FAMILY WEEKEND CELEBRATION WILL SWEEP SEMO

As Southeast Missouri State University looks forward to the future with new computer technology and the business building, those who join this year's Family Weekend celebration will be taking a look back with the theme "Treasures and Traditions."

The Shenandoah Shakespeare Express will be at Southeast during the celebration this weekend, conducting a workshop and giving two performances. The visit is the 11-member troupe's second to Southeast in two years.

During a picnic lunch Saturday, families will be treated to two acts. Rick Kelley, singer-keyboardist-songwriter, will perform for the third year in a row, treating the audience to Motown favorites and original works of his own. Kelley's "Don't Just Sit There" show emphasizes audience participation, including hula-hoop contests and James Brown scream-offs.

After Kelley's performance, Southeast families will welcome Bill Fry, a different kind of juggler. Fry, who has performed at the White House and opened for Dana Carvey and Rodney Dangerfield, will do anything for a laugh, and keeps his juggling fast-paced. It's "Comedy in the Air."

Headlining Family Weekend '96 will be the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, set to perform in Houck Stadium Saturday at the conclusion of the Southeast vs. Murray State football game. The four-man band, of "Mr. Bojangles" and "Fishin' in the Dark" fame, has been performing through parts of four decades. Purchase of tickets includes both the football game and concert.

Events Friday night include dinner with students in the residence halls; a high school volleyball tournament featuring teams from throughout Eastern Missouri, and an 8 p.m. performance of "Julius Caesar" by Shenandoah Shakespeare Express.

On Saturday, the Southeast Parents Association will hold a breakfast, the residence halls will be open to visitors, and the volleyball tournament will continue.

Other events throughout the day will include a "My Little Treasure" contest featuring pictures of Southeast students as babies; a 10 a.m. performance of "As You Like It" by the Shenandoah Shakespeare Express; organizational displays on Academic Terraces; a presentation for parents on the Missouri-London program; the Minority Family Weekend Program; a treasure hunt and Southeast's traditional Family Weekend picnic

Family Weekend will conclude with two events Sunday morning: a breakfast with Southeast's new president, Dr. Dale Nitzschke, and the third annual Mass on Academic Terraces, conducted by Catholic Campus Ministries.