Hey Hey Hey!

Hope all is fine and dandy! Even though it is Wednesday, I’d like to begin by telling you about my weekend!

On Friday night, RHSA held a Rock Band extravaganza in Bevier Hall. It was a lot of fun to meet new faces and listen/ play some really great music. A special shout out to Alli and Euclyn for creating an amazing trio while playing Creep! Woo!

I left early Saturday morning to head home to Long Island for the CELINE DION CONCERT, WHICH WAS BEYOND AMAZING. Her set was absolutely incredible, not to mention how unbelievable she was… it was sooooooo superrrrr fabulous!

On Sunday, I went to Seabright, New Jersey, for my cousin’s Bat Mitzvah. It was a gorgeous celebration on the beach. The weather was perfect and it was great to see my family! After the party, I headed back to New Paltz.

Being two hours away from home seems like the perfect distance. I definitely feel like I am far enough away to feel independent, to make my own mistakes and have to fix them myself, and to really make my own decisions and live in an environment where I am an individual. I truly believe that being surrounded by genuine college atmosphere has encouraged me to grow into a responsible person, and continuously pushes me to keep challenging myself on new levels. However, although the two hour distance from Long Island to New Paltz seems far enough for me to feel like I am away at school, it is soooooooooooo nice to be able to go home for the weekend.. really, quite easily!

I walked to the bus stop on Saturday morning. Even though I was carrying several bags, it only took about 20 minutes. There is a Trailways bus station right in the heart of town, which is so convenient. It runs regularly to destinations all around New York State, including New York City, where you can connect to take other buses/trains to other points of interest. In addition, starting soon, Trailways will make several stops around campus, so that students do not need to go to town to catch a ride home.

Furthermore, thanks to Ben Olsen and the Student Association, New Paltz will soon have a bus that will make a loop throughout New Paltz. The bus will run every 30 minutes during the week, and will have a different schedule during the weekend. The bus will make various stops on the SUNY New Paltz campus and throughout town. The service should be free for all students that show their ID cards.. Woo! Also, the bus will make trips to the Poughkeepsie train station, which also provides inexpensive transportation to get home.

So, today is Wednesday. My, time flies! Happy Birthday to my little Bro, Jeremy!

Until next time, Enjoy! -Jessie

This Sunday, September 14^th, was Taste of New Paltz, an event that took place at the Ulster County Fairgrounds right here in our town!

I only stayed for about an hour and a half, but that definitely was enough time to sample some scrumptious food. It was 5 bucks to be admitted into the fair with a super-cool shiny wrist band, and one dollar per ticket to taste food. I just bought 10 tickets and that was enough to experience a plethora of yummy things.

Oh can I just tell you, that Sunday was SO DARN HUMID OUT! I felt like my skin was melting off as I walked from tent to tent at the Fairgrounds. Thank goodness I still had my hair up in that French diagonal braid from the Ren Faire. It made the experience less sweaty, to say the least.

So let’s go over the food that was there. That’s the important part, right? So I used ALL my ten tickets, of course. First I ordered a chicken taco at the Acapulco Grill stand.

Oh and I kinda went crazy with the desserts. Normally I try to feed my body healthy choices, but ya know, these were all small samples of really good tasting food, so I indulged! I picked out a hot crisp apple sundae, which was refreshing since it had ice cream on the bottom. Once I ate that, I saw people walking around with other forms of ice cream, and I don’t know if it was the heat, the taste of sugar on my pallet from the previous dessert, or a combination of both; but, I was hooked! I wanted some ice cream, pronto! I waited in line at Babba Louie’s for some pumpkin ice cream! OH MAN was it delicious! It truly hit the spot on that shweaty Sunday! I had three tickets left so I decided to get a filling piece of pizza at the Pasquales Pizza booth, which actually has it’s restaurant right down the road from campus, across the street from Stop n Shop.

And who wouldn’t want a slice of that?

