Paine College has weeklong activities planned for this year's homecoming, which starts Sunday and ends Feb. 11.
Activities are centered on this year's theme: The Essence of Soul. The theme was chosen in part because of James Brown's recent death, said Sean Palmer, the director of student activities and resident life.
"It's kind of a tribute to him on some level," he said. "We are the only HBCU (historically black college or university) in the Augusta area. We kind of wanted to do a theme that signified black culture, Motown - us kind of being the soul of Augusta, so to speak."
Festivities open Sunday morning with a worship service at the Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel. That evening the festivities continue with Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles Midnight Breakfast, which begins at 11 p.m.
Other activities during the week include a cook-off, a residence hall step show, a fashion and comedy show, a pilgrimage to the founder's grave, an outdoor jazz show, the annual Masked Ball, parade, and tailgating and a Greek step show leading up to the homecoming basketball game Saturday at Augusta State University. The Paine women's team will play Allen University and the men will face off against Claflin College.
Included for the first time in the homecoming lineup is the Heart and Soul Ball, a formal affair Thursday, Feb. 8, at the Marbury Center.
Another new event will be Soul on Ice, which is Paine College night Friday, Feb. 9, at the Augusta Lynx game at James Brown Arena. The hockey game will be the site of the homecoming pep rally, where the school mascot's name will be revealed.
"Our lion will be there. Up until now, he's just been the lion," Mr. Palmer said. "The students are coming up with a name. The best name wins."
The week will close with a gospel extravaganza Sunday, Feb. 11. Sister Kincannon, from radio station WTHB-FM (100.9) will be the host for the show, which will feature local choirs from churches and schools, including Tabernacle Baptist Church and Glenn Hills and Cross Creek high schools.
"I'm excited," Mr. Palmer said. "They love it. Everybody's in choir practice, step show (practice), everybody's in preparation."
Reach C. Samantha McKevie at (706) 823-3552 or samantha.mckevie@augustachronicle.com.
Paine College homecoming schedule
Sunday
9 a.m.: Worship Service, Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel
11 p.m.: Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles Midnight Breakfast
Monday
Noon: The Hitsville U.S.A. kick-off, The Veranda
12:30 p.m.: The Supreme reception, Mr. and Miss Homecoming reception, second floor Peters Campus Center
5:30 p.m.: Dinner and A Movie, The Five Heartbeats, Cafeteria
5:30, 7 p.m.: Lions vs. Tuskegee, Carter Gymnasium
10 p.m.: The Real Thing after party, Student Center
Tuesday
Noon: Make your own compact disc
8 p.m.: The Motown Sound Residence Hall Step Show, Carter Gymnasium (free for students with ID and active alumni; $3 others)
Wednesday
TBD: Conference on the black experience, Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel
Noon: Make your own video
8 p.m.: Anthology: The Fashion and Comedy Show, Carter Gymnasium, (free for students with ID and active alumni; $3 others)
Thursday, Feb. 8
TBD: Conference on the black experience, Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel
11 a.m.: Pilgrimage to the founder's grave
8 p.m.: Heart and Soul: The Paine College Homecoming Soul Ball, The Marbury Center, 1257 Broad St., (free for students with ID; $5 one guest of student, $25 others)
Friday, Feb. 9
10:15 a.m.: Founder's Day Convocation, Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel
Noon: Jazz on the yard
6 p.m.: Soul on Ice Homecoming Pep Rally with the Augusta Lynx, James Brown Arena (students can pick up free ticket from the Office of Counseling)
Saturday, Feb. 10
10 a.m.: Homecoming parade
Noon: Tailgating on the yard
2 p.m.: Bring The Paine Greek Step Show, Carter Gymnasium, (free for students with ID; $15 adults, $5 ages 6-12, free 5 and younger)
6 p.m.: Homecoming game, (students free with valid ID)
Sunday, Feb. 11
9 a.m.: Worship service, Gilbert-Lambuth Chapel
3 p.m.: The Gospel Extravaganza, Gilbert Lambuth Chapel, (free for students with ID and active alumni; $5 others)
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