Hot Summer Nights Concerts, Wavefest Welcome Students
What better way for students to conclude the first day of classes than with a live concert of funky, New Orleansâ“style music? On Wednesday (Aug. 27), the first of a new Hot Summer Nights concert series will be held at Turchin Stadium on the uptown campus.
Bonerama's hot horns will celebrate the opening of the 2008â“09 academic year, along with Rockin' Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters, in the first of a concert series at Turchin Stadium. (Photo by Paula Burch-Celentano)
The concert is part of Wavefest to welcome all students as well as faculty and staff back to campus, says Cynthia Cherrey, vice president of student affairs and dean of students.
Several departments including athletics and student affairs and student groups are assisting with the programming effort in its pilot year.
“The students and staff who worked on the programs wanted to highlight the flavor of our local musicians, bring them right on campus and cater to our students' late-night schedules,” says Alex Miller, associate director of campus programs. “Of course, our neighbors are welcome to join us at the concerts.”
Prior to the first Hot Summer Nights concert on Wednesday, an Athletics Fan Day will take place from 6 until 8 p.m. at Westfeldt Football Practice Field (behind the Wilson Center), featuring football, volleyball and track and field/cross country student-athletes. Athletics director Rick Dickson will introduce the coaches of the fall sports teams, and free food, drinks, giveaways and interactive games for fans of all ages will be part of the festivities.
Other Wavefest activities include a free film screened outdoors on the LBC Quad, on Thursday (Aug. 28). On Friday (Aug. 29) from 9 until 11 a.m. at Cudd Hall, students can enjoy Donuts With the Dean sponsored by Newcomb-Tulane College. On Monday (Sept. 1) from 1 until 5 p.m., a Shark Attack program offers a pool party with barbeque at the Reily Student Recreation Center.
Additional Hot Summer Nights concerts are planned for Friday (Aug. 29), Saturday (Aug. 30), Sept. 3, Sept. 5 and Sept. 6.
Wavefest carries forth the momentum from Welcome Week activities for first-year students and transfer students, which began on Friday (Aug. 22) with student move-in on the uptown campus.
“Welcoming our students is a communitywide effort,” says Penny Wyatt, director of orientation and student transitions. “Five days of festive, informative and fun events, rain or shine, help students in the physical, social and academic transition to the university.” Wyatt adds that more than 400 move-in day volunteers, 100 orientation coordinators and 10 orientation team leaders help get the job done.
Welcome Week activities included a dance party in Pocket Park for the first time this year, as well as the traditional Riverboat Natchez Dinner Cruise.
Students sail off into studies as Wavefest concludes on Sunday (Sept. 14) with a showing of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on the big screen in McAlister Auditorium in a program sponsored by the School of Continuing Studies.
