Well, you betcha, there’s lots of arts going on this weekend. But an essential ingredient of American culture is for sure college football and the biggest game of the year in Northfield is, of course, the clash of local titans, Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges.

St. Olaf has been on a bit of a winning streak in recent years. In fact, some Oles would have you believe that the Carleton team pictured at left was that last one to beat St. Olaf. However, Carleton has gotten off to a strong start this season with a 3-0 record. This year’s contest promises to be one for the ages. It’s 1 p.m., Saturday, October 4th, at Manitou Field on the St. Olaf campus. It’s all part of the St. Olaf Homecoming and Family Weekend.

Friday night, October 3rd, there’s a Faculty/Guest Recital featuring Kathryn Ananda-Owens on piano and Hector Valdivia on violin, 7 p.m. in Urness Recital Hall on the St. Olaf campus, The Aerodynamics of Accident, 7:30 p.m. in the Haugen Theater on the St. Olaf campus, a Japanese Animation Festival, 7:30 p.m. at ArtOrg at 200 Division Street, a Faculty Recital featuring Nicola Melville on piano, joined by Jun Qian on clarinet, 8:00 p.m. in the Concert Hall on the Carleton campus, Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed by Sibley Elementary School students with the Prairie Fire Children’s Theater, in the Northfield Middle School Auditorium, 1400 Division Street, and Joe Meyer at the Tavern Lounge, river side of the Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Saturday, there’s that football game, at 1 p.m., “Banned Books Week“, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Carleton Bookstore, a St. Olaf Band Concert, “Celebrating the Sciences”, 7:30 p.m. in Skoglund Center, the Aerodynamics of Accident, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., in the Haugen Theater on the St. Olaf campus, Midsummer Night’s Dream, in the Northfield Middle School Auditorium, and Jeff Thompson at the Tavern Lounge.

Sunday, October 5th, it’s Quiz Night, 4 p.m., at the Contented Cow, 302B Division Street. Hmmm…I didn’t expect a quiz. At 6 p.m., those passing the quiz or paying the poll tax can participate in the Policy and a Pint discussion, the topic of which, I believe, is “Hey buddy, can you spare $700 billion, Round 2”.