Let the parties begin

Last year VCU students did it Vegas-style. This year they’re looking for gold.

“Gold Rush,” the official name for this year’s homecoming festivities, begins on Sunday with window painting in both the Commons and the Siegel Center. Any organization that is registered for the spirit competition is allowed to participate.

* Monday – The first event is the VCU Spirit Scavenger Hunt, which begins at noon. This event is only open to registered organizations. A Spades and Poker Tournament is scheduled for 7p.m. in the Virginia Room at the Commons. Spades is first-come, first-serve, and there is a $5 charge per team to secure a table. The poker tournament will feature Texas Hold ‘Em and prizes will be given out to the winners of both the poker and spades tournaments.

* Tuesday – Students are invited to meet the Homecoming Court candidates. The candidates, two men and seven women, will be in the Richmond Salons at the Commons at 7p.m. Their pictures, majors and personal statements are available at Gold Rush’s Web site.

* Wednesday – Husband and wife mentalist duo The Evasons, will perform in the Commonwealth Ballroom at 8 p.m. They specialize in mind reading, levitation, prediction and telekinesis.

* Thursday – It’s the first basketball game of Gold Rush. VCU’s women take on Old Dominion University at 7 p.m. in the Siegel Center. Admission is free for VCU students with student ID.

* Friday – Hip-hop band The Roots and R&B singer John Legend will perform for students at the Alltel Pavilion at the Siegel Center at 7 p.m. The concert is $7 for VCU students, $12 for non-VCU students with college ID and $22 for the general public. Tickets are available at room 229 in the Commons, Siegel Center Box Office, Ticketmaster locations, or they can be purchased by credit card by calling 828-RAMS.

Also on Friday, APB Films will show “Friday Night Lights” starring Billy Bob Thornton and country musician Tim McGraw at 9 p.m. in the Commonwealth Theatre and again on Saturday at 7p.m.

* Saturday, the last day of Gold Rush, features five events, including the second showing of “Friday Night Lights.” Chill ‘n Grill Tailgate will start the day off at 1 p.m. in the VV Lot, located at the corner of Harrison St. and Floyd Ave. Since there are a limited number of spaces, it will be first come, first serve. All groups must register with the Chill ‘n Grill committee and fill out a parking application for each vehicle.

The tailgate party will include five separate competitions. The Wing Cook-off, which must be registered for via Gold Rush’s Web site, will be judged based on table d