"Dueling Pianos" to light up Welcome Week

By Amanda Benjamin, contributing writer

As a highlight event among OU’s Welcome Week – Winter Semester 2009 activities, Comedian Kivi Rogers and JD’s Key Club Dueling Pianos will perform from 7-11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9. Dubbed Friday Night Live (FNL), the event will take place in the Banquet Rooms of the Oakland Center (OC).

This is just one of many free and entertaining events planned for students the week of Jan. 6-10.

“It gets everyone motivated and excited about being back at OU,” said Jean Ann Miller, director of the Center of Student Activities (CSA).

This will mark the second year Rogers has performed at FNL. He has appeared on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, as well as in movies such as “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion” and “The Amati Girls.” He’s also had guest appearances on TV shows including “The West Wing,” “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “Dharma and Greg.”

Dueling Pianos is a popular attraction in Pontiac and this presentation gives students and others an opportunity to see the show for free, Miller said. This will be the third year that Dueling Pianos has performed at OU.

Rogers’s comedy show starts at 7 p.m. and is followed by Dueling Pianos from 8:30-11 p.m. Free mocktails and munchies will be provided.

Getting Welcome Week under way this semester, students can play at Bumpers Game Room for free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The game room is located in the lower level of Oakland Center. The free event is presented by University Student Congress, Student Program Board, WXOU and CSA.

Students who wear OU gear will be eligible to win a prize at OU Spirit Day from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7. During the event, which takes place in the Pioneer Food Court, participants can meet OU’s Grizz Gang and pick up vouchers for the IPFW Road Trip on Jan. 17. There will also be free Grizztracks ice cream.

The OU Student and Greek Organization Fair will take place in the Fireside Lounge and main hallway from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8. Students will have a chance to get to know more about these organizations on campus.

The OU women’s and men’s swimming and diving teams will take on Eastern Michigan University at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Recreation and Athletic Center.

Winding up Welcome Week, the residence halls will present Saturday Night at the Movies with a screening of “Quarantine” in the Hamlin Lounge at 8 p.m.

For more information about Welcome Week activities, visit the CSA Web site or call (248) 370-2400.