Spring Break
Kick-off on the Parkway
Janhavi Purohit, Stephanie Takach, Hannah Alexander
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
|
The event is an effort by the city of Philadelphia to welcome college students back to the community. Held in late September after all Philadelphia college campuses go back into session, the Kick-Off is a medley of music, culture and entertainment designed to showcase Philadelphia's highlights. The event's musical acts included The Ataris, Against Me!, Talib Kweli, and local bands Jealousy Curve, Trouble Everyday, Philly Slick and Beats & Rhymes. Included in the attractions were a TNT Red Bull motocross event with Tommy Clowers and Jeff Tilton.
The main stage this year featured the rock band The Ataris. The band members said they were not immediately aware of the Campus Philly event but learned of it through their agent.
"We heard about Campus Philly Kick-Off when they contacted us through our booking agent and asked if we were interested," singer Kristopher Roe said. "It's a great opportunity to perform for those who haven't seen us. I mean, if anyone needs this, its college students who typically can't afford it."
Roe said the event is a prime place for local talent to shine. "Only the local bands open for us. We tell the organizers to put in three or four of the bands who want it most. And sometimes it works out really well, and we'll get bands where we're like 'Oh wow!'"
Students said they enjoyed the event and the broad range of attractions it offered.
"I think it's a good chance to get acquainted with other schools," Josh Budenz, a freshman majoring in criminal justice said.
The event attracts students of all ages. "It's really cool," Umar Ahmed, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, said. "This is my second year."
"The coat of arms exhibit at the art museum was very interesting," Katie Ringwood, a freshmen majoring in entertainment and arts management said.
The kick-off event coordinated with several museums and cultural institutions including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and National Constitution Center granting free admission with a college ID.
The streets of the Parkway were also lined with booths featuring a variety of organizations, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, PhillyCarShare, and radio stations such as WXPN and WRDW.
CampusPhilly Executive Director Jonathan Herrmann said the event is designed to link students with the city.
"We want the college students in Philadelphia to connect to the city," event coordinator Jon Herrmann, who has been part of the kick-off event staff since it began eight years ago, said. "It's great because the turn out every year is bigger."
Be the first to comment on this story