Program Board releases fall lineup
Comedian and actor Nick Swardson will perform on Sept. 25.
Program Board President Kaylee Bloom wants to switch things up.
During her inaugural year as president, Bloom said she doesn't want to get stuck in the routines typical of her organization.
"We do the same thing every year," she said. "I tried to inspire my e-board to think outside the box and think of different ways to student programming."
Instead of a fall concert, Program Board booked comedian Nick Swardson. He is also an actor, playing in starring and supporting roles in "Just Go With It," "Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star" and "Reno 911." Swardson will perform stand up at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at McGuirk Arena with special guest Ashley Barnhill. Swardson had plans to perform at CMU in 2011, but the show was cancelled because of a contract deal with Comedy Central.
"It's been quite a few years since Program Board has brought a large comedian to campus," Bloom said. "I'm excited to see how we can satisfy the student body with comedy instead of a concert this fall."
Program Board did not issue a fall survey to ask students who they would like to see as the bigger fall act. Instead, the entertainment was picked by executive board vote. Bloom said the organization looked at the 2014 survey when deciding on this year's lineup.
To kick off its events for this semester, Program Board will host a showing of "Avengers: Age of Ultron" after Mainstage at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Aug. 29. The film will begin at 9:30 p.m.
On Sept. 1, the organization will host "What Would You Do for a Klondike Bar?" from 2-5 p.m. at Warriner Mall.
"This will be several obstacle courses set up, and the winners will get a Klondike Bar," Bloom said. "It will be a good Weeks of Welcome event."
Comedian Langston Kerman will perform at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10 in the Bovee University Center Auditorium. Kerman is a stand up comedian from New York, who co-writes and stars in a web series called "Bombing."
Chippewa Bingo Night will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 15 at Fresh Food Company.
"We're trying a new thing this year where we're trying to break in to the residence hall community," Bloom said. "This will be our first attempt at that. We're hoping to target students in a new way. Instead of making them walk, we're bringing (the event) right to them."
In the UC Rotunda, slam poet Kevin Kantor will perform at 7 p.m. on Sept. 22. Kantor is most famous for a poem that went viral early in 2015 called "People You May Know."
On Sept. 24, Board Game Night will begin at 7 p.m. The location is still being finalized.
For Hispanic Heritage Month, Program Board partnered with Multicultural Academic Student Services to plan keynote speaker Ernie G. He will perform stand up comedy at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 in the UC Rotunda.
On Oct. 8, "Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic World" will be shown back to back at 5 and 8 p.m. in the UC Auditorium.
"Traditionally we show the same movie at two different times, but a couple times this semester we're going to try to show the same genre of movie on the same night," Bloom said.
Trayvon Martin's family attorney, Jasmine Rand, will speak at 7 p.m. on Oct. 13 in Plachta Auditorium.
"We're also going to get the CMU Police Department involved," Bloom said. "(Program Board) talked about hot topics and what's going on in the world right now. It will be a really interesting event.
The organization will host "Name That Tune," a game show, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 in the UC Student Lounge. This will be an audience-interactive event.
A pop culture-themed Pinterest Party will begin at 7 p.m. on Oct. 22 in the UC Terrace Room. Later that week, Karaoke Night will take place at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 in the UC Student Lounge.
Through a partnership with the Accessibility and Disability Advisory Council and Student Disabilities Services, Stephani Victor will speak at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 in Plachta.
"She's a paralympian," Bloom said. "She's going to be talking about motivation and change. It's a good time of year for that because it's in the middle of the semester when things start to get hectic. She brings a really good message."
On Nov. 12, Program Board will show "Pitch Perfect 2" at 5 and 8 p.m. in the UC Auditorium. A double feature of "Despicable Me" and "Minions" will take place on Nov. 19 in the UC Auditorium.
On Nov. 17, Mars Meusic will perform at 7 p.m. in the UC Rotunda.
Bloom said four more events will be announced as contracts are solidified.
