Hip hop violinist to kick off FHSU's fun-filled Family Weekend

Josh Vietti, hip hop violinist, will kick off Fort Hays State University's Family Weekend at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6, in Cody Commons on the lower level of the Memorial Union.

Vietti, from southern California, has just completed a 140-date, nationwide college tour. This event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the University Activities Board.

Throughout the weekend, Feb. 6 to 10, current FHSU students will have the opportunity to share campus life, and celebrate family, friends and fun. Except where otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

On Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m., Diversity Affairs will host a showing of "The Great Debaters." Based on the story of Melvin B. Tolson, the film centers on a professor who inspires his students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championships.

On Friday, Feb. 8, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Sternberg Museum of Natural History will conduct a behind-the-scenes research tour of the museum's zoology specimens. A hands-on interactive experience with live animals will be available from 12 to 1 p.m. and 3 to 3:30 p.m. The Sternberg Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $4 with a Family Weekend brochure.

Brad Dawson, assistant professor of music and theatre, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center. Dawson, trumpet and flugelhorn, will be joined in a jazz recital by other FHSU music faculty. Music from "The Great American Songbook" and compositions by Thelonious Monk and Paquito D'Rivera will be performed as well as an original composition by FHSU Virtual College faculty member and pianist, Dr. Ben Markley, instructor of distance education. Faculty members performing are Ben Cline, bass and cello, Dean Kranzler, drums, Luke Johnson, guitar, and Markley, piano.

A Family Weekend brochure will get visitors a 10-percent discount at Starbucks in the Memorial Union from 8 to10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the University Bookstore will offer a 10-percent discount with the Family Weekend brochure.

The Parents Recognition Brunch will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, in the Fort Hays Ballroom. Parents of current FHSU students are invited. Dr. Edward H. Hammond, president, will recognize alumni who have students currently enrolled at FHSU during a short program at 11 a.m. Parents must RSVP by Friday, Feb. 1, by going to www.fhsu.edu/familyweekend/brunch .

Students and families can support Tiger basketball against the University of Nebraska-Kearney on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Gross Memorial Coliseum.

Families can enjoy music, arts and dance with the MAD Talent Show at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, in Beach/Schmidt. Tickets are $5 at the door, which will open at 7 p.m. Proceeds go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ellis County.

Families and the Hays community can join the Chinese Student Association in celebrating the Chinese New Year Spring Festival starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9, in Beach/Schmidt.

"In China, family members who work outside their hometowns come back to prepare and cook new year's food together," said Yao "Cassie" Cheng, president of the Chinese Student Association. "In most cities and towns, people will set off firecrackers to bring good fortune in the coming year."

The festival will showcase a variety of talents from FHSU's international student community.

FHSU students' brothers and sisters are also welcome to attend the Little Siblings events, beginning with game time in McMindes Hall 2R living room from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. Little siblings are also invited to a movie and sundae bar beginning at 8 p.m., then spend the night in the residence halls and apartment communities. Residents need to register guests with the Residence Hall Association by Friday, Feb. 1, by going to www.fhsu.edu/familyweekend/littlesibs .