The Game may simply refer to the football competition, but the weekend preceding Harvard-Yale has become an event in its own right, jam-packed with tailgates, parties, concerts and athletics.

As the eyes of the nation focus on another Harvard-Yale contest--the still-undecided race between Vice President Al Gore '69 and Texas Gov. George W. Bush, Yale Class of 1968--this year's Game festivities will begin long before tomorrow's 12:30 p.m. kickoff.

Today at 5 p.m., the 'Cliffe Notes will kick off the weekend with a short performance at the Adams House Tea in the Apthorp House, behind the Adams courtyard.

The Yale Spizzwinks were supposed to perform as well but had to cancel at the last minute, according to Laura E. Durso '03.

In the first head-to-head athletic competition of the weekend between Harvard and Yale, the men's rugby teams will face off at 7 p.m. on the practice fields next to the JV football field.

"This is one of the few times we're actually at home," said Mike O'Neil '03. "I think people would really enjoy the game. We expect total domination and punishment by us of them."

Later this evening, Avalon, a dance club on Lansdowne Street in Boston, will host its own version of the "Collegiate Challenge."

The club printed up postcards advertising the event. Student promoters traveled to Yale to distribute fliers and spark interest.