For everyone who thinks there is "nothing to do here on the weekend," try stopping by the Rathskeller on Friday nights. The College Union Board's CUBRat committee will offer up some of the best and most affordable weekend entertainment on campus this semester with a series of performances by the College's best student bands and some of the area's most talented cover groups.
The door price for most Rat shows is $2, way under the normal for a Friday night concert at a regular bar or grill.
"I think sometimes people see the cash box and table set up outside and immediately think they can't afford it, but it really isn't expensive and it's worth it! It's a good way to find out about new music, hear familiar songs or support your classmates' bands," Nicole Gough, CUBRat co-chair, said.
The CUBRat shows can act as a gateway into the College's music scene. On Friday nights the stage is normally overtaken by a combination of freshman acts looking to make a name for themselves on campus and older Rat regulars like singer/songwriters Kyle Macor or Jon Irizarry and the "acoustic folk-pop" duo of John Dutton & Eric Paulsen.
"I don't know if people will have heard of the bands that we are bringing this year because the bands we bring are a little less well-known, but equally awesome!" Gough said. "We are bringing the Blue Method back, who usually go over really well. I also have a female folk/alternative rock duet coming in October called Jana Losey that I'm excited about, a band later in November called Freekbass, where the bass is the lead. He was discovered by Bootsy Collins."
The Blue Method, an intense blues/jazz outfit from Philadelphia, will make its return to the College for one of the monthly specialty shows, running from 8-11 p.m. on Sept. 18. Losey will visit the College on Oct. 12, while Freekbass will bring his mixture of psychedelic rock and funk to the stage for a specialty show on Nov. 6.
On Oct. 19, The Embassy will return to its alma mater, as they headline the Alumni band night. The aggressive alt-rock band won a competition last year to open for Copeland and The Academy Is... at a CUB show in Kendall Hall. This time they will be joined by Willard Hayes and Venice.
Despite all this band chatter, the Rat can simply be a fun place to spend a Friday night, whether or not you're a music afficionado.
"Rat shows provide a laid back, fun atmosphere on a Friday night. It's easy to stay on campus, eat dinner in the Rat, hang out with friends and enjoy good music while you do it," Christina Burt, CUBRat co-chair, said.
The first student band night is this Friday and it will be headlined by Tasting Grace, a female-led electronic/hard-rock band that features Andrew Oliva, senior marketing major, on drums.
Upcoming Shows at the Rat
September 7, 5-8 p.m.
Tasting Grace, Ben Krupit
September 14, 5-8 p.m.
Student Comedians and Magicians
September 8, 8-11 p.m.
The Blue Method
October 12, 5-8 p.m.
Jana Losey
October 19, 5-8 p.m.
The Embassy, Willard Hayes, Venice
