
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 30, 1994                   TAG: 9409300009
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: BECKY HEPLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

MILLER, OKTOBERFEST HIGHLIGHT HOMECOMING

If you preferred your "Saturday Night Live" newscast wickedly funny instead of brightly offbeat, you're in luck because your man is in town. Dennis Miller, comedian, talk show host and "SNL" veteran, is the headlining act for Radford University's homecoming festivities.

Miller's performance, which is Saturday night at 9 p.m. in the Dedmon Center, will cap a weekend of sports, music, food and fun staged for RU alumni but open to everyone.

In an age where comedy is represented by sarcasm and irony, Miller is the King of Smirk. Only David Letterman can get more laughs out of an arched eyebrow.

Miller is starring in HBO's "Dennis Miller Live", which recently won an Emmy for best writing.

Alumni Affairs officer David Horton said RU, which has made a practice of featuring comedians for the homecoming concert, was pleased to get a showman of Miller's caliber.

Tickets for the show are available through Heth Hall Box Office at 831-5420. The cost is $14 for general public, $10 with RU ID.

The cooler weather inspired a Germanic theme, with an Oktoberfest celebration at the Dedmon Center tents. The annual Pigfest barbecue will be served starting at noon on Saturday, with the sounds of the Rhondells to entertain from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The musical group has been a fixture on the beach music scene for 20 years and is remembered for the hit "May I," when the group was headed up by Bill Deal.

Athletics will also be part of the entertainment around the Dedmon Center, including games by former Highlanders, such as the the men's soccer game at 11 a.m. and the women's soccer game at 4 p.m. There will also be a former Highlanders baseball game at 1 p.m. The current field hockey team will challenge Towson State at 2 p.m.

The day will celebrate two of the big construction projects funded by the statewide bond issue of two years ago. At 2:30 p.m there will be an open house at the academic building, Tyler Hall, which underwent a $3.5 million renovation.

At 11 a.m., the new multimillion dollar addition to McConnell Library will be dedicated in a ceremony on the front lawn. Members of the McConnell family as well as other guest speakers will be on hand. Tours of the new section of the library will follow. A Homecoming luncheon will be served at 12:30 p.m. There's no charge for the ceremony, but lunch is $7. The University Concert Band will provide entertainment.

by CNB