Comedy show kicks off Spring Fling

By Liz Wagner
Collegian Editor
April 2, 2008

In putting on their annual Spring Fling event, the Resident Student Association, Late Night La Salle and other student organizations are attempting to up the ante by offering several high profile events like bigger universities would do. Scheduled from April 3 to April 6, the four days of festivities will feature the return of Blackthorn, as well as two name comedians.

“We wanted an event for a weekend like what other colleges offer their students,” senior integrated business and science technologies major Sean Houlihan, RSA’s national residence hall honorary representative, said. “We looked at Carnifall and wanted to expand the idea.”

Spring Fling activities will begin Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Hayman Center with a comedy show highlighted by comedian Greg Giraldo from Comedy Central’s Indecision Tour 2008. George Bush impersonator James Adomianas, who plays the president in the upcoming Harold and Kumar sequel, will be opening for Giraldo. All in all, the event is costing the University $18,000 for the two comedians, lighting and various other necessities.

“We originally wanted to have a concert,” said senior geology major Scott Baietti, RSA president. “But it wasn’t logistically feasible, so we started to look into comedians. We haven’t had anything like this at La Salle in a while.”

Students can receive free tickets to the comedy show. Guest tickets can be purchased for $10.

“I think I’ll probably go,” said sophomore biochemistry major Irene Dip. “It seems interesting.”

While the comedy show was the most pricey event on the Spring Fling roster, several other events will also be happening. Friday’s event features the high-energy Irish band Blackthorn, a group that ritually draws a large Philadelphia following and has played at past Spring Fling festivities.

Blackthorn is being sponsored by Sigma Phi Epsilon and will be playing in the Student Union’s Ballroom at 10 p.m. A $5 admission will be charged at the door.

Then on Saturday night, perennial La Salle favorite, Deejay 007, will provide music at a dance party in the Ballroom at 10 p.m., and Sunday afternoon will feature Basil Bash at St. Basil Court from 1-5 p.m. The event will include bouncy boxing and a bungee run, as well as a cookout, snow cones and cotton candy. Free t-shirts will be distributed to attendants.

Throughout the weekend the Masque will also be performing its spring play, a comedy written by Steve Martin entitled Picasso at Lapin Agile.

Tickets for all the Spring Fling events can be picked up and purchased at the Student Programming Center in Union 307.

All money raised over the course of the weekend is being donated to the charity Youth AIDS, a group whose goal is to educate children about the danger of AIDS.

“We’re hoping for a good turnout,” Houlihan said.  “If there is we will have one again next year. And it will help make La Salle more popular for prospective and current students.”

“We want it to be the event of the year,” added Baietti.

wagnere1@lasalle.edu