Tufts a cappella groups start the year off right
Those just arriving at Tufts will probably notice that a capella is less a style of music and more a way of life on campus. According to Alicia Harvie of Shir Appeal, Tufts' co-ed Jewish a capella group, the school has become a hotbed of a capella due to the "inspiration and support the many eclectic groups give each other." These groups range from Essence, an all-female group specializing in the music of the African Diaspora, to groups who put their own a capella spin on today's popular songs, like the Beelzebubs, Jackson Jills, Amalgamates, and sQ!
During Orientation, students have several opportunities to catch all these diverse groups together. The annual "O-Show" will feature all of Tufts a capella groups performing together in Goddard Chapel on Monday with shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Along with the O-Show, many of the a capella groups will be performing at Hillel's Bagel Brunch on Sunday at 11 a.m. The best part of these two shows is that they're completely free. So take advantage of your chance to see all Tufts a cappella scene has to offer, without even having to open your wallet.
Bringing Hogwarts to Tufts
If you've finished reading "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" this summer, you probably have your own theories and predictions for the seventh and final book. Luckily for you, the Harry Potter Discussion Group, run by three alums of the Harry Potter Explorations class, meets Saturday after registration is complete, and will give all Potter fans an opportunity to discuss their favorite wizard. The discussion is will be held in the Crane Room and will be followed with a performance by Harry and the Potters in the Alumnae Lounge. Led by Tufts alum Paul DeGeorge and his brother Joe, the Potters have gained national attention with their wizard-themed rock and matching Hogwarts uniforms.
Torn Ticket II: For us, by us
Students are the literal heart and soul of Torn Ticket II, the University's only theater group devoted entirely to musicals. Every show is student-directed and produced, with Jumbos also handling everything from light operation to marketing. Every semester, members of the group vote on the major and minor production to be staged.
The group's first presentation of the semester will be their Orientation show, "The Music of Avenue Q," directed by senior Maureen Donohue. "It will be a presentation of the songs of the Broadway show 'Avenue Q,' an irreverent comedy that uses puppets similar to those of 'Sesame Street,'" Donohue said. The show will be held in the Balch Arena Theater on Sunday at 9 p.m. and Monday at 8 p.m.
Comedian alum to perform in Oxfam Cafe
Evan Wecksell ('01) never thought that he would become a songwriter and comedian. Yet this Jumbo alumnus returns to his alma mater as just that.
Wecksell said he discovered his penchant for comedy during an unusual class presentation, for which he received superb feedback. He decided to continue developing the craft and took a stand-up course in New York, where he gained experience writing and developing routines.
In New York, Wecksell worked and joked with some of the city's best comedians, earning their praise and recognition on a national level. He has been compared to Adam Sandler and superstars Jim Carrey and Stephen Lynch, among others.
Wecksell's routine is both funny and truthful, but always with the audience in the center. "I'm a big Bon Jovi fan," Wecksell said. "He knows how to connect with an audience and hold their attention. That's what I try to do with my comedy ... the audience is the only true indicator of whether I'm going in the right direction."
Wecksell performs at the Oxfam Cafe located in the back of Miller Hall, on Friday at 10 p.m. The show is free.
