Spring Fair '02 lands the Roots
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This year's headlining act will cost, said Smith, more than twice what was remitted for last year's act, the Pat McGee Band. Production costs will also be twice that of last year's due to a change in venue planned for this year.
Unlike in previous years when acts performed in Shriver Hall, the Roots will perform in the Recreation Center, located in the newly constructed portion of the Athletic Center.
When asked why they had chosen to change venues, Prentiss replied, "There aren't going to be assigned seats- so there will be a less constrained atmosphere- [and] there will be easier access for trucks and [it will] be easier for security to take care of because there's only one big door."
Both Executive co-Chairs Joe Hanauer and Yue-Yung Hu agreed and said that "size and atmosphere" were major considerations in hosting the Roots in the Recreation Center, which has twice the seating capacity of Shriver Hall.
The venue, however, poses new problems for the Spring Fair committee. While vehicles may have better access and security issues are simplified, greater problems arise when considering the set-up of a concert area within the Recreation Center. A proper concert stage will have to be constructed and lighting and other production equipment will have to be moved into the Athletic Center.
This partially accounts for the doubling in production costs from last year's performance.
This will be the first time that the Recreation Center is used to host entertainment and will be setting the precedent for other groups in the future.
"They're going to look at this [event] to determine whether we can do this again," said Hu.
One issue with which the committee dealt early on was that of funding. To bring a recognizes act like the Roots required Smith and Prentiss to seek additional funding. Some of the people and organizations helping to fund the talent and production costs are the Hopkins Organization for Planning, Alumni Association, Student Council, the Classes of 2005 â€" 2003, Students for a Free Tibet and Dean of Students Susan Boswell.
The Roots will perform in the Recreation Center on Sat., Apr. 27 at a time that is yet to be announced.