Finals

The Round-Up is going to decrease it's activity for the finals period. I am but one man... with a lot of essays. Stay tuned as the blog may still highlight a few events as the year comes to an end.

Also, there will still be things happening this summer. If you're staying on campus, keep coming here and we'll keep you in the know.

Weekend Round-Up: Galas, More Earth Week, More Mason Week

By Student Media Freelancer Aram Zucker-Scharff, GMU Events Round-Up

Well, it has been a huge week event wise with a lot of events going on. The week is winding down, but there is still plenty to do. Except for on Sunday, there ain't a lot to do on Sunday. *Shrugz*

 

Friday (Apr. 25)

• Gospel According to the Simpsons [Campus Ministries] - 3 p.m. @ JC 3rd Floor, Room C - The GMU Lutherans watch another episode of the Simpsons to discuss. Bring your lunch, a copy of the book is not required.


• International Students Explore Arlington: O'Sullivan's [Arlington] - 5 to 7 p.m. @ Original Building, 2nd Floor Lobby - "Get to know fellow international students and explore all that Arlington has to offer. Treat yourself to a drink or snack every month at a new restaurant in the Arlington area!"


• The Official After Mason Day Luau [Mason Week] - 6 p.m. @ Mason Pond - Free food, DJ, Karaoke, hula dancers, games and prizes. There will also be a costume contest for the most luau spirit. Come end off Mason Week with this fun event.


• King Corn [Earth Week] - 6 to 9 p.m. @ SUB2 Ballroom - Check out this Earth Week film in which two recent college graduates follow an acre of corn from seed to dinner plate.


• No Country for Old Men [Cinema] - 6 and 9 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Check out this award winning movie about a drug deal gone bad and the resulting drama of a cat-and-mouse chase.


• Passover Shabbat Dinner [Jewish] - 6:15 to 9 p.m. @ SUB1 B,C - Come grab some kosher for Passover food at this fun event.


• The Volgenau School Awards Gala - 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. @ Dewberry Hall - Free to all, The Volgenau School of Information Technology & Engineering is having a gala in the JC, check it out.


• Empowerment Through Extremity Fest [Music] - 7 to 11:59 p.m. @ JC Bistro - The GMU Independent Arts Collective and Detournemont Productions bring "an embrace of experimental music and creative expression" to campus at $10 a ticket. Check it out to hear some very experimental music. Bands to play include: Violet, Silvum, Social Junk, A.M. Salad, Amrita K. Dang, Kakerlak, Caustic Castle, Twilight Memories of the Three Suns, Pastures, and wm. mansfield.


• Rugby v. American [Athletics] - 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. @ Intramural Field - Go out to support the Rugby team in their last game of the school year. With a record of 2 and 2, this is an opportunity for Mason's first winning season of Rugby.


• The Late Night Players Sketch Comedy [EFF] - 9 to 11 p.m. @ JC Atrium - Free Pizza at this event showcasing a three man sketch comedy group from Boston.

 

Saturday (Apr. 26)

• Softball v. JMU [Athletics] - 12 and 2 p.m. @ GMU Stadium - Support your fellow students as they go head to head with JMU.


• Sci-Fi Film Festival [Cinema] - 1:30 @ JC Cinema - This weekend get your sci-fi fix at the JC Cinema. Saturday starts off with "2001: A Space Odyssey."


• Andrea Lively on Violin [Music] - 4 p.m. @ Concert Hall, Grand Tier III - Free music at this student recital. Check out the other student recitals today.


• Breakfamous [Pacific American Heritage] - 5 to 11 p.m. @ JC Bistro - Check out this performance by Mason's break dance group.


• Free Play - 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. @ Corner Pocket - Free Pool and other games at Mason's new game room, Corner Pocket.


• Eric Vitoff and Ellen Cherry [Live@Damon's] - 8 to 11 p.m. @ Mason Damon's - Mason's own Eric Vitoff is joined by fellow guitarist Maryland's Ellen Cherry.

 

Sunday (Apr. 27)

• Washington Bridal Showcase - 11 to 6 p.m. @ Patriot Center - Tickets to this event are $8 to $10.


• Kosher for Passover Food and Games [Jewish] - 1 to 3 p.m. @ SUB1 Room A - Snacks and board games for all at this kosher for Passover event.


• Sci-Fi Film Festival [Cinema] - 2:30 @ JC Cinema - This weekend get your sci-fi fix at the JC Cinema. Sunday ends off with "2010: The Year We Make Contact."


• Free Play - 5 to 9 p.m. @ Corner Pocket - Free Pool and other games at Mason's new game room, Corner Pocket.


• Measure for Measure [GMU Players] - 8 p.m. @ Performing Arts Building, 1st floor, TheaterSpace - If you have not seen it already, check out this Sunday's performance of Measure for Measure

The Next Big Thing: Mason Week [Massive Events]

By Student Media Freelancer Aram Zucker-Scharff, GMU Events Round-Up

If you are thinking that there sure are a lot of posts today, you'd be right. But there is a reason! This week is the biggest week on campus, and at the center of it all is the biggest day on campus.

Mason Day.


Yea, that's right, it is big and it is back.

Mason Day, this Thursday, 4/24, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., has two stages, each with a great lineup, the main stage and the WGMU Local Bands stage.

