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.

Harvard promoters wanted to ensure that students at The Game had a fun event to attend because Yale hosted tons of parties at last year's Game, according to Michael Cornish '03, one of the student promoters.

"If people are coming, they may as well have fun," Cornish said.

Avalon will charge a reduced admission of $10 to those on a special Harvard-Yale guest list. More than 600 students have signed up on the website list, www.clubinboston.com.

For those staying on campus tonight, the Undergraduate Council is sponsoring a DJ spin-off in Lowell Dining Hall featuring a Harvard DJ, Cameron D. Kirby '02, and a Yale DJ. The event, which will be held from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., costs $5 at the door.

On game day, tailgate parties will flood the athletic fields, parking lots, and Harvard Business School.

Most undergraduate tailgate parties will be in the business school area, while alumni functions will be closer to the field.

The Undergraduate Council will serve free food at its tailgate, courtesy of Harvard Dining Services, but will not serve alcohol, according to James Cornell Coleman '02.

Individual houses, final clubs and other student organizations will also set up tailgates nearby.

The Harvard Alumni Association has planned a pre-game luncheon and post-game cocktails for returning alumni.

In the past, each class had their own events, which led to mass confusion and competition over tent space, according to F. Hoopes Wampler, assistant director for classes and reunions for the Harvard Alumni Association. Several years ago, the alumni association decided to create one large alumni event.

The luncheon and post-game cocktails will be held at the Gordon Track and Field Center. A few classes--including some of the reunion classes--are having their own luncheons at other sites.

Then, of course, is the Game itself. Gates to the parking areas open at 8:30 a.m. and kick-off is at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available throughout the morning at the Murr Center ticket office.

Following the game, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., three Harvard bands and three Yale bands will battle it out in New Leverett courtyard.

"It'll be a great collaboration of student groups," Coleman said.

Each band will perform a 20-minute set before a final face-off.

The music match-ups continue with a capella tomorrow night at 8 p.m. in Sanders Theatre, where the Harvard Krokodiloes and Yale Whiffenpoofs will perform together. Tickets are available in the Holyoke Center Box Office.