I would absolutely recommend all to attend this event next time it rolls around. I don’t think that will be until next year, sadly, but it was just a great time! Also, they even had free rides for kids, a small petting zoo, and booths to purchase fun things like jewelry. There was a live band playin’ funky Mo-Town hits. As I walked around, I saw couples or friends mouthing the words and dancing with each other. It made me smile. You know what else made me smile? There were these two kids chasing one another around in the shade with water bottles, soaking each other to the bone, laughing all the while. I wouldn’t have minded doing that with my friends’ right about then. Sometimes, I feel it’s the kid within all of us that makes this world that much more enjoyable.

So that was a small section of my Sunday. I saw so many familiar, happy faces despite the heat. OK well hang in there everyone with your work load this week. The word on the street is that there’s lots to be done. YIKES!

WOW was this an awesome Saturday! Hello all! I know it’s late on a Saturday night, but I just couldn’t contain myself! I had to share with you what happened today while all the lovely details are fresh in my mind!

Today I went to the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, New York. Now, I don’t think I would ever have gone to this event without an invitation from a best friend and a nudge of encouragement. Living on eastern Long Island, I guess I just wasn’t exposed to these thrilling fairs (or I was I just oblivious?) I’ve been to Blues fairs, Greek fairs, and Jazz fairs, but I’ve never attended a Renaissance Faire, and may I say I was EXCITED to do so.

So, the lot of us woke up in the wee hours of the morning (hey- they were wee hours for a Saturday) and arrived at Tuxedo by 9:30 in the morn. Jon Markle was our friend who drove us all, so we could experience our first Renaissance Faire! He was so ecstatic, with his custom-made, loosely-fitted Renaissance garb and his chain link carrying case. Sadly to say, I did not get dressed up. Neither did my friends Renee Levine or Emily Kurland. Emily and I joked around, saying we’d see such few people at the fair WITHOUT costumes, that when we spotted someone with jeans, we’d exclaim: “No way! You look like us! Are you from the 21st century too? What sort of time travel did YOU use?” Luckily, that discussion never sprung into action. Besides, there were TONS of people who didn’t go full-out with the proper time-period attire. They were probably poor college students like us, unable to afford costume rentals.

I must mention that there was this enchanting pathway in the woods leading from the parking lot to the actual Renaissance Faire. Renee described this pathway as the metaphysically earth trodden trail that led from our world to the world of the Renaissance. This pathway was like our closet door to our Narnia, except it led to a closed gate that opened after a 15 minute skit, which presented a storyline for the rest of the day’s events.

The greenery we passed through.

Here’s the front gate where we watched and listened to the skits take place.

The Renaissance Faire was based on the tale of Robin Hood and Sheriff Nottingham; a common story which has been Disney-fied into our hearts

Here’s Robin Hood, playing the observer for the time being.

Once we entered the Faire, so so SO much was going on! I was immediately drawn to this hair braiding booth, where I decided on a design! Check it out!

This is my hair after it was put into a Diagonal French Braid with 2 ropes! Hopefully you can see how detailed it is from this picture.

I want this hairstyle to last until at least Monday. That might sound gross, but I paid “mad dough” for that doo, and I want to get my money’s worth! My hair braider named Sam said people normally leave it in from 3 to 5 days. In order to do so, you have to use lots of hairspray and wear something silky on your head at night so it doesn’t create friction. My roommate found me a shower cap and I’m sporting that at the moment. Stylish! I look like I’m about to milk some cows.

One event I really enjoyed was the Maypole dance. This is where dancers would weave in and out of each other while holding long ribbons or streamers in order to braid the pole. It was a form of celebration to commemorate May Day. I just want to mention how nice the employees were, because as soon as they finished braiding the pole, they took audience members and danced with them. It was as if they’ve known each other their entire lives. That’s just how natural and pleasurable I observed their dancing to be.

Polly Solomon and Renee Levine dancing during the Maypole dance with Captain Jack Sparrow behind them.

Another event I liked was the giant chess match. This chess match took place on a giant field spray painted with white squares to signify the board. We had Robin Hood and his men vs. Sheriff Nottingham and his men. This was no ordinary chess, however. It was even better than the chessboard in Harry Potter, because in this “board,” the characters would stage fight with one another using swords and other forms of weaponry. Here’s some action shots!!!

The bad guy in mid-air after he was FLIPPED!