Plenty of free food will be there as well, with an increased budget, Mason Day has hot dogs and hamburgers and veggie burgers for all. Also look out for munchies from T.T. Reynolds catering.

The main stage will host a total of four bands.

Kidz in the Hall, a hip hop group, will be there, no doubt they will be playing some tracks from their soon to be released May 13 album "The In Crowd." However, you better hope that they focus on their older work (a classic hip-hop sound), if the MySpace track from their new album is any indication, it's not very good.

Tyga, is a pop-style rap artist. His traveling with Gym Class Heroes is no surprise, as he's the cousin of Travie, their lead vocalist. However, despite the relationship, Tyga has made his mark with his own notable single "Coconut Juice."

I Am The Avalanche, is one band in group touring with Gym Class Heroes. In a lineup of Rap and Hip-Hop these Brooklyn artists stand out as an indie punk-rock group. This five-piece band has yet to put out their sophomore album, but still has plenty of fans. Their unique sound has a good mix of speed, rock, punk and some emo.

At 6:15 p.m. comes the big artist, Gym Class Heroes. Yea, you know them, with such songs as Clothes Off and, of course, Cupids Chokehold, that's the song that goes "take a look at my girlfriend." This is the hip-hop group with a sense of humor and it shows in their music, which can be clever and, at times, ironic. Their songs cover all sorts of topics, ranging as far as MySpace. With a number of music influences apparent in their music, Gym Class Heroes has a unique sound that will be the highlight of Mason Day.

Keep in mind, the big names are not the only bands around, check out the WGMU stage as well, with some great local bands. (Check out their music through the links below.)

• 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. -- Square Trio (Jazz/Rock)


• 11:50 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. -- No Compromise (Rock)


• 12:25 to 12:35 p.m. -- Jason Cerda (R&B/Hip Hop)


• 12:40 to 1:10 p.m. -- Kill Ketura (Alt Rock/Electronic)


• 1:25 to 1:55 p.m. -- NUMA (Hard Rock)


• 2:10 to 2:40 p.m. -- Poor Mans Lobster (Funk/Blues/Reggae)


• 2:45 to 2:55 p.m. --Jason Cerda (R&B/Hip Hop)


• 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. -- Free Money (Melodic Progressive)

Mason Day Times may be subject to change.

Of course, Mason is too big for just one day, Mason Week is more then a few bands.

• Tuesday Jams features Shwa - 4:30 p.m. @ Jazzman's


• Screen on the Green - Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. @ JC Atrium - See "The Story of Stuff" followed by "Enchanted."


• Field Day - Wednesday, 12 to 4 p.m., @ North Plaza - Free food, prizes, fun games, and the opportunity to dunk your fellow students.

Then Mason Week finishes off with the After-Mason Day Luau - Friday, 6 to 9 p.m. @ Mason Pond - This will be the first Official Luau, transforming Mason Pond into "a tropical paradise with Hawaiian-style buffet, luau-themed games, sizzling hot music, and live hula dancers." The games include, Limbo, Water Balloon Toss, Hula Hoop, Tug of War, Relay Race, Karaoke and plenty more to do. There will be a prize for the best luau-appareled male and female.

Alert: Screen on the Green Moved Due to Rain

Due to rain, the Screen on the Green event has now been moved to the JC Atrium @ 7:30.

Mid-Week Round-Up: Massive Edition

By Student Media Freelancer Aram Zucker-Scharff, GMU Events Round-Up

The biggest things you'll see on campus this semester are coming at you this week: Mason Week and Earth Week, both with a huge number of events.

Earth Week centers around Tuesday's Earth Day, with more movies, events, and talks then I could get to in one blog post. So check out the special Earth Day Edition of the Mid-Week Round-Up!

Then, of course, there's Mason Week, which is centered around Mason Day, usually the biggest event to hit campus in a semester. This year's highlight is a performance by Gym Class Heroes. Stay tuned for a special preview post of Mason Week events coming to you here.

Tuesday (Apr. 22) - Earth Day!

• Earth Day Films and Discussions [Earth Week] - 10 to 3:30 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Check out a big line up of Earth-related movies and discuss them with students and experts.


• Prince William Mason Day [PW] [Mason Week] - 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Bull Run Hall - Enjoy free "fun, food, and games" in the Atrium and behind Bull Run Hall.


• Transportation and Sustainability Fair [Earth Week] - 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. @ North Plaza - Check out this fair today for bike maps and other information related to Mason Day and Earth Day. Check out booths from the Sierra Club, Traveling Bike Museum, SDS, and plenty more.


• Kilowatt Ours [Earth Week] - 12 to 12:45 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Introduction by Dr. Susie Crate. Check out this movie, a 45 min. documentary about coal power and increasing household efficiency.


• Botanical Tours of Campus [Earth Week] - 12:05 to 1 p.m. @ Krug Hall, Rm 15 - This event looks to be plenty of fun. Environmental Science Professor Andrea Weeks takes students on a botanical walking tour of campus, checking out all the plants that grow on Mason's campus.


• Softball v. North Carolina Central [Athletics] - 3 to 4 p.m. @ George Mason Stadium - Game 1 of a doubleheader.


