AMERICUS — The Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) Hurricane Club is gearing up for a big weekend of “fun-raising” for GSW Athletics. Club President Steve Nelson is anxiously waiting for what will be the culmination of many months’ planning. “We decided to think outside the box this year and try some events that would be new and different. Hopefully this will be the first of many good weekends for us,” he said.

The festivities will kick off Friday night with the Hurricane Hula Beach Party featuring the music of the Swingin' Medallions. Doors will open at 6 p.m. at the GSW Storm Dome and the band will take the stage at 8 p.m. for the first of three one-hour sets. The Swingin’ Medallions, dubbed the “Party Band of the South,” are widely known for their high-energy shows that bring entertainment to the masses on the waves of beach music. Their most noted song is “Double Shot” (of My Baby’s Love), and it they recently shared a performance of this song on stage with Bruce Springsteen.

To round out the weekend, the Hurricane Club will be hosting the first annual Hurricane Hold 'Em Poker Tournament on Saturday. This will be a Texas Hold ‘Em-style tournament with a Hurricane spin. The first hand will be dealt at 11 a.m. on at the historic Windsor Hotel in downtown Americus. The grand prize winner will receive a two-night stay at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., and a $200 gas card for the trip. The runner-up will receive a football autographed by the UGA Bulldogs.

So how can you get in on the excitement? General admission tickets for the concert are $15 and are available on the GSW bookstore Web site, at The Maze in downtown Americus or at the GSW Athletic Department. Student tickets are $10 and are available at the GSW Athletics Department. All tickets will also be on sale at the door Friday night.

A $100 donation will reserve you a seat at the poker table on Saturday. Simply download and complete a registration form available on the GSW Athletics web site. Players can bring their registration forms and donations to the GSW Athletic Department before 4 p.m. Friday or registration may be completed on site the day of the tournament.

According to Nelson, all proceeds from both events will benefit GSW Athletics. “If you haven’t seen Georgia Southwestern in a while, you need to come out. The facilities are great, but the student-athletes are even better, he said. “The Hurricanes are competing in a top-notch NCAA Division II conference, and we are doing our best to support them in their efforts. So come have some fun with us and meet the student-athletes who are depending on you.”

For more information, visit www.gswcanes.com or call 931-2222.