Victoria E. Freile

@vfreile

Meliora Weekend at the University of Rochester this fall will draw some legendary visitors.

The weekend will include a variety of activities — from reunions to family events to concerts and discussions.The weekend, which will take place from Oct. 6 to 9, is a combination of a traditional homecoming and a celebration of a successful fundraising campaign, according to a news release from the University of Rochester. The Meliora Challenge: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, which is set to end on June 30, has already raised $1.3 billion toward research and programs, endowed professorships for faculty, scholarships and fellowships and improvements to UofR facilities and buildings.

Singer Tony Bennett, filmmaker Ken Burns and MSNBC's Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are among the guests scheduled to attend.

“At its core, Meliora Weekend is about Rochester pride and gratitude,” Thomas J. Farrell, senior vice president of University Advancement, said in a news release. “This year brings an exceptional opportunity to celebrate all that we have accomplished together and recognize those whose leadership has carried us this far."

The weekend lineup will include:

• Singer Tony Bennett will perform Saturday, Oct. 8 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

• Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns will take part in a panel discussion with university dean and vice president Paul Burgett at the weekend's Presidential Symposium, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 7.

• MSNBC's Morning Joe hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski will share Meliora Weekend's keynote address on Oct. 8.

• Singer/songwriter Ben Folds will perform a free, outdoor concert for registered guests on Oct. 8. Folds in 2011 worked with the university's all-male a capella group The YellowJackets when they performed on the NBC show, The Sing-Off.

• Comedian Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show, will provide late night entertainment on Oct. 8.

Registration and ticket purchases for Meliora Weekend events will open in July. All of the event, excluding the Tony Bennett concert, will take place on the University of Rochester's River Campus. Further details of the planned events were not released.

VFREILE@Gannett.com