• Earth Day Celebration & Awards [Earth Week] - 3:30 to 5:15 @ North Plaza - Earth Day comes to the fore at this event. There is a Bike Rally and a presentation of awards and prizes for the Energy Competition and for Bike to Mason Day. There will be a number of speakers, including: Mason's Chief of Staff Tom Hennessey, Provost Peter Stearns, Chairman Gerry Connolly, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Mason's role as an agent of conservation will be a big topic.


• Shwa [Tuesday Jams] - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.@ JC Jazzman's - This lyrical artist from Pa. garnered an editor's pick from The Washington Post in 2005 and has gotten plenty of play on local and satellite radio. Check out his fine vocal melodies and off-beat relaxed sound.


• Softball v. North Carolina Central [Athletics] - 5 to 6 p.m. @ George Mason Stadium - Game 2 of a doubleheader.


• Screen on the Green: "The Story of Stuff" and "Enchanted" [Earth Week] - 5 or 7:30 to 10 p.m. @ President Park Moved to JC Atrium - I'm unsure if this starts at 7:30 or 5 p.m.. Watch "The Story of Stuff", a tour of the costs of consumer culture, from iPods to resource extraction. Followed by "Enchanted."


• A Night of Broadway [Music] - 8 to 10 p.m. @ Harris Theatre - The University Chorale brings a night of broadway melodies, featurings songs from Rogers & Hammerstein, Sweeney Todd, Guys and Dolls, and plenty more. Free!

Wednesday (Apr. 23)

• Town Hall Meeting [Earth Week] - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. @ SUB2 Ballroom - A conversation on conservation with Dr. Tony Cortese of Second Nature and Mason's Sustainability Council Members.


• Field Day [Mason Week] - 12 to 4 p.m. @ North Plaza - Free food and fun events. Come for the opportunity to get prizes while playing Twisler, Giant Chess, Speed Pits, Basketball, and getting the opportunity to drop your fellow students in the dunk tank.


• Election 2008 Roundtable [Arlington] - 12 to 1 p.m. @ Original Building, Rm 268 - Join Professors Michael Fauntroy, Jeremy Mayer and Mark Rozell to discuss the Pennsylvania primary.


• Banks That Don't Lend? [Arlington] - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. @ Hazel Hall, Mercatus Center Board Room - Mercatus Center Brown Bag Lecture on Unlocking Credit to Spur Growth in Developing Countries. Presented by International Business and Affairs' Reid W. Click.


• Baseball v. Radford [Athletics] - 3 to 4 p.m. @ Spuhler Field - Support our Baseball team!


• Native Plant Rescue and Relocation [Earth Week] - 3 to 4 p.m. @ Corner of Patriot Circle and Rivanna River Way - Dig and plant.


• Beaufort [Israel] - 6 to 9:30 p.m. @ Bistro - The 2007 Oscar nominated film chronicling the daily routine of a group of IDF soldiers at the end of the South Lebanon conflict. Refreshments will be served.


• Healthy Body, Healthy Planet [Earth Week] - 7 to 10 p.m. @ Hanover Hall - Hear why having a healthy body and a healthy planet is important. Find out how to do both. Snacks provided!


• It's Not Easy Being Green [Earth Week] - 7:30 to 10 p.m. @ Shenandoah Tiered Seminar Room - Guest speakers, interactive boots, prizes and free food. Bring two empty eater bottles for recycling and get a new full bottle.

 

Thursday (Apr. 24)

• Mason Day Campus Clean-Up [Earth Week] - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. @ North Plaza Clock Tower - Clean the campus before you get your party on.


• Asian Pacific American Heritage Lunch [Pacific American Heritage] -11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. @ Ciao Hall - Mason's Ciao Hall brings you Asian foods and music.


• Mason Day! [Mason Week] - 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. @ Lot L - Gym Class Heroes is the highlight of this event, they go on at 6:15 p.m., however they are not all that is going on during Mason Day. Opening for Gym Class Heroes, on the main stage, are Kidz in the Hall, Tyga, and I Am Avalanche. Don't forget the WGMU's local stage, with plenty of amazing local bands, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.


• Beyond Schumpeter vs. Arrow: How Antitrust Fosters Innovation [Arlington] - 12 to 1:30 p.m. @ Original Building, Rm. 268 - Technology, Science and Innovation Policy Research seminar presented by Jonathan Baker, of American University and Washington School of Law.


• Banshun or "Late Spring" [Pacific American Heritage] [Cinema] - 6 to 8 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Check out this Yasujiro Ozu film about post-war Japanese life. Followed by a discussion with Japanese film critic Michael Jeck.


• CSI at Mason - Mock Trial - 7:30 to 10 p.m. @ Innovation Hall, Rm. 103 - Mock trial of US Gov't v. Chapman, "A mock trial for a capital crime." Presented by Forensic DNA Analysis students.


• Measure for Measure [GMU Players] - 8 to 10 p.m. @ Performing Arts Building, First Floor, TheatreSpace - See the opening night of Shakespeare's "problem play" performed by the GMU players on an eco-friendly stage. $8 for Students, limited number of Free GMU Student tickets.


• Margot at the Wedding [Cinema] - 9 p.m. @ JC Cinema - No Joke, the plot keyword for this movie on IMDB is "Bare Breasts." Beyond that the plot is apparently about a wedding and family secrets. Notable actors include Nicole Kidman and Jack Black.

