A full slate of events has been arranged to entertain, enlighten and inform

Students return to Rider this weekend, with residence halls opening on Saturday, Jan. 21, and classes for the new semester beginning Monday, Jan. 23. As the semester gets underway, a full slate of events has been scheduled to entertain, enlighten and inform the University’s students.

These are 10 of the most fun and interesting events to look out for:

Comedian Troy Walker

Friday, Jan. 27,

at 8 p.m. Bart Luedeke Center Theater

Troy Walker, who has twice been named winner of the “New Faces” contest at the famed Comedy Works Comedy Club, made his TV Debut on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He began his career in Denver, now lives in L.A. and will visit Lawrenceville on Jan. 27. Fun fact: Walker is also a licensed attorney!  

Performance painter David Garibaldi

Saturday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m.

Bart Luedeke Center

Paint, sound, and entertainment collide for an entertaining show that has brought people around the world to their feet. David Garibaldi, who you might have seen on America’s Got Talent, has helped raise over $2 million for charity through his art.  

The Challenges of Homeland Security: An Evening with Avril Haines

Monday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m.

Cavalla Room, Bart Luedeke Center
Free, open to the public

Avril Haines has served as an Assistant to the President and Deputy U.S. National Security Advisor since 2015 under President Obama. Previously, she was Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency — the first woman to ever hold that position. This is an amazing opportunity to hear from someone who worked at the highest level of government. 

Dr. Benjamin Dworkin, director of the Rebovich Institute, says: “Her insights should be of supreme interest to anyone concerned about the safety and security of the country, especially the growing number of Rider students who are now focusing on this field.” 

Black History Month events

Feb. 6-26

February is Black History Month, and the Office of Multicultural Affairs has planned a full month of events to celebrate. Highlights include an interactive museum, Gospel Fest and a suite of panel discussions on “Taboos in the Black Community.” Something new this year, not to be missed: a night of poetry and music in honor of Langston Hughes. Students and faculty will perform. 

Rider Musical Theatre: Spring Cabaret — Eighties Explosion

Friday, Feb. 10, through Sunday, Feb. 12

Bart Luedeke Center Theater

Travel back in time to the days of big hair, big bands, and some of the best songs of all time! Eighties Explosion takes a journey through pop music from the 1980s highlighting favorites by artists such as Cindy Lauper, Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, The Eurythmics and more. Dancing in the aisle is welcome. 

Women’s basketball

This month, for the first time in program history, the Rider University women’s basketball team was named to the CollegeInsider.com Women’s Mid-Major Top-25 Poll. As of Jan. 18, the team ranked first in the MAAC in field-goal percentage (.433) and three-point field-goal percentage defense (.274). The Broncs are second in the league in scoring offense (69.0), scoring margin (+5.1), field-goal percentage defense (.384) and turnover margin (+1.00).   Six home games remain for the 2016-17 season. Go and support the Broncs!  

BroncFest: Winter Weekend

Friday, Feb. 10, through Sunday, Feb. 12

This celebration is designed to foster and instill spirit and pride in all members of the Rider community. Enlivened with traditions of the past, BroncFest: Winter Weekend offers a full array of events for everyone students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. 

Westminster/Juilliard: A Choral Collaboration

Monday, Feb. 13, and Tuesday, Feb. 14

Westminster Chapel Choir and Westminster Schola Cantorum join students from the Juilliard School to perform Mozart's Requiem in D Minor in Princeton on Monday, Feb. 13, and in New York on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Gary Taylor’s last home match

Saturday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.

Alumni Gym
This wrestling season is the 39th and the final season for Rider’s legendary head coach Gary Taylor. The accolades and accomplishments are overwhelming. He’s the third all-time winningest coach in Division I history and the first among active wrestling coaches. He’s an eight-time conference Coach of the Year. He’s qualified 169 Broncs for the NCAA Championships and come home with 15 All-Americans, including four in the last 10 years.Come out and show your appreciation for Coach Taylor on Saturday, Feb. 18, in Alumni Gym, as Rider takes on Maryland.

Art Song Festival

Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25

Westminster's annual Art Song Festival this year focuses on American Art Song. These performances will feature Westminster Choir College students, accompanied by Professor J. J. Penna,  performing works by American composers.

An American Modernist Voice takes place Friday, Feb. 24, and Songs by Living American Composers takes place Saturday, Feb. 25.

Check back with News at Rider for more events to look forward to in the spring. All events taking place this semester can be found on the University’s event calendar: rider.edu/events.