Wondering what to do this Friday and Saturday? How about check out some student societies, listen to some great free live music, and cheer on the Dal Football Club’s home opener?
This year’s incarnation of DalFest in the Studley Quad runs over September 13 and 14, and for the first time brings the annual Society Fair into the mix on Friday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Renamed the Society Carnival, it’s been revamped to make it more interactive by having students participating in some of the societies’ actual activities.
"We threw out the book on the old Society Fair mode," says DSU VP Internal, Ramz Aziz. "We thought, instead of societies telling people what they do, wouldn’t it be cool if they could show them too? By giving societies more space and resources, students can experience something cool about a society."
Awards for participating societies will be handed out for the following categories: Most Awesome Station, Visuals (for the most visually stunning); Most Awesome Station, Activity (for the one with the coolest game or interactive component); and Most Visited Station. Registration for societies to participate closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 11.
Attendees will get a ticket at each station they visit which can then be used to go on the carnival attractions like the Rock Wall and Tiger Belly Bouncer.
The live music part of DalFest starts on Friday with local acts Willie Stratton & the Boarding Party at 6 p.m. and Billie Dre & The Poor Boys at 7:30 p.m., followed by Midland, Ont.-based headliner Born Ruffians at 9 p.m. The band has toured with the likes of Franz Ferdinand, Caribou, Peter Bjorn and John, Hot Chip, The Hidden Cameras, Tokyo Police Club, and The Honorary Title.
Saturday’s events kick off at 6 p.m. with the Dal Football Club taking on the UNB Fredericton Red Bombers on Wickwire Field. Tickets are only $5 and go on sale on Wednesday, September 11 at the SUB Info Desk.
Following the game on Saturday night the music takes over again in Quad with Rolling Stone cover boys and Juno winners, The Sheepdogs at 7:30 p.m. and King’s alum Rich Aucoin who’s been touring the world and turning heads ever since the success of his 2007 EP, Public Publication.
"We really want DalFest to be an event for everyone," says Ramz. "We’re creating an energetic atmosphere that gets more exciting as students discover all the cool stuff that's happening over the weekend, and we're confident that no matter what students are into there will be something here for everyone. If the Quad had a roof, we’d want it to blow right off! We want students to get loose with the games and the music and just have a good time."
For more information on registering for the Society Carnival, visit the DSU website. To keep up to date on all DalFest events, check out the happenings on Facebook.