Mid-Week Round-Up: Earth Day Edition

By Student Media Freelancer Aram Zucker-Scharff, GMU Events Round-Up

Wow, there is plenty to do this week. We have three major events all colliding this week. Asian Pacific American Heritage month continues. But that's the least of what is going on. The biggest things you'll see on campus this semester look like Mason Week and Earth Week, both with a huge number of events.

Earth Week centers around Tuesday's Earth Day, with more movies, events, and talks then I could get to in one blog post.

Tuesday (Apr. 22) - Earth Day!

• Bike to Mason Day Arrivals [Earth Week] - 7 to 10 a.m. @ North Plaza - Those who bike to campus today get a free breakfast outside of the JC.


• Radiant City Film and Discussion [Earth Week] - 10 to 11:55 a.m. @ JC Cinema - Radiant City, a full-length mockumentary about suburban development will be shown. "It educates the viewer on the source of urban sprawl and about the social issues it causes, while poking fun at a typical family who has moved into a 'development' in the 'burbs." At 11:35 a.m. the movie ends and a discussion on the topic of the movie begins.


• Transportation and Sustainability Fair [Earth Week] - 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. @ North Plaza - Check out this fair today for bike maps and other information related to Mason Day and Earth Day. Check out booths from the Sierra Club, Traveling Bike Museum, SDS, and plenty more.


• Kilowatt Ours [Earth Week] - 12 to 12:45 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Introduction by Dr. Susie Crate. Check out this movie, a 45 min. documentary about coal power and increasing household efficiency.


• Botanical Tours of Campus [Earth Week] - 12:05 to 1 p.m. @ Krug Hall, Rm 15 - This event looks to be plenty of fun. Environmental Science Professor Andrea Weeks takes students on a botanical walking tour of campus, checking out all the plants that grow on Mason's campus.


• Fighting Goliath: Texas Coal Wars [Earth Week] - 12:45 to 1:20 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Zack Fields introduces this short movie on the politics behind the fight to turn the nation away from fossil fuels, with a focus on grassroots advocacy.


• Fighting Goliath, Kilowatt Ours, Discussion With the Experts [Earth Week] - 1 to 2 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Discuss the last two Earth Day movies with Dr. Susie Crate, Zack Fields, Dr. Allison Macfarlane and Tom Owens.


• Mountain Mourning [Earth Week] - 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Kayti Wingfield of the Sierra Club introduces this movie about how blowing up the top of mountains scars the environment.


• Softball v. North Carolina Central [Athletics] - 3 to 4 p.m. @ George Mason Stadium - Game 1 of a doubleheader.


• Earth Day Celebration & Awards [Earth Week] - 3:30 to 5:15 @ North Plaza - Earth Day comes to the fore at this event. There is a Bike Rally and a presentation of awards and prizes for the Energy Competition and for Bike to Mason Day. There will be a number of speakers, including: Mason's Chief of Staff Tom Hennessey, Provost Peter Stearns, Chairman Gerry Connolly, and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Mason's role as an agent of conservation will be a big topic.


• Green Social [Earth Week] - 5 to 7 p.m. @ Mason Damon's Grill - Network with other green-minded faculty, staff and students.


• Screen on the Green: "The Story of Stuff" and "Enchanted" [Earth Week] - 5 or 7:30 to 10 p.m. @ President Park Moved to JC Atrium - I'm unsure if this starts at 7:30 or 5 p.m.. Watch "The Story of Stuff", a tour of the costs of consumer culture, from iPods to resource extraction. Followed by "Enchanted."

EarthFest [What You Missed]

This past Saturday was EarthFest a large scale event on campus with low attendance. The event, promoting Earth Day and conservation went off on a very nice day, complete with sun and fairly good weather.

I was there filming for ConnectMason, so if you saw the guy with the big camera, that was me.

There were great performances by Colin Healy and the Jetskis, Shapiro, The Speaks, Square Trio, Everyone But Pete, BOB, and Mambo Sauce

The event's activity highlight was an organic pie-eating contest along with a few stands and vendors all along the SUB1 Quad center-walkway.

The event was also notable for its speakers. First came the enthusiastic Gerry Connolly, whose speech was short. However, it was notable in that (and I don't think anyone was listening, otherwise there would have been some serious discomfort) Connolly essentially stated that any damage to the environment caused by Bush was was Nader's fault, because it was Nader who gave Bush the election in Florida.

Next came Nader himself, a bitter ghost of a man. He appeared after lurking in the corner and signing books and took the podium to talk about his standard fare. He had a spooky bit about how our lives are being taken over by screens and that we all spent too much time on our cell phones. As I said, the guy looked and sounded like a creep.

Thankfully the aged Nader was both preceded and followed by some great music by local bands. The event was worthwhile to attend if only for their great performances.

Here's the slideshow I built for ConnectMason for some photos from me and another student and some of the music.

EarthFest and Admissions [Photos]

There was plenty to do this weekend, but the two biggest events were the sunny EarthFest (except for Nader's perpetually gloomy disposition) and the hundreds of accepted students who pushed through the rain into Sunday's admissions event. Oh, and it was Passover too.

Amalgamation Reception [Art]

This Monday, the event to look for is the opening night reception of the Amalgamation art show, right here, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Mason's Fine Arts building, first floor, Fine Arts Gallery.

