Fencing, poetry slam a part of IMU Homecoming celebration

Students with or without plans tonight can enjoy some recreational activities at the Indiana Memorial Union.\nAs a part of Homecoming, "Around The World Adventure" will take place from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. tonight at Alumni Hall and other locations in the IMU. The Union Board is sponsoring the event. \nThe activities will reflect on culture in the United States and Europe.\n"The purpose of these late-night extravaganzas is to provide students with free entertaining quality programming as an alternative to other weekend activities," said Drew Goldberg, the director for Union Board's Major Attractions. "These are attractions students normally don't have access to."\nIn the IMU Gallery (IMUG) will be the "Hollywood" theme, and a show entitled, "Megaflix," will allow participants to make their own music videos.\n"The CD thing is very interesting," junior Josh Ross said. "A lot of these videos cost a lot to make them."\nRoss, a transfer student from Vincennes University, said a similar event was successful there.\nThe IU Fencing Club will use their skills in the Medieval European section of the event in South Lounge. \n"It sounds like fun for the club," said graduate student Alison Griffith, the vice president and secretary of the club. "It's also a good way to promote our club. People don't know we're here."\nGriffith said 10 club members will hold a demonstration about the sport. \nParticipants can also engage in "Gladiator Joust," an event where two participants with padded jousting sticks try to knock their opponent off their platform.\nThe Alumni Hall and Solarium will serve as the "American Midway." Participants can get food and drinks and play with inflatable attractions, such as the "Bungee Run."\n'Mums' from HBO's show OZ will host "Poetry Slam," a competition where students read their poetry. Audience members will judge the event, and 'Mums' will give feedback to each of the authors.\nAlthough many students said they liked the idea of the event, some students said they would not be able to make to the festival as midterm exams near.\n"It looks it has a lot of variety," freshman Curtis Cunningham said. "That's good for a big campus like IU." \nCunningham said he would not attend the events because of his finite math exam.\nThe events will start in the Alumni Hall Lobby. Participants will receive a passport at Travel Agency, and passports will be stamped at each attraction they visit. The more stamps they collect, the better chance they have to win prizes.\nThe prize drawing will start at 1 a.m. Saturday morning.\nDVDs, CDs, CD players and walkmans are among the prizes. DVDs include "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" and "Ocean's 11." \n"The highlight attraction will be the concept itself," Goldberg said. "Students are encouraged to explore the Union and participate in each of our attractions while increasing the chances of winning prizes at the end of the night."\nStudents with a valid ID can bring along one non-student, and admission is free.