Sheriff Nottingham vs. Robin Hood during a crazy sword fight.

OH and I cannot forget the main reason we came to the Reniassance Faire. We actually have a New Paltz Alumni, Polly Solomon, acted in so many of the events through out the day! She was the smallest Gypsy and she performed her famous Flying Gypsy Act! She actually learned this unique skill from the N.Y. Circus Arts. While she was still at SUNY New Paltz last year , she starred in our yearly student choreographed dance recital called Fresh Dance, where she performed this same sort of “flying” but at a much greater height (since McKenna stage is much larger)! Here’s some pictures of her act as the Flying Gypsy!

Polly Solomon being the little gypsy she is, just….hangin’.

I love this move! It looks so difficult to do, though!

Now I believe, would be the proper time to end my blog with someone close to my heart. I must mention that Renee Levine, my best friend, became a celebrity through out the Faire today. It has an anecdote that goes along with it. Well, as soon as we entered the gates this morning, there were these stocks you could get into and pose to take pictures. There were 2 adjacent stocks and so I asked Renee if she’d get in one with me for a schnazzy snapshot. She kindly declined, not liking the idea of sticking her head and wrists in a limited space at a 90 degree angle.

Here’s me and Emily Kurland in the stocks. Apparently, I am an insufferable diva and Emily is a nagging shrew.

Well, let’s just say she paid for that decision, greatly. The actors got word of her refusal and claimed she was a guilty sinner who needed to pay the consequences for her actions. Luckily, Renee is a good sport. However, that doesn’t mean she wasn’t scared out of her wits by EVERYONE who worked at the faire. Word spread quickly. Pretty soon the entire staff would shout her name throughout the day. Some would even make the effort to converse with her so she could save her culpable soul. One man in particular liked to bellow her name as loud and as long as he could. Who was that man, you ask? The executioner! He loved to carry his sharpened ax in one hand, and a cleanly sliced head in the other. As he walked, sweat dripped from his shiny, bald head and into his thick beard. Lucky, lucky Renee Levine. Or should I say: lucky, lucky RE-NAAAAAAAAY LA-VIIIIIIIIINE (as she was more commonly called.)

Here the executioner is pressing the dead head he recently chopped off into Renee’s face. Kissy Kissy! As you can tell, she’s thrilled.

Well, by the end of the day Renee went from being hassled by the employees to being respected by them. I felt that all those exuberant and accepting people working the Renaissance Faire saw in Renee what I see everyday: a lovable, comedic, charitable, unostentatious human being. That’s why she’s my best friend.

Ok, well enough of that mushy stuff. It’s raining buckets outside right now! Sorry the pictures came out so tiny. Again, I’m still getting a knack for this blogging thing. Hope everyone stays dry for Sunday!

Today was the second annual Jell-O War!  RA Chris in Esopus Hall came up with it last year and it was so successful that this year Scudder Hall did it as well!  What is a “Jell-O War,” you ask?  Well, it stars the night before in a mass Jell-O making campaign.  For a war of our magnitude, RA Chris, RA Kim and PA Felipe prepared eleven trays of Jell-O, with approximately three packets to a tray …you do the math!  Then, as usual ,the Jell-O is chilled overnight, and cut up the next day.  As far as the game is concerned, everyone is given a number (to wear/hold) and then a group of numbers (i.e. 1-15) is called out at a time, and the goal is to eliminate -by way of Jell-O throws- the number above yours.  As soon as you’re tagged with Jell-O, You’re OUT!  However, if you are the victor, you are to seek out your former opponent’s target.  And if I didn’t explain it well enough, just trust me: It’s AWESOME!!!

However, this year, the Jell-O liquefied in the trays, and a Jell-O Free-for-All ensued.  But it was all good, and I got some sweet shots from the sidelines.

In other recent news, I was able to get into “Women Images and Realities,” class.  This is my second semester in a row trying to get into the course, but it was well worth it.  I have heard nothing but good things from the course and I even heard from RA Kim: “It changed my life!” -So if dat ain’t proof, I donno what is! I must say, that although I just-got-in, it has been very enlightening, thus far.  So now when people ask what courses are good to take, I can at least say: “Women Images and Realities.”

