Student Entertainment Committee kicks off weeklong Springfest

04/22/08 - Hopping onto a boat and sailing away from finals might be any University of Rhode Island student's dream. But if this isn't possible, Student Entertainment Committee's weeklong nautical-themed Springfest is one step closer. The catchphrase of the week, "Talk Nautical To Me," plays to the various events that will be part of this week.

"I figured since it was springtime and URI is by the ocean, and it was supposed to be warm out ... a nautical theme would be appropriate with us living by the water," Sarah Shields, advertising president for SEC and the head of the Springfest committee said yesterday.

Shields was in charge of the overall theme and designed the T-shirts for the week. The 200 or so T-shirts sold out yesterday by 3 p.m., but SEC is hoping to obtain more by the end of the week.

Throughout the week, SEC will be giving away promotional items such as playing cards decorated with mermaids, pint glasses and Chapstick, among others.

"We feel that Springfest is important for the URI community," Shields said. "We try and do it right before finals so students have something to relax and enjoy right before the end of the school year."

She added, "If [SEC] ends strong, it's a good way to begin the new year strong."

The week kicked off yesterday as a part of the Memorial Union Board's Block Party. SEC's contribution to the event was the "One-Ton Sundae," where students were encouraged to eat as much free ice cream as they could from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last night, students were served "Mocktails," or non-alcoholic drinks, on the Quadrangle. Students were able to keep the pint glasses that were given to them for $1.

SEC Public Relations Coordinator Jen Cingari said yesterday each student group chooses a mocktail to serve to the public. SEC's was Sex on the Beach and Sex on the "Belding," a pun hinting toward a Springfest celebrity guest later in the week.

"Mocktails is a networking opportunity for the student organizations," she said. "It gives them a chance to set up booths and choose a non-alcoholic drink to serve to the people who come."

Today, mimicking last year's Block Party mechanical bull, will be Extreme Surfing, where participants can try and stay on a mechanical surfboard as long as possible.

"It's one of our daytime distractions," Cingari said of the event on the quad. Tonight, Edwards Auditorium plays host to "Mr. Belding," or Dennis Haskins from "Saved By the Bell." Students can buy tickets for $1, or $5 to the public.

Tomorrow night, "Bubbly" singer Colbie Caillat will perform a sold-out show in Edwards Auditorium. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m.

"That's definitely going to be a great show," Cingari said.

Contributing to the nautical theme, the annual lobster bake will take place on the quad on Thursday. Participants can choose from a lobster dish for $7 or a chicken dish for $4.

"It's first come first serve, but you get a lot for the $7," Cingari said. "We're probably going to run out quick."

From 12 to 3 p.m., students can enjoy lobster or chicken and get some ink done by a "sailor" tattoo artist, for free.

That night, Edwards Auditorium will showcase "Mythbusters" stars Kari and Tori at 8 p.m. for $5 for URI students and $10 for the publics.

Springfest will take a brief break from Friday to Sunday, but at night SEC will host a Smoothie "Bar," free of charge before its screening of "Fools Gold" on the quad.

The last event of the week is another big performer, Akon, who will sing in the Ryan Center Monday night. URI students can pay $17 to see him, or $27 for the public.

Each year, SEC's subcommittees come together to plan Springfest and Winterfest. The committees are VIPs, concerts and special events. The planning generally takes the entire semester.

"Names are thrown around; we decide based on if they're available for that day, it's also based on how much [the act] is looking for and our general members vote on the act," Cingari said.

Though members of the SEC said they could not disclose the exact budget of the week, Cingari said the budget, obtained from Student Senate, changes each year.

"It depends on the act that we're bringing and if it's at the Ryan Center or at Edwards, and toward the end of the year we don't look to break even, we want to sell our tickets at the best price for the students while not ending the year in the red, budget wise."

Shields said the week is all about promoting the university in its entirety.

"If we end with a bang it helps us to promote SEC, and promote URI and extra-curriculars as a whole," she said.