Dr. Anna Shields. Refreshments will be served. For questions or more information, e-mail us at honors20@umbc.edu or call 410-455-3720. Click here to register. Old School Throwback Party The Commons, Flat Tuesdays, 8 – 11 p.m. Calling all alumni — especially those with an affinity for music of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s! Join the Chapter of Black and Latino Alumni for an "Old School Throwback Party."  Reminisce about the good old days at UMBC as we play some of your favorite old school tunes. Registration fee includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and complimentary beverage. Click here to register.   Comedy Show featuring Demetri Martin RAC, 8:00 p.m., Doors will open at 7:15 p.m. You may have caught Demetri Martin on Premium Blend, the Daily Show, or Flight of the Conchords. Now see him at UMBC! Tickets will sell quickly, so plan to get yours today. Student tickets are only available at the Commons Information Desk and are $10 with a red ID. Alumni and friends can purchase tickets for $20. Click here to purchase tickets.