Check out the Jell-O War pictures,

Thanks,

Matt Stracq

: D

So although I only have two classes on Thursday’s, today is still a hectic day. For one thing, it starts at 8AM with Western Drama 1 and then, with ten minutes in between, jumps to my Intro to Dance and Movement class at 9:25. Luckily, I live so close to McKenna Theatre, where my first class is, that it takes me three minutes to walk there. SAH-WEET!

I probably shouldn’t be writing this blog now, since I have a major English paper that I really need to start organizing. It’s one of those papers that every time I think about it ,the idea of actually writing it becomes more and more daunting, to the point where I’m dubious if I’ll ever complete it! I just have to start it, right? Stop worrying and start writing!

I digress. However, since I just gave a tour, ate lunch at one of my favorite places and received my FREE gift, I thought I’d share that with you now instead of putting it on the back burner.

So after my Dance and Movement class, I raced back to my room, changed into my blue Student Ambassador polo, made my bed, did a quick hair check in the mirror and made my way to the Hopfer Admissions and Alumni Center or “The White House,” where all the tours begin. This is my 2^nd semester as a Student Ambassador, and I’m in love with it! Oh, you wanna know why I keep using fancy terminology, such as “Student Ambassador” and not “tour guide?” Well, because we give tours, sure, but we also work office hours in the admissions building, so we get to be called Student Ambassadors. OH so fancy. Anyway, today was my first tour with Ms. Sarah Doran. This girl is a doll!

This is Sarah Doran! HI SARAH! (Hopefully she doesn’t kill me for putting this up.)

For example, apparently, I’m not the best backwards walker. As part of the job description, we must walk backwards so everyone in the tour can hear what we’re saying. So, while we led the families, Sarah would kindly nudge or lead me with her arm if I was about to step in goose droppings, smack into a poll, or trip over another tour coming in the opposite direction. She did this several times. How loving. And may I add that her and her suitemates really made up their Bevier suite to look like a fancy living room. They have a coat rack, a fancy schmancy entertainment center, and even a kitchen table in there!! How trendy are they!?

In any case, after our hour and ½ tour, I was famished and wanted some grub. Ergo, I headed to my favorite place to eat on campus: HASBROUCK DINING HALL. Everyone who knows me understands that I am NOT kidding when I say it’s my favorite place to eat. I even have the first year meal plan, called Carte Blanche, where you get an unlimited amount of meals at Hasbrouck. Oh I love eating there! For fun, I like to spice up Hasbrouck Dining Hall with different titles, such as: Has, Hazzy, Hazzy McHaz, McHazster, Hazzy Pants, etc. It’s common for someone to say “Has” or “Hazzy” and one will get the memo. It’s the only dining hall at SUNY New Paltz, however, I love that! That way, if some friends want to catch a meal together it’s easy to meet up at the same facility. Anyway, I could rant on about Hasbrouck and all its healthy options, but perhaps I will save that for another time.

I went around the buffet-style dining hall looking for a nice, filling lunch. I wanted some soup, because it was Vegan Minestrone. Once I finished that, I was still hungry, so I paroosed around to create a wrap. I’ve always been somewhat hesitant to make myself a wrap there, because I’m always concerned I’ll put too many ingredients inside it, therefore making it impossible to fold, creating a gigantic mess on my plate. However, today I went out of comfort zone, thanks to a freshman named Sara Sweeney, who introduced me to her wrap ideas over a recent Hazzy lunch. I grabbed a spinach wrap, spread it with some hummus, put a little grilled chicken on it, a couple slices of turkey, spinach, lettuce, kidney beans, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Maybe I shouldn’t have listed all that, but as I said, I get excited with our dining hall! Well, go Sara Sweeney, because it was great! I will have to give more wraps a chance in the future. J