The show involves Senior Project BA/BFA work in multiple mediums. It features work from:

Skippy Armstrong
Jennifer Bradbury
Ivan Collich
Hanako Davidson
Deirdre Forgoine
Danish Jamil
Ryan McCoy
Daniel Rioja
Julie Schneider

Even if it is only for a little while, you should support your fellow students and check out this sure-to-be-cool show.


Check out the Facebook event!

EarthFest [Sponsors]

The event of the day is EarthFest, running from 2 to 10 p.m. in the SUB1 Quad.

This event, supporting the planet during Earth Week, includes plenty of green activities to salve your conscience while you up the noise pollution with a line-up of good music, including:

Colin Healy and the Jetskis

Shapiro

The Speaks

Square Trio

Everyone But Pete

BOB

Mambo Sauce

Oh, and don't forget, Ralph Nader is showing up to have his say too.

Join the Facebook group!

Interested in making your event a sponsored event? You get a blog post and a special notation on our blog's Google Calendar! Contact us, and see your name in the GMU Round-up.

UBER Film Festival [Cinema]

Today's event of note would have to be the UBER Film Festival. Check out the student-film festival tonight at 6 or 9 p.m. in the JC Cinema.

UBER will be filled with student short-film submissions of about 20 minutes each and can be about any subject. The films are then shown and judged by professors and peers. Creative Mason students stand out in this event, it is not to be missed.

Join the Facebook event!

Weekend Round-up: Bringing Music to the Earth

By Student Media Freelancer Aram Zucker-Scharff, GMU Event Roundup

This weekend's biggest event is EarthFest, but that's not the only music on campus for the next three days. As the semester comes to an end, you have the opportunity to hear some of Mason's finest music majors and their professors perform in their student recitals. Look below to see the ones on-campus.  While on the subject of student creations: don't forget the Uber Film Festival, on the Cinema Series this weekend.

Friday (Apr. 18)

• Amanda Cook Plays Flute [Music] - 3 p.m. @ Harris Theatre - Student Amanda Cook is playing for free, support her and take some time out of the day to stop by this student recital.


• Gospel According to the Simpsons [Campus Ministries] - 3 p.m. @ JC 3rd Floor, Room C - The GMU Lutherans watch another episode of the Simpsons to discuss. Bring your lunch, a copy of the book is not required.


• Baseball v. James Madison [Athletics] - 3 to 5 p.m. @ Spuhler Field - Mason students free with an ID. Root for our team as they go toe to toe, or bat to bat, with JMU.


• Uber Film Festival [Cinema] - 6 and 9 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Mason's student film festival. Students enter twenty minute short films to be judged by professors and peers. Creative Mason students stand out in this event, it is not to be missed. If you miss it tonight, check it out Saturday night.


• Candid Yak [Lit] - 8 to 10 p.m. @ Prose House, Fairfax - Normally I wouldn't line up an off-campus event, but Prose House isn't too far, and I am a sucker for literary events. Candid Yak is the student reading series for Mason's MFA Creative Writing students. If you have the time to check it out, it should be a good time.


• Spring Concert [Dance] - 8 to 10 p.m. @ Harris Theatre - See Mason students perform! If you miss it Friday, same time Saturday.


• Live Music [EFF] - 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. @ JC Atrium - This should be a live music slot for EFF, but I'm not sure what is happening, the website still has this session marked as TBA.

 

Saturday (Apr. 19)

• Baseball v. James Madison [Athletics] -2 p.m. @ Spuhler Field - Mason students free with an ID. Root for our team as they go toe to toe, or bat to bat, with JMU.


• Spring Ball v. Radford [Athletics] - 2 p.m. @ Robinson Field - Mason's footballers take on Radford in this week's big game.


• EarthFest [Student Media] - 1 to 10 p.m. @ SUB1 Quad - The biggest event this weekend, EarthFest brings you plenty of good music, free stuff, and Ralph Nader. This event may be 'unsafe at any speed,' but it lets your inner-Earth show through. Check it out. 


• Steak Night at Ciao Hall [Dining] - 4:30 to 8 p.m. @ Ciao Hall - For those of you Ciao Hall aficionados, tonight is the night you eat real meat! 


• Gamma Phi Beta Casino Night [Greek] - 7 to 10 p.m. @ Bistro - This is your opportunity to gamble on campus all night long, and no matter what happens, everyone wins. Money from the event goes to the charities Campfire USA and Children's Hospital. Even better, there's a chance at the grand prize - an 8gig iPod Touch.

 

Sunday (Apr. 20)

• Yard Fest 2008 [Admissions] - 1 to 4 p.m. @ SUB1 Quad - Spring Preview meets Student Orgs. Come to support your student groups, leave with free stuff.


• Chamber Music [Music] - 3 to 5 p.m. @ Harris Theatre - Free to students, the music department brings you the GMU Chamber Ensembles for a great set of music.


• Second Night Passover Seder [Jewish] - 6 to 8 p.m. @ SUB2 Ballroom - Celebrate Passover with Hillel! Now is the time to check out what Passover food can be beyond the matzah. Don't forget to RSVP right away.


• Katara Wright Plays Viola [Music] - 6 p.m. @ Concert Hall, Grand Tier III - Student Katara Wright is playing for free, support her and take some time out of the day to stop by this student recital.


• Faculty Artist Series [Music] - 7 p.m. @ Harris Theatre - Anna Balakerskaia and Friends play for all at Harris Theatre. Check out this faculty performance. 


