Don't Miss It!

Part of why this is such a livable place is having lots of options for things to do. So get out the pencil, or the smartphone, because Purdue Today's Don't Miss It! will call attention to many of the University's events to uplift the mind and soul. That is, entertainment and ideas -- on the stage, on the field, on the cutting edge. Ready, set, go.

AUGUST 29-31

A surge of athletic spirit can be a great finish to a Week 1 crash course in Purdue Fall 2014 and a great start to a three-day weekend. It's time for Purdue flags, Purdue paraphernalia and free Friday rides for those in the Purdue community on the Boilermaker Special courtesy of the Reamer Club. And there's more. Details

Purdue Varsity Glee Club

Purdue's top 10 volleyball team will open its season with two matches Friday (10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and one Saturday evening in the traditional Mortar Board Premier. These Purdue women will face Toreros and Tigers and Bulls, oh my. It's all in Holloway Gymnasium in the Brees Center (IAF). $. Details (Ticket good for two-game session.)

The women of soccer will kick it forward with their second weekend featuring a pair of games. This time it's Ball State at 7 p.m. Friday and SIU Edwardsville at 1 p.m. Sunday at the friendly confines of the Boilermaker Soccer Complex. $. Details

Some music will rouse spirits too as the renowned Purdue Varsity Glee Club presents its "First Nighter" Concert. This Purdue Musical Organizations group says "No fun without music, no music without fun." You get both. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Elliott Hall of Music. Free. Details

AUGUST 30

Football's season opener is here, and so are the things that make college football an enduring attraction -- action, food, music, people and a chance for, shall we say, vigorous expressions of pride. Kickoff vs. Western Michigan is at noon, so Boilermaker Crossing starts at 9 a.m. and the 211° Session pep rally starts one degree from boiling at 9:49 a.m. The pep rally and the day will ride a wave of musical energy from the "All-American" Marching Band. $ for the game. Details of the day; season guide

SEPTEMBER 2

Detail from "Aquila" in exhibition "Leah Yerpe: Constellations"

Purdue University Galleries opens two exhibitions with large-scale views of the human figure. At the Robert L. Ringel Gallery in Stewart Center, "Leah Yerpe: Constellations" uses intricate drawings of people twisting, floating and falling around each other to evoke mythology's take on human experience. At the Fountain Gallery in downtown Lafayette, "Jenny Morgan: Transcendental Supra-mental" suggests human self-awareness through manipulation of her paint media. Both exhibitions run Sept. 2-Oct. 11.  Details (see also newsletter linked at the site)

SEPTEMBER 6

The football Boilermakers draw another MAC opponent in Central Michigan, and in case the running and passing and blocking and tackling and kicking aren't enough, it's also Family Day and Band Day. Please do not tackle the bands. Boilermaker Crossing at 9-11:30 a.m. The 211° Session pep rally at 9:45 a.m. Jazz bands from Purdue Bands & Orchestras will have pregame music, and their colleagues in the "All-American" Marching Band will be awesome as always. Game time is noon. Details of the day; season guide

SEPTEMBER 7

It's a Picnic with the Purduettes, Purdue Musical Organizations' women of harmony. You bring your supper; they'll bring the songs. 6 p.m. Slayter Hill. Free. Details

A PEEK AHEAD

SEPTEMBER 12

Opening Night Dance Party with La Yegros will bring a high-energy start to Purdue Convocations' year. 8 p.m. Four Points By Sheraton Ballroom, 1600 Cumberland Ave. $. Details

SEPTEMBER 12 and 14

A big soccer weekend will see the start of Big Ten play with two tough matches: Penn State and Ohio State. Details

SEPTEMBER 17

The Windy City Carnival will sweep into town to help the Black Cultural Center celebrate its fall theme of Trinidad & Tobago -- Caribbean history, folklore and arts. 7 p.m. STEW, Fowler Hall. Details

SEPTEMBER 18

"Dawn or Doom: The New Technology Explosion," a one-day summit packed with profound questions, is part of this year's "If/Then: Decoding Our Future" series. Top professors and guest speakers will outline the likely future. Details

James Barrat, author and documentary filmmaker, will speak as part of the day's summit. Free. 6 p.m. STEW, Loeb Playhouse. Details

Purdue football

SEPTEMBER 19-20

Volleyball will be played with a twist and a grudge. The top 10 Boilers will host the Active Ankle Challenge, but the Saturday evening session will be in Mackey Arena so lots of people can come see Purdue tangle with Notre Dame. Details

SEPTEMBER 20

The Boilermaker football squad will get after Southern Illinois. Game time TBA. Details of the day; season guide

SEPTEMBER 26-27

It's Homecoming Weekend. Purdue gets Iowa at noon. A whole lot more is planned for the day. Details

These and other events, plus other timely information, are listed in the Purdue Today calendars at www.purdue.edu/newsroom/purduetoday.