After a nice lunch, I decided to pick up my mug. Now let me explain this. From SUNY New Paltz I received a FREE MUG. Because, as I explained before, I have the Carte Blanche meal plan or the Hasbrouck meal plan, I could order a free travel mug thanks to Campus Auxiliary Services who started “Reuse 2 Reduce.” Last year, paper travel cups were provided at Hasbrouck in order for students to leave the dining hall with their coffee or tea. However, that was a rather wasteful procedure. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but New Paltz is continually making the effort to go green. Hence, instead of throwing away thousands of paper travel cups, Campus Auxiliary Services decided to offer all students with the Carte Blanche meal plan or Hasbrouck meal plan to customize their very own travel mug. (If you don’t have that meal plan, don’t fret! You could still personalize your mug for ten smack-a-roos.) That way, you can bring the mug back and forth to the dining hall, load up on caffeine, and head to your next class! Listen to all the cool stuff they’re offering.

So first you can either make the travel mug silver or white. Then you have your choice to add any quotes or wording you like (up to 184 characters size 24 font or 84 characters size 36 font) with twelve different fonts and nine colors to choose from. Then you can add as many images as you want (following a certain size guideline.) Isn’t that awesome? So I picked mine up just after lunch and I love it!

Here are the two pictures I added to my travel mug!

This is me and my brother, Kyle. He’s pretending to step on me at a playground over Spring Break ‘08. Aren’t we precious? This makes me laugh every time I see it.

Here’s a sunset when I stayed at a house with 6 friends in Bethel, Maine this summer.

And this is the quote I put on it: “Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead.”- Louisa May Alcott.

To me, that quote is so inspiring. No one knows what’s in store for the future. We can only try our best and enjoy living by pursuing our passions.

Alright guys, well I hope I didn’t bore you TOO much with my day so far. I hope everyone’s ready for a fun-filled weekend!

So it’s week 3 of school and things are starting to fall into place. Classes are going well even after I switched around my schedule about a bazillion times.  As of now I’m taking Interpersonal Communication, Intro to Communication, Intro to Human Services, Psychology of Adolescence and Adulthood, and my Senior Seminar (even though I’m not a senior). All of my classes seem like a nice mix and I think for some reason they all complement each other really well.

 My seminar seems like it might be the most challenging this semester, not only because it is writing intensive and I truly dislike writing (ironic huh?) but also because of the topic.  The class is going to focus on the Psychology of Media which sounds totally cool, and it is so far. However, it deals with a lot of politics and the very big election that is taking place sooooooon. Problem= I know absolutely NOTHING about politics. How am I going to write all of these papers? That’s what’s on my mind right now. To be honest though I’m not really scared. It’s probably going to be a really big challenge but I’m ready for it.

To prepare myself for this class I decided to educate myself on what is going on in our country. I started picking up the newspaper everyday and I began checking out political websites so I could learn the candidates stances on particular issues. I listened to their speeches and played them over and over again until I understood exactly what they were saying.  Most of the time I don’t know what they’re saying but who does anyways? I do give all of them credit for what they are doing. I’d be so scared to do public speaking like that.

I feel like I’ve learned so much after doing this for a week that I was able to formulate my own opinions about the nominees. For once I think I could actually have a conversation with another person about politics. Maybe not a long conversation, but a conversation nonetheless.  Overall, I’m just really proud of myself for doing this and I’m REALLY REALLY excited to vote. I hope you all are too, and I hope that this post encourages people to vote as well. And if you feel like you don’t know anything either remember you’re not the only one and it’s really easy to find information today especially with the web! Just type something in and there you go.

So who’s going to vote?!?!?!?!?!?

Okay, that’s it for now. I’m sleep deprived, Bridge Over Troubled Water is stuck in my head, and my bed is calling my name…

Later,

Kevin

So today I went to the gym after class and decided to do something different. My friend Amanda and I, usually just go on the cardio machines and although that can be fun, it can get a little monotonous after a while. So Amanda and I took a exercise class. Normally, we take Will Power and Grace, but we decided to spice it up today and instead took one that I’d heard about. We took Zumba.

When we walked into the class, we didn’t know what to expect so we just started stretching. The instructor walked in and started the music, which was not what we usually heard at our exercise class. She started out with basic movements that incorporated cardio and toning with latin dance moves. Although it was hard to keep up with at first, once you got the jist of the dances it started to get really fun!

