Indie rockers, political know-it-alls and a few multi-millionaires will hit campus next week. The annual No Place Like Penn celebrations are combining with the grand opening of Perelman Quadrangle. And the Social Planning and Events Committee is bringing a star-studded line-up to campus to mark the historic event. Indie rock band Guster is christening Wynn Commons on Saturday night, and on Friday night Bill Maher will do a local version of his late-night Politically Incorrect for the second year in a row. The No Place Like Penn festivities will last from Thursday through Saturday night. SPEC Director Theo LeCompte said he expects this No Place Like Penn weekend to be one of the biggest ever. "I think because we have more events than in the past and people are curious to see the new spaces, [that] will combine to make this No Place Like Penn one of the biggest ever," said LeCompte, an Engineering senior. Maher appeared on campus last fall with a version of his colorful discussion show. The four panelists who will discuss current events with Maher will be announced by tomorrow, LeCompte said. Tickets for the politically charged dialogue will be available on September 12 and 13 at 10 a.m. on Locust Walk, and will cost $5 per person. Boston-based trio Guster will perform Saturday night. The popular East Coast band is known for its irreverent lyrics and unusual sound, complete with acoustic guitars and bongo drums. The band has released three albums, selling its first two -- Parachute and Goldfly -- by word of mouth alone. Ronald Perelman, Penn trustee and the largest donor to Perelman Quad, will make a special appearance with Guster on the drums. Opening for Guster will be Everything, an alternative band known for its top-40 hit last year, "Hooch." Concert tickets will be available at 11 a.m. Monday on Locust Walk for $5 a person with Penn ID. Other festivities round out the busy weekend. The first event, lasting from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. will be "Coffee's On Us" in the reading room of Houston Hall. Free coffee, scones and newspapers will be provided for anyone with a PennCard by the Vice Provost for University Life and the Tangible Change Committee. And Philadelphia rock station Y-100 is holding a free give-away on Wynn Commons on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. This will be followed with an outdoor presentation of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at 8 p.m. Depending on the weather, the movie will either be held on Wynn Commons or in Houston Hall's Hall of Flags. On Friday, "Activities Day" will showcase the various student groups and organizations now housed in Houston Hall from noon until 4 p.m. at the Gateway to Perelman Quad, located on Locust Walk. This will be sponsored by the Student Activities Council and the Office of Student Life. Saturday afternoon will feature performances by Mask and Wig in the Houston Hall auditorium at 3 p.m., and The Ally and Jazzyfatnastees on Wynn Commons at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. All of these will be free with a PennCard. Penn Trustee and 1963 College graduate Stephen Wynn will be on campus Saturday afternoon for the official opening of the facility. Saturday evening will close out the festivities with fireworks and music. After the concert, the night will end with a dance party in the Hall of Flags
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