Monday is Earth Day, the day when everyone should go out and hug a tree. We celebrate a healthy earth by planting trees, picking up trash, and listening to lectures on the destructive properties of urban smog. Even the most devout baby-seal clubbers put down their weapons in favor of a pair of gardening gloves and a trowel.
This year, Tufts has decided to put its very own Earthfest to celebrate the holiday. The premise behind Earthfest involves putting every Tufts musical group that Dina Dubson, the brains behind Earthfest, could find up on stage, where they'll jam from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. In addition to tons of live music, the Campus Center will be filled with booths from groups like the Green Party and games all day.
"We're not trying to preach too much," Dubson said. "We just want people to enjoy their day. And maybe they'll turn their computers off before they go to bed that night."
Dubson was quick to note that this is the first time that an Earth Day event of this magnitude has ever happened on campus in recent memory. She is dedicated to making an impression that will hold over to future years. "Earthfest is definitely something we hope to continue," Dubson said.
And for those of you who worry that jam bands and crazy hippie music will rule the day, fear no more. Dubson went out of her way to make sure that the lineup was as diverse as possible when planning Earthfest. She also made sure that the up-and-coming bands at Tufts got a shot at the big time, and there are several new acts trying out their stuff for only the first or second time.
Live music will commence at 11:30 am, with Tufts favorite Redshift-6, and will conclude at 9 p.m., when blues-rockers Tub O' Joy leave the stage. Also slated to perform are the Boston Funk Band and Doug Fell Down. Dubson noted that Tufts should keep its eyes and ears open for The Pedro Martinez Experiment, which is playing its second real gig ever - as well as second in the show's lineup. "They're an amusing act," said Dubson. "I wouldn't label them as any one type."
Each group's set will last 45 minutes to an hour. Given the relative ease with which each group will be able to get their stuff up on stage, it should leave time for at least eight or nine acts, more than enough for a full day. Should you tire of the live music, there will be plenty of other activities to hold your interest - including actually going to class on the beautiful, music-filled spring day.
"I don't know how it will turn out," Dubson said. "But it should be an awesome event." Because it's first-time event, her worries are justified, but if Earthfest gets the attention it deserves, there should be many more in years to come.
Earthfest will be one of many activities featured over the next week. The events will kick off with the Mystic River Super Clean Up. (And as the voice of experience, that river needs it!) As an added incentive, anyone who goes will receive raffle tickets for the numerous prizes being given away throughout the day. And during the next few days, several earth-friendly films will be shown at various locations across campus.