As I flailed in the back of the class, I looked to my right and noticed some older students doing better than I was. I started thinking about how amazing the New Paltz community is. The fact that students continuing their studies and people from the community can come on the New Paltz campus and take classes with the students from residence halls, amazes me. When I see people from the community in the Athletic and Wellness Center, I’m reminded of how rare of this neighborhood is and how lucky we are to have such a diverse campus. I can’t wait for winter to roll around, when children from hockey teams in the town skate on the gunk near Esopus. And during the spring, when people walk their dogs, I can’t imagine myself being anywhere else. New Paltz is an amazing pocket of friendliness and I’m honored to say I go here.

On Friday, the F.Y.I. Program took it’s annual trip to Mohonk, and it was a blastie-blast!  Lemon Squeeze, Skytop Walk, Botanical Gardens, and Chillin’ with RD Kristen… Ohh, yeah!

As you guessed, I was on the Lemon Squeeze with CDA Matt, RA Chris, RA Lorraine, RM Diana and RA Matt (hey, would you look at that, all the “Matt’s” went on the Lemon Squeeze!) along with most of the F.Y.I. program.  I felt very important as I was checking students on and off the bus, wearing my bright orange shirt, and taking up the middle group of the Lemon Squeezers all my myself (Yeah!)  Now, as a former F.Y.I.-er from last year, I forgot how awesome it was to be in the thick of it with all those rocks, and all the climbing and the occasional plateau to gaze out over the range.  Although it was a hot, hot day, it still was not as hot, humid and hazy as last year, because this year we were actually able to see the campus!  JFT, HAB, AWC, REH, OM, CH, Hasbrouck Quad, and just a hint of Lenape.  And although this is a small school and a small campus, it still is big. But, even though the campus looks big, and the tower at the top of Mohonk is way tall and has been there forever, it’s all still dwarfed my the awesomeness of mother nature.  Everything from the clouds, the sun and the mountain to the Hurricanes down south (yikes, I hope they’re alright!) can dwarf all else, in its size, grandeur and longevity.  It makes me respect and understand nature and our environment more and more for each one of these experiences.  I only wish I could have taken more pictures, but then again, I think of “3×5,” by John Mayer and I say:

“Naa, they have to see it for themselves -and I should see it again too!”

On that note, I would encourage all of you to go to Mohonk, and climb the Lemon Squeeze.

For now, it’s back to homework and what not

“Yikes! …and away.” -Snickers Commercial

Matt

: D

Hello friends!

I hope this entry finds you dry and cozy on this very rainy night! I am enjoying this rain, as it is breaking the humidity, and rainy days are always oh so fun! Even on a rainy weekend, there is so much to do in New Paltz!

On Friday evening, I went to the Muddy Cup, which is an adorable coffee shop in town, and a great place to grab a cup of coffee and catch up with friends. Local bands often play at the Muddy Cup, which is always really nice. On this particular night, I had pumpkin spice coffee, which was beyond delicious! As I was leaving the Muddy Cup, I ran into my friend Andre, who was an Orientation Leader last year. It was awesome to catch up with him!

Although I did not attend, I heard marvelous reviews about Arts Alive!, which took place on campus last night, Friday, from 7:30- midnight. Arts Alive! is an introduction to the arts on campus, including a tour of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, games, music, art, and theatrical performances, dancing, and prizes! I definitely encourage you to check out Kristen’s awesome blog that has more information and fun pictures from the event!

Today, I woke up to pouring rain, which was wonderful! After spending the morning hanging out with my suite mates, my friend Honor and I headed to iHOP in Poughkeepsie. Honor spotted Pumpkin Pancakes on the menu, so naturally, that is what I ordered… yum!!!

I then returned to campus, did some homework, and then met up with Jenay, a New Paltz legend! In addition to her many other successful accomplishments, Jenay was my Orientation Leader and Resident Assistant, and has been an encouraging figure in my life since I entered New Paltz over two years ago. It is funny how things work out, as my Resident Director, Val, was actually Jenay’s RA when she was a first-year student. One of the most welcoming aspects of student life at SUNY New Paltz is the support and friendship that you get from those around you. It is so satisfying to know that others care about your well-being, and that you are happy here on campus. So, an enormous thank you to Val and Jenay!