• Jesse Guessford Faculty Recital [Music] - 8 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Jesse Guessford shows off his composition to all. Stop by and lend an ear. 

Seesaws and College Politicians [Photos]

It was a great week, if you missed out, there were seesaws for charity, singers, elected officials and a debate. That was only the tip of the iceberg, but here are some photos!

New Student President and Vice President

Congratulations to Zack and Claire, our new student body president and vice president! I look forward to good things from them.

They beat Anna and Katie by a mere nine points.

See the full story at Connect Mason.

Covering Live: CDs and CRs Debate in JC

Live Blog, from Connect Mason.

Sophia Bass Performs Pt. 2

At this very moment I am in the JC Jazzman's listening to Sophia Bass, a talented high school senior.

Part two of Sophia Bass's performance begins with a brand new song, "Why Do We Wait" which she wrote "yesterday." For a completely new song it is very polished and it is apparent that Bass really knows what she's doing.

Bass is doing another cover and playing it excellently, it's apparent that she can handle her own work and others' without a problem.

She's now playing "Someone Else," a song with "a lot of picking" which she is doing very well, the sound is excellent.

If you missed Sophia Bass, she'll be here again, this time with her whole band, at the Mason Damon's Grill on May 3, 8-11 p.m. My advice is that you head over there next time she's on campus, Sophia Bass is not to be missed.

Here are some recordings from her performance. [Recordings redacted at request of artist.]

You can hear more on her MySpace page or through iTunes.

WGMU Rocks the Bistro [Sponsors]

Today's event of note is WGMU Rocks the Bistro. Mason's radio station brings local performers and more to JC's Bistro.

Students should check out the event and be prepared to rock hard.

Join the Facebook group!

Interested in making your event a sponsored event? You get a blog post and a special notation on our blog's Google Calendar! Contact us, and see your name in the GMU Round-up.

Sophia Bass Performs Pt. 1 [LIVE]

I'm here right now in the JC Jazzman's listening to Sophia Bass perform her own song "Take Me Away" and I have to wonder what exactly she is doing here. Admittedly, this is the first Tuesday Jams I've been to, but she seems way too good to be in this hole. Especially with "Discovery Channel" filtering in from the WGMU booth next door.

No joke she is really excellent. I wish I had been here earlier because Sophia Bass is a pleasure to listen to.

She's got a pretty good drummer, Charles Mitchel, with her too and he integrates well into her music.

Bass is really good, the tones and the melody are all excellent and soothing. There's a great rhythm, you can see some of the people here nodding or foot-tapping along with it. The song lyrics are really good as well.

She's ended up the first half with an excellent Iron & Wine cover.

[Sorry for the crappy photo, my camera does not work very well in low light.]

GMU Mid-Week Roundup: Elections Week (4/15 - 4/16)

By Student Media Freelancer Aram Zucker-Scharff, from GMU Events Round-Up.

The highlight of this week is the student government election. But just because you must finally pick a candidate (Don't forget to check your e-mail for the link to vote!) doesn't mean you can't be having fun as well.

 

Tuesday (Apr. 15)

• Innovations - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. @ Dewberry Hall - The Innovations celebration returns to showcase the best and the brightest at George Mason University.


• Résumé Clinic [Arlington] - 3 to 4:30 p.m. @ Truland Building, Room 530 - The Institute for Conflict Analysis & Resolution brings Arlington students the opportunity to polish those résumés.


• Research Workshop I [Writing Center] - 3 to 4:30 p.m. @ Robinson Hall, Room A114 - "How to Evaluate, Document, and Cite Sources." Got some free time? This workshop will get you in-shape for those end-of-the-semester essays.


• Sophia Bass Performs [Tuesday Jams] - 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. @ JC Jazzman's Café - This Indie/Acoustic/Pop singer, born in Fairfax, Va., is an original composer with experience in Classical, Jazz, and Latin composition.  "Sophia Bass won First Place for Rock and Second Place for Pop in the 2007 Mid Atlantic Song Contest by the Songwriters Association of Washington." Her tunes are soft but strong, and full of melody. But don't take my word for it, check out her MySpace page.


• SHADYA [Project Nur] [Arlington] - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. @ Truland Building, Room 555 - "Muslim Girl, Israeli Citizen, World Karate Champion." Director Ron Westler's movie about Israeli Arab Shadya Zoabi's coming-of-age. Concludes with a dialogue on the challenges that Arab Feminists face, moderated by Manar Fawakhry.


• WGMU Rocks the Bistro [Student Media] - 9 to 11 p.m. @ Bistro - WGMU, Mason's radio station, brings local performers to you in this third installment of Rocks the Bistro.

 

Wednesday (Apr. 16)

• VT Memorial and Ribbon Ceremony [SGA] - 7 to 9 a.m. @ George Mason Statue/SUB1 Quad/North Plaza - April 16 is the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting. Student Government is leading a number of remembrance events on Wednesday, starting at the George Mason statue and eventually spreading out to the North Plaza and SUB1 Quad.


• Tire Inflation Day - 7:30 to 10 a.m. @ Research I on York River Road - Have your car tires checked for pressure and wear and let TireVan technicians perform the necessary patches. This event is open to all faculty, staff and students.


