WWU’s Fall Family Open House is Oct. 21-23

Contact: New Student Services/Family Outreach, (360) 650-3846, or on the web at http://nssfo.wwu.edu/fallfamilyopenhouse/

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University opens its doors to family members and the community the weekend of Oct 21-23 during Fall Family Open House, which is a great opportunity to see what’s happening on campus through many fascinating and enjoyable activities such as performances, athletic events, presentations at Western’s planetarium, tours, department open houses and informative talks by faculty members.

The fun-filled weekend includes “The Art of Robert Davidson,” in the Western Gallery, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Friday and Saturday. Davidson is one of Canada’s most respected contemporary artists as well as an important cultural leader in the renaissance of native art and culture. Also on Friday will be “A Conversation with Lesley Dill” from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday in the Old Main Theatre. A prominent artist, Dill will speak about her work and upcoming exhibition at the Whatcom Museum.  Western’s planetarium – Washington’s first fully digital planetarium theater – will feature “American Indian Star Lore” and “Zodiac” on both Friday and Saturday.

The Rainbow Creek Dancers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 at the PAC Mainstage.  Tickets range from $9-$15 and are available through the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 or http://www.tickets.wwu.edu.

Saturday, Oct. 22, will feature events such an opening reception in Wilson Library’s new Learning Commons followed by a presentation on the Learning Commons; a number of campus presentations by faculty experts and student groups, a performance by Western’s nationally recognized Dead Parrots improv group; a Salsa dance workshop; tours of Western’s acclaimed Outdoor Sculpture Collection, a Filipino Heritage Dinner and a campus fair, where students and parents can learn more about various academic majors at Western. A range of departmental open houses will be offered as well.

A highlight of the weekend, will be a performance by Bellingham comedian Ryan Stiles, star of such hits as “Whose Line is it Anyway,” “The Drew Carey Show,” and “Two-and-a-Half Men.” The show, titled “Whose Live Anyway,” will be at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22 in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Mainstage.  It stars Stiles; Gregg Proops (Drew Carey’s “Improvaganza,” “Whose Line,” “True Jackson); Chip Esten (“Whose Line,” “New Adventures of Old Christine,” HBO’s “Bog Love”); and Jeff B. Davis (“Whose Line,” Drew Carey’s “Improvaganza,”). The musical director and keyboardist is Bob Derkach. At the time of publication, remaining tickets for this event are limited. Ticket prices for this public event are $45 or $30 for students. To order tickets, call the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146 or purchase tickets online at www.tickets.wwu.edu.

WWU sports teams will also be competing Saturday: women’s soccer takes on Northwest Nazarene at the Whatcom Community College soccer complex at 4:30 p.m.; men’s soccer takes the same field at 7 p.m. to take on Northwest Nazarene. Admission to the soccer matches is $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, or $3 for WWU students, faculty, and staff.

Fall Family Open House wraps up on Sunday, Oct. 23, with a Sunday brunch of parents and WWU students in the Viking Commons and a cello festival in the PAC Concert Hall.

A number of events are open to the general public and many are free. Go to http://nssfo.wwu.edu/fallfamilyopenhouse/, for more information, or call (360) 650-3846.

For a full schedule of events go to http://nssfo.wwu.edu/fallfamilyopenhouse/

There is no charge for parking on campus from 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23. Please observe regulatory parking signs in all lots. For parking information, please see http://www.ps.wwu.edu/parking/map/index.aspx