Fall fest
Rain or shine: an event to remember
By Tracy Lum
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Despite rain showers and overcast skies, Fall Fest was a diverting occasion, drawing students, staff and community members.
A surprising number of people gathered earlier in the afternoon on the Sojka Lawn. While some came to bounce on the inflatables, craft spin-art Frisbees and tie-dye T-shirts, others came out to watch the student band, Public Safety.
In front of Sojka Pavillion, Public Safety played an assortment of 1990s cover songs, including “No Rain” by Blind Melon. They delivered a solid set with a mix between musical artist Mika and band The Darkness.
Darren Mastropaolo ’08 performed on the side stage. Singing mellow lyrics and strumming his acoustic guitar, Mastropaolo enchanted a mild-mannered crowd seated on the Sojka Lawn. His folk-influenced tunes were a soothing alternative to the electric-infused rock following his act on the main stage.
Giants of Science took the stage as the rain changed from a drizzle to an outright shower. A few dozen students gathered on the lawn with plates of food while others opted to observe beneath the shelter of the Sojka roof.
The band played a medley of cover songs, like “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Walk Like an Egyptian,” “Paralyzer” and “Don’t Stop Believin,’” increasing the tempo and adjusting the synthesizer to match their upbeat, punk style.
While many students sang along to the classic songs, others couldn’t muster the energy to dance.
The dreary atmosphere transformed once Reel Big Fish appeared—first on the lawn to watch Giants of Science perform and sign autographs and then on stage to entertain the throngs of people. Students endured the downpour to see the band up close. It was well worth it.
Reel Big Fish spared no energy, pouring all of their enthusiasm and vigor into every lyric and every chord. They danced jigs, jumped around the platform and told explicit jokes to the crowd.
Most of their comments were absurd and provoking, but somehow successful in engaging the audience. They did everything to make the audience forget about the drenching rain.
And forget they did.
“I thought the festivities were good, but I went mostly for the concert, and it didn’t disappoint. Amazing,” Ashton Temchulla ’11 said.
Other students said they thought the rain prevented the success of Fall Fest.
“I think the Fall Fest is a little boring since there is no interaction at all between the band and the crowd,” said Si Thu Latt ’11, who only stayed for the opening bands because of the rain.
“People seem to be doing their own stuff. I do think that it [would] be a great event if there [was] no rain. The food is really good,” Latt said.
Groups in the crowd began to “skank,” a term meaning dancing to ska music by kicking and punching the air. Others attempted to create a mosh pit and crowd surf while Reel Big Fish played.
Reel Big Fish performed “Another Day in Paradise,” “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Somebody Hates Me.” At one point, they broke into a disco rift and incorporated their own version of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” into their hit “She Has a Girlfriend Now.” It was clear band members were whole-heartedly committed to their performance and genuinely enjoyed performing.
