Planning Parents Weekend

Hosting mom and dad, a role reversal if ever there was one, is not always easy. Downtime can be a downer — after all, parents didn’t come from near and far to sit in a dorm room.

Fortunately, the University has put together a full slate of activities. Take your pick: Salsa dancing and a piña colada bar? A famous comedy troupe? Tours of FitRec? You’ve only just begun.

A complete listing of events is available here, and as you’ll see, the variety is remarkable. For a quick head start — nothing more than that — browse through some highlights below, culled by category, and start planning.

One piece of advice for those headed off-campus to enjoy Boston: take the T. If that seems a little daunting, especially with parents in tow, read our guide on getting around.

Performances:
The Second City comedy troupe performs live Friday night. Since 1959, Second City has established itself as a Chicago landmark and a national treasure. The theater launched the careers of such greats as John Belushi, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, and Gilda Radner. Note: some material may not be suitable for younger viewers.
The event is Friday at 9 p.m. in the George Sherman Union Metcalf Hall, 775 Commonwealth Ave. Tickets are $25 per person.

Join Dean of Students Kenneth Elmore and members of the Student Life staff at the House of Blues near Fenway Park for a Jazz Brunch.
The Jazz Brunch is Saturday morning, with seatings at 9 or 11 a.m., at the House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St. Tickets are $30. Be sure to call 617-353-3555 to check on availability; barring last-second cancellations, both seatings are full.

Three performances of the Disney musical Beauty and the Beast, by BU’s student group Stage Troupe, will be showing this weekend.
Tickets are $20. The shows, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m., are at the Tsai Performance Center, 685 Commonwealth Ave.

Exercise:
Haven’t seen all that FitRec has to offer? Free tours are being offered all day on Saturday, so check out the lazy river, racquetball courts, and the Olympic-size pool, where Michael Phelps starred in a Subway commercial.
All day Saturday; your full-time student must be with you for entry.

Boston Salsa University, last year’s New Student Organization of the Year, will demonstrate the basic moves and turns of salsa at Salsa Con Piña. Great music and a piña colada bar (with or without alcohol) will keep the mood light and loosen your inhibitions.
The event is at the Howard Thurman Center, GSU lower level, 775 Commonwealth Ave., on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Discussions:
Here’s the place to visit if you want to know what’s really happening in the student community. The Student Union Executive Board will host a panel about issues facing BU students. Topics include advocating for students, getting involved, and the BU community.
The event is at noon on Saturday in the George Sherman Union Conference Auditorium, second floor, 775 Comm. Ave.

Study Abroad:
Attend the International Programs Sidewalk Chat to meet study-abroad participants. Ask about internships, experiences, and travel.
Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the George Sherman Union Plaza, 775 Commonwealth Ave.

Amy Laskowski contributed to this report.

Anna Webster can be reached at annaweb@bu.edu. Amy Laskowski can be reached at amlaskow@bu.edu.