So, just incase you couldn’t tell, I love pumpkins.. everything about them! Between my pumpkin spice coffee at the Muddy Cup, my pumpkin pancakes, and the fact that Starbucks finally has pumpkin spice lattes, life is really good! The New Paltz campus is walking distance from a farm where you can go pumpkin picking, and I love being surrounded by so many pumpkin-ish fall things! woo!

That’s about it for now! Enjoy! -Jessie

Hey guys! So last night was Arts Alive! New Paltz has never done an Arts Alive festival, and I must say it turned out to be a huge success! Hooray! I’m sure you’re wondering: “What’s Arts Alive?” Ahh, well I shall fill you in! So the idea of last night was to have fun. Not too shabby, right? Arts Alive took place on campus in the College Theatre Plaza (outside McKenna Theatre), inside McKenna theatre, and in the Black Box Theatre in the Smiley Art Building.

In the College Theatre plaza there were a bunch of tables set up to represent all the art clubs and organizations that are promoted here on campus. For example there was an Alpha Psi Omega table, which is the national theatre honor society. There was an Alpha Psi Ecdysia, which is our Burlesque group on campus. There was a Visual Arts table, endorsing what they do here at New Paltz. There were so so SO many more! But that’s just to give you an idea. AND we had tables set up where you could play games. There were four tables where you would have to partake in an artsy event and if you completed that event, you would receive a stamp on the paper passport you were given. If you received all four stamps you were eligible to win a prize! One table was the human dance machine, which Tara Sestanovich, a fellow NP blogger, loved tabling. There was a film trivia table, a theatre skit table, and a hat making table!

(Yoav Kaddar, our movement professor, making coversation at one of the tables set up. And of course he's wearing his funky hat that he made!!)

So all different art forms were put to the test so you could win mad prizes! Oh and let me mention some of those goodies that people won. Some won gift certificates to all kinds of local stores and restaurants, free music and even free T-shirts!

Oh and I don’t believe I mentioned the performances that took place last night! So many! While those tables were going on, surrounded by free food, free drink, and an awesome DJ, there were performances taking place inside. At 8PM the Musical Theatre Ensemble performed, along with several solo/duet numbers. Justin Orth rocked the house with his rendition of Jesus Christ Superstar! It was an incredible opener! Then after that our Improv troupe on campus, TBA (To Be Announced) performed in our Black Box Theatre. They were so hilarious you forgot how hot it was in there (well almost.) (No, but seriously they’re wonderful. They’ve performed in the city for paid gigs.) Afterward, Alpah Psi Ecdysia made the audience go crazy with a live band on stage and everything! For example, Lady Legs did her famous fan dance, which was absolutely stunning!

(Here’s Lady Legs workin’ it with her fans! Beautiful!)

Another performer, Gigi O’Zone made the whole audience smile with her energetic movement to “Colors of the Wind” while miraculously attaching plastic bottles to her skirt. She definitely made you want to green, with her colorful message of recycling!

Gigi O'Zone and her colors of the wind.

Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE was truly astounding: singing and performing!

To top off the night, many people went outside and had a dance party while the DJ played new songs and famous 90s hits such as “Wannabe” from the Spice Girls (or more commonly known as “Ziga Zag Ah.”) All in all, it was a wonderful achievement.

(Abby Giller, Gianna Cioffi, Liz Petley and Nick Melillo dancing away.)

Carley Colbert, Flannery Spring-Robinson, and Stephanie Spohrer jammin' to Spice Girls!

In conclusion, I believe it’s appropriate to quote my Alpha Psi Omega president, since she sent out an e-mail this morning thanking us all.

“Thank you to those of you that either participated, people watched or volunteered last night for Arts Alive! Any presence was greatly appreciated. The event went off swimmingly! You should all be proud of having set an extremely stellar precedent for the future.

Thank you a hundred times over,
Flannery Spring-Robinson”

On that note, again, thanks everyone for encouraging the collaboration of the arts! We couldn’t have done it without you!