• Virginia Tech Remembrance [SGA] - 12 p.m. @ JC Atrium - This event will feature speakers President Alan Merten and SG President Drew Shelnutt. It will also have a moment of silence and an opportunity to sign a pledge against violence.


• Film: Kite Runner [PW] - 12 to 5 p.m. @ Verizon Auditorium - Prince William presents the film Kite Runner. Free popcorn!


• Research Workshop II [Writing Center] - 12:30 to 2 p.m. @ Robinson Hall, Room A114 - "Summarizing, Quoting and Paraphrasing" Got some free time? This second workshop will also get you in-shape for those end-of-the-semester essays.


• Softball - Mason v. Georgetown [Athletics] - 3 p.m. @ George Mason Stadium - "Game 1 of a doubleheader. $5; $2; Mason students free w/ID."


• Softball - Mason v. Georgetown [Athletics] - 5 p.m. @ George Mason Stadium - "Game 2 of a doubleheader. $5; $2; Mason students free w/ID."


• Mason Modern Music Ensemble [Music] - 8 p.m. @ Concert Hall Grand Tier III - M3E performs modern music for the masses.

 

Thursday (Apr. 16)

• College Republicans v. College Democrat [SA] - 12 to 1:30 p.m. @ JC Atrium - The CDs and the CRs face off over the War in Iraq, Illegal Immigration, Taxes, United Nations, Social Issues, Healthcare and Gun Control.


• Research Workshop III [Writing Center] - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. @ Robinson Hall, Room A114 - "Making your Research Paper Flow." Got some free time? This third workshop will also get you in-shape for those end-of-the-semester essays.


• The Three Villages of the Hidden Fortress [Cinema Series] [Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month]- 6 p.m. @ JC Cinema - Free to students, check out Akira Kurosawa's award winning story of two greedy peasants, a princess and a general. You may recognize elements of the plot, as George Lucas cited it as an inspiration for Star Wars.


• Grad Student Social [PW] - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. @ Bull Run Hall Atrium, 2nd Floor - Join fellow Grad Students at Prince William.


• Search for Chametz [Jewish] - 7 p.m. @ SUB1 - "A campus-wide scavenger hunt and free pizza." The Jewish Student Association kicks off the Passover season by taking the traditional hunt for leavened bread and taking it campus wide.


• CSI Night [AdJ] - 7:20 p.m. @ SUBII, Room 5 - "Experience the reality of crime scene investigation through graphic presentations of cases and lab equipment by Fairfax County Police Detectives." Sounds good enough to skip SPIKE's regular CSI mini-marathons.


• Spring Concert [Dance] - 8 to 10 p.m. @ Harris Theatre - See Mason's students dance.


• Margot at the Wedding [Cinema Series] - 9 p.m. @ JC Cinema - No joke, the plot keyword for this movie on IMDB is "Bare Breasts." Beyond that the plot is apparently about a wedding and family secrets. Notable actors include Nicole Kidman and Jack Black.

A Musical Weekend [Photos]

Here's a few shots from my wanderings this weekend. For those of you who might have missed it, there was plenty to do and wonderful weather to do it in.

Bistro Boasts Russian Food, Dancing

Check out Connect Mason's coverage of the April 10 Russian Culture night!

It includes photos and footage, see what you missed.

Sunday Event: Bagel Brunch [Sponsors]

The event to look for this Sunday is the Bagel Brunch. From 12:30 to 2:00 join the Jewish Student Association in the Patriots Lounge at SUB1 for free food and discussion.

Here's the event to go to. Delicious food and all you need to do is sit through is a short Judaism education component.

Join the Facebook event.

Interested in making your event a sponsored event? You get a blog post and a special notation on our blog's Google Calendar! Contact us, and see your name in the GMU Round-up.

LANJam Confirmed! [GMU Weekends Update]

I've now seen a poster confirming LANJam. It will occur Friday Apr. 11, from 9 p.m. to midnight. It will be located in the SUB1 Lobby, which I'm assuming is the Patriot's Lounge.

It is an Xbox360 LAN Party, presented by EFF and GADIG and sponsored by Microsoft. Participants are invited to bring their own controller and Play Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 all night long.



[Edit: From GAIDG - "Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 will be the main attractions as well as some Super Smash Brothers Brawl and possibly some Rock Band. If you have an Xbox 360 controller lying around please bring it so we don't come up short." ]

GMU Weekends Event Round-Up - Apr 10-11 [I-Week and More]

Weekends Roundup: What's Going on Here at Mason

By Student Media Freelancer Aram Zucker-Scharff

This weekend there is a lot going on at Mason. From the various International Week events to Sweeny Todd in the JC Cinema, there is plenty to do.

Thursday (Apr. 10)

• De-Stress Fest [PW] - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Bull Run Hall Atrium - Free food, naptime and more, as the De-Stress event hits the Prince William Campus.


• International Bazaar [International Week] - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. @ North Plaza (Rain Site: JC Lower Level) - Food, vendors, performances and all the things that make I-Week fun. See Mason's many cultures trying to sell you things.


• Fashion Show [International Week] - 12 p.m. @ Dewberry Hall - I see girls in lingerie on the Facebook event's photo, that's enough for me.


• The Effects of U.S. Immigration Policy on People - 3 p.m. @ SUBII Ballroom - The Democracy Project's Campus Coordinator and a selection of experts on everything from LGBTQ to academic freedom talk about immigration.


