With summer movies long gone and the fall season of sitcoms not yet in swing, some might be at a loss as to how to be passively entertained. Fear not - Tufts is host to a variety of performance groups, and most of them manage to work in at least one show before classes start. If your taste leans towards a capella, comedy, or theater (did we mention a cappella?), then you'll find plenty to satisfy your needs in the next week. The best part: all the performances are free.
Ice Cream Social: Make yourself a sundae and enjoy some scrumptious a cappella music. With both uphill and downhill versions of this event, it'll be hard to miss. The six groups are split between the two locations: the Amalgamates, the Jackson Jills, and Shir Appeal are performing in the Residential Quad, while Essence, sQ, and the Beelzebubs will appear downhill on the lawn between Haskell and Tilton. The two socials run simultaneously though, so pick your groups wisely. Starts by 10 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30. On both the Residential Quad and the field between Haskell and Tilton Halls.
Cheap Sox and Travelling Treasure Trunk: Two comedic groups in one night make for one of orientation's most popular shows. The Travelling Treasure Trunk and Cheap Sox will perform back-to-back in the Balch Arena Theater inside the Aidekman Arts Center. Travelling Treasure Trunk features its own variety of children's theater, complete with wild costumes and cartoonish voices. Cheap Sox is Tufts' only improvisational comedy troupe, inventing routines and characters through dramatic games and suggestions from the audience. 10:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 31. Balch Arena Theater.
Convocation: This officially kicks off the year, and true to Tufts' form, manages to incorporate just a bit of a cappella as well. The seniors from each of the singing groups will perform amidst the rest of the excitement. Everyone should be there anyway, so just sit back and enjoy the show. 8:45 p.m., Friday, Sept. 1. Library hill.
Bagel Brunch: Bagels and a capella music are like... well, a lot like ice cream and a cappella, actually. This is the first opportunity of the year to hear all six groups perform in one place. Chewing your way through a bagel in Hillel and listening to lots of singing is always the best way to kick off a lazy Sunday morning. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3. Hillel Family Center.
'The Actor's Nightmare' and 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown': Between drama and musical theater, these two have all their bases covered. The Actor's Nightmare follows an utterly average man as he is unexpectedly thrust into a role as an understudy. Everyone else knows their parts, but he is forced to improvise his way - with no script - through play after play. You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown turns Charles Schultz's famous comic strip into a live-action performance, full of songs, dances, and familiar faces. Both take place in the Balch Arena Theater in the Aidekman Arts center; go on Sunday and you'll get a double feature. 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 3 for both shows; 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., Monday, Sept. 4, for 'You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown' and 'The Actor's Nightmare' respectively. Balch Arena Theater.
Orientation A Cappella Concert: If the aforementioned musical samplings of the week prove insufficient, then get psyched for O-show because this performance is the granddaddy of them all. Most of the regular a cappella concerts are held in Goddard Chapel, but this is always the first one of the year. New songs, long performances, two showtimes, all six a cappella groups... it's all anyone could ask for. You've got rhythm. You've got music. Make sure to get there early because it gets crowded. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 4. Goddard Chapel.
