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.

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."

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.

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.