Dances, trances, sharing and wearing red are on the Homecoming 2017 agenda.
Tuesday and Wednesday of Homecoming Week include events that highlight the ӰרӰרs talent, its big heart and its favorite color.
And thereӰרs a hypnotist, too.
The ӰרӰר contest is set for 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cajundome Convention Center.
The event is a new addition to Homecoming roster, said Karli Sherman, assistant director of the Ӱר Program CouncilӰרs Office of Student Engagement and Leadership. The office coordinates student-led Homecoming events.
Previous years have featured karaoke contests where students rewrote popular songs with UL Lafayette-themed lyrics. Often, these performances included backup dancers as well.
The ӰרCajuns Got TalentӰר event aims to showcase student talent beyond singing and dancing, Sherman said.
ӰרOne of the goals of the student organizers this year was to make Homecoming more inclusive of the student population. They wanted this to be a full talent show where participants could do any type of performance.Ӱר
Students can attend free with a Ӱר ID. The audience can expect student-made videos, a drag performance, and solo and group acts. ӰרThere will be a pretty good variety,Ӱר Sherman said.
Judges will select first-, second- and third-place finishers.
Professional comedian Julian McCullough, who has appeared on ӰרThe Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,Ӱר ӰרConanӰר and ӰרComedy Knockout,Ӱר will act as the showӰרs master of ceremonies. HeӰרll do his comedy set to cap off the evening.
A canned food drive and a performance by Chicago-based hypnotist Chris Jones will bookend WednesdayӰרs Homecoming events.
The is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Boucher Street. Wear Red, Get Fed Ӱר where students sporting the ӰרӰרs premier color will receive a free lunch Ӱר will be held in conjunction.
Donations will be given to FoodNet Food Bank in Lafayette. In years past, participants have filled multiple box trucks with canned and nonperishable food items, Sherman said.
ӰרThis is a way for our students, faculty and staff to give back to the community. With Thanksgiving and Christmas approaching, itӰרs important to stock the pantryӰרs shelves so they can help families enjoy the holiday season.Ӱר
Donations from student organizations, academic departments, Ӱר staff and individual students will be accepted.
Students who attend the food drive while wearing red can fill up on barbecued hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, salad and brownies, while supplies last. ThereӰרll be music, too.
ensures students who canӰרt attend nighttime events catch the Homecoming spirit as well, Sherman said.
One of those evening events is a . ItӰרs set for 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Student UnionӰרs Bayou Bijou theater. Students get in with a Ӱר ID.
Jones appeared in Season 10 of ӰרAmericaӰרs Got Talent.Ӱר Sherman said she saw his act a few years ago. Unlike other performers sheӰרd seen, who lulled individuals into a trance, Jones simultaneously hypnotized multiple people, including audience members.
Jones peppers his stage routine with pop culture references that connect him to collegiate audiences, Sherman said.
ӰרHeӰרs young, energetic and very exciting. The students respond well to him.Ӱר
Visit for the full slate of Homecoming 2017 events.
Photo caption: Chicago-based hypnotist Chris Jones will bring his act to the Bayou Bijou theater Wednesday as part of Homecoming Week activities. (Courtesy photo)