A Fall Welcome Celebration highlighted by R&B singer Goapele will take place 6 to 10 p.m. Friday in Serena Plaza, located behind the University Union. The celebration presented by UNIQUE, is in its first year.

“It is a nice welcome to the campus for both new and returning students. They will get a chance to learn about what Sacramento State has to offer outside of the classroom, and it is hoped that this will help to build a sense of campus community,” said Dean Sorensen, University Union program director.

Goapele, whose vocal styling resembles a softer version of Lauryn Hill, has been actively involved in the music industry from an early age, including taking part in the Oakland Youth Choir while in high school as well as the semi-professional music group called Vocal Motion, according to MTV’s Web site.

Goapele’s musical influences include Etta James, Nina Simone, Billy Holiday, Bob Marley, Prince, Miriam Makeba, Zulu Spears and Hugh Masekela, according to the singer’s Web site.

She is currently working on her second album titled “Change it All,” scheduled to be released December 27, 2005.

GOAPELE’S WEB SITE