• International Week Reception [International Week][Arlington] - 5 to 7:30 p.m. @ Original Building, Room 329 -"Networking with internationally-focused organizations about study abroad, volunteer and employment opportunities." Also lots of free food and if you really like what you taste, there's to be a recipe exchange.


• Russian Culture Night [International Week] - 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. @ JC Bistro - "Watch and Eat."


• Darfur Now [Cinema Series] - 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. @ JC Cinema - IMDB calls it "An examination of the genocide in Sudan's western region of Darfur," I'd say that it is likely to be quite depressing. But then again, Arnold Schwarzenegger is on the cast list.


• Student Body Presidential Debate 2008 [SGA] - 7 p.m. @ JC Atrium - The pairs of presidential and vice presidential candidates come out to bring the scuffle to the student body. Find out who to vote for! Rumor has it that the even the ever elusive Jacob Rehpelz and Bailey Hall will make an appearance.


• Filipino Culture Night [Pacific American Heritage] - 7 to 11:30 p.m. @ Dewberry Hall - "Watch and Eat."


• With One Voice [Campus Ministry] - 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. @ Enterprise Room 80 - All the Christian groups on campus join together for "praising God in unity."


• Ivanov [GMU Players] - 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. @ Black Box - This Chekhov play opens for the first time Thursday night. You can see it through the 14th.

Friday (Apr. 11)

• LANJam '08 [GADIG]- Rumored - The Game Analysis and Design Interest Group was supposedly planning a Xbox 360 and maybe computer LAN gaming event with EFF. Current Status: Unknown.


• Field Day and BBQ [International Week] - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. @ North Plaza (Rain Site: Dewberry Hall) - It sounds like what it is. I hope it doesn't rain, cause I'm not sure how field games will work in Dewberry Hall.


• Chinese Culture Night [Pacific American Heritage] - 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. @ Bistro - Perhaps there will be food?


• Men's Volleyball vs. Penn State [Sports] - 7 p.m. @ Field House - Are they also called the Patriots?


• Sweeny Todd [Cinema Series] - 6 and 9 p.m. @ JC Cinema - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street puts in an appearance.


• African Culture Night [International Week] - 7 to 11:30 p.m. @ Dewberry Hall - It is what it is I guess.


• Game Night [EFF] - 7 to 11:30 p.m. @ SUB1 Game Room - Free Pizza and free games. What more could you ask for?


• Carmen [Performances] - 8 to 10 p.m. @ Concert Hall - This classic performance by the St. Petersburg Ballet should be fantastic to see, but good luck getting a ticket on a student's salary. Try the same time on Saturday for Swan Lake.

Saturday (Apr. 12)

• Sweeny Todd [Cinema Series] - 6 and 9 p.m. @ JC Cinema - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street puts in a second appearance, just in case you missed him the first time.


• Friends of International Reception [International Week] - 6 to 6:30 p.m. @ JC Cinema Lobby - "Mix and mingle with friends of Mason's international programs."


• Kevin Mac & the Country Cassanovas [Live@Damon's] - 7 to 10 p.m. @ SUB1 Damon's - Not sure how exciting this will be, I can't even find the band with Google.


• Cultural Dance Showcases [Pacific American Heritage] - 7 to 10 p.m. @ Harris Theatre - The cultural dances are usually a sight to see, it may be worth skipping out on some of the other events in this time slot to sneak a peak.


• International Dinner Dance [International Week] - 7 to 10 p.m. @ Dewberry Hall and Bistro - Music, dancing and food. Between the catered dinner (hopefully not Sodexo?) and the dance competition, this is sure to be a fun event. But grab your tickets in advance as they are $10 from OIPS (SUB1 Room 310) as opposed to $15 at the door.


• I-Week After Party [International Week] - 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. @ Dewberry and moving to Bistro - After the dancing and diversity is done, it's time to party the night away. The party will move to rock out with a DJ in the Bistro. However, considering Mason's draconian drinking policy, even the most relentless Patriots may feel a bit thirsty after four hours.


• Free Play in the Corner Pocket [Pool] - 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. @ Corner Pocket - Mason's newest pool hall is spacious, take advantage of the long hours and elbow room to practice those trick shots.

Sunday (Apr. 11)

• "Asian Americans Can Jump" [Pacific American Heritage] - 12 to 5 p.m. @ Physical Education Building - I really didn't make up the name for this event. It is sponsered by the Office of Diversity Programs and Services and is a "3-on-3 Men and Woman's Tournament and Basketball Shoot-out."


• Bagel Brunch [Jewish] - 12:30 p.m. @ Patriot Lounge - In every college student's mind burns one question… where can I get my free food? Here's the event to go to. Delicious food and all you need to do is sit through is a short Judaism education component.


• Students Sing [Music] - 3 to 4:30 p.m.@ Harris Theatre - Hear your fellow students sing out.


• Free Play in the Corner Pocket [Pool] - 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. @ Corner Pocket - Mason's newest pool hall is spacious, take advantage of the long hours and elbow room to practice those trick shots. Erm... practice them some more... because I absolutely did not copy this from directly above.


• Keyboard Conversations with Jeffery Siegel [Music] - 7 to 8:30 p.m. @ Concert Hall - Concerts with a commentary, renown musician Jeffrey Siegel plays music and talks about what makes you love it.