Year in preview: Campus events on the horizon for Spring 2016

By: Annie Sragner, Arts & Life Editor

Student Activities is hard at work planning events in preparation for the Spring 2016 semester.

Upon returning to campus after winter break, students can kick off the spring semester with nighttime fun at TU After Hours. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jan. 29, the University Union will hold unique late-night activities including a silent disco, giveaways, crafts, carnival games, custom artists, free food and the highly anticipated rockstar karaoke.

“In Paws, we have a band that will back you so you can get up and sing karaoke with a full band,” coordinator of marketing and social media Megan Byrd said.

Once February rolls in, students can attend LIVE TOWSON Feb. 4 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the West Village Commons Ballrooms to learn more about the surrounding Towson community.

“This is a brand-new event that we’ve never done before,” Byrd said. “We’re showing students how to live, work, serve and play in their community.”

LIVE TOWSON will bring in local businesses, vendors, non-profits, off-campus housing and public transportation officials, employers, and music festival volunteers to show Towson students how to get the most enriched experience during their time here.

For students passionate about philanthropy, Student Activities will also offer an alternative spring break connection to those interested in volunteer service projects around the country. In past years, students have gone to Atlanta, Tennessee, New Jersey, Miami, Texas, and North Carolina to help build communities.

“Rather than going to Cabo and blowing a ton of money, we actually take students to service sites across the country,” Byrd said. “If you’re looking to travel the country and do something great, this is a fantastic way to do it.”

For more information on upcoming Spring 2016 events, follow Student Activities on Twitter at @TowsonSAM.

By: Christine LaFrancesca, Staff Writer

Chairperson of the Department of Dance Susan Kirchner plans for a riveting spring semester and wishes the best of luck to our graduating seniors.

“Our seniors will be in CFA 1003 theatre in April for their final capstone performance presentation,” Kirchner said. “This will demonstrate all of their tremendously hard work and showcase their original choreography and performing.”

While seniors will be busy working on their capstone performances, other dancers will be participating in the anticipated company concert.

“In the first two weeks of May, we will be back at Stephens Hall Theatre,” Kirchner said. “Our company concert this year is ‘Unearthed’”

When it comes to which events the department wants to hold, Kirchner likes to leave the decision up to the students, who help tailor to their personal interests.

“Our events are all driven by our students demonstrating their mastery of the curriculum for a BFA degree in choreography and performance,” Kirchner said. “The events showcase our alumni’s talents and faculty’s scholarly creative research.”

Kirchner hopes that all Towson students, dance and non-dance majors alike, will appreciate the sweat and dedication that has poured into each of the department’s performances, past and future.

“I want TU students to see that their peers are being trained as professional performers and choreographers,” Kirchner said. “They are learning the skills to keep them thriving in dance for a lifetime. This could be such inspiration to any TU student as they see their peers reach such accomplishments.”