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.