Campus Cracks up with Comedy Week

Chestertown, MD — Comedy Week is an exciting series of hilarious events planned by the Student Events Board in cooperation with many other organizations at Washington College. The events will take place November 17-21. The mission of Comedy Week is to bring laughter and smiles to every student on campus and to provide the biggest and most entertaining events ever seen at Washington College. The campus-wide comedic carrying-on includes:

Roast of George Washington

Stadium Skybox, Monday, November 17, 6-9 p.m.

A Historic Roast Of George Washington in the sky box at Roy Kirby Stadium , plus dinner and a "celebration" of our dear President Tipson.

"The Office" Mini-marathon

Dining Hall During Cove Hours, Tuesday, November 18, up to 8:30 p.m.

If you can't get enough of Michael Scott, join us for a mini-marathon of one of NBC's latest hit series. Snacks will be provided.

Student Comedy Competition

Norman James Theatre, Wednesday, November 19, 6-9 p.m.

Featuring songs, skits, and stand-up—all by WC students. The competition will be judged by Comedian Evan Wecksall and a member of Improv Everywhere, Charlie Todd. Both of these comedians will perform as well. The student(s) who win the competition will get to open up for the Mainstage Comedian on Friday.

Rock Lit with Dan Kennedy

Norman James Theatre, Thursday, November 20, 8-9:30 p.m.

The Rose O'Neil Literary House and the Student Events Board's Comedy Week present ROCK LIT with author Dan Kennedy.

The Mainstage Comedian — Nick Swardson

Lifetime Fitness Center, doors open at 7 p.m.

The LFC will be decorated as a comedy club. Seating, food/drink and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $10 for students/staff/faculty. Each student/staff/faculty member can purchase up to four tickets at the discounted rate. Tickets are $20 for the general public. Advance tickets are available at the Washington College Bookstore or online a thttp://seb.washcoll.edu.

November 11, 2008

Comic Nick Swardson to Perform at Washington College

Chestertown, MD — Comedian Nick Swardson, star of the stand-up circuit and the big screen, will perform at Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center on Friday, November 21; doors open at 7 p.m. The special appearance, open to the public, comes as the culmination of the Student Events Board's Comedy Week, a series of comedic campus events.

Within his first year of performing stand-up, Nick Swardson was chosen to appear at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, as one of the top new comedians in the country. He then worked the road, steadily developing his style. For a brief time he moved to New York, where he became a regular on the comedy scene.

In 2000 Swardson was given a half-hour special on Comedy Central. He was only 22 years old at the time. From there, his career really started to gain momentum. He had garnered a great deal of notice and respect from many of his fellow rising comedy stars. One of them was Jamie Kennedy. He asked Swardson to write a screenplay for him that became the Warner Brothers feature film "Malibu's Most Wanted." The movie, in which Swardson himself had an acting role, performed well at the box office and caught the eye of the top executive at Happy Madison Productions: Adam Sandler. The relationship quickly became very fruitful.

Swardson has co-written "Grandma's Boy" for Fox and "Benchwarmers" for Revolution/Sony, which are both Happy Madison Productions. He was a co-producer with starring roles in both films. Additionally, Swardson can be seen in "Art School Confidential," directed by Terry Zwigoff, and DreamWorks' "Blades of Glory," starring Will Ferrell. Swardson recently produced and co-starred in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," with Adam Sandler and Kevin James.

Noted television appearances include "Late Night with Conan O'Brien." "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and a recurring guest-star role on "Reno 911!" Swardson also can be seen in the recent Adam Sandler hit "You Don't Mess With The Zohan."

Tickets for Swardson's November 21 performance are $10 for Washington College students, faculty and staff, and $20 for the general public. Advance tickets are available at the Washington College Bookstore or online at http://seb.washcoll.edu.

November 11, 2008

Love without Borders: 'Platanos & Collard Greens' Comes to Washington College

Chestertown, MD — The trials and tribulations of a cross-cultural couple are explored with insightful wit and heartfelt sentiment when "Platanos & Collard Greens," the smash-hit play visiting campuses nationwide, comes to Washington College's Norman James Theatre on Monday, October 13, at 6:30 p.m.

"Platanos & Collard Greens" is a romantic comedy that tells the story of Freeman, an African-American man, and Angelita, a Latina woman, who are both forced to confront and overcome cultural and racial prejudices, while defending their bond from family and friends.

With humor and hip-hop, the play tactfully addresses stereotypes, prejudices and urban myths that exist between African-Americans and Latinos.

"Platanos & Collard Greens" has enchanted audiences of over 40,000, both off-Broadway in New York City and at over 100 colleges and universities around the country.

The New York Times hailed it as "a modern-day 'West Side Story' ... it has developed a huge following among people who come to see it again and again."

The October 13 performance of "Platanos & Collard Greens" at Washington College is presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Department of Drama, the Department of Modern Languages, the Student Affairs Office and the Student Events Board, in honor of Latino Latina Heritage Month.

Admission is free and open to the public.

October 1, 2008

Paul Reed Smith Band to Play Prince Theatre, February 10

Chestertown, MD, January 30, 2006 — The Prince Theatre—in cooperation with Washington College's Student Events Board and SGA—presents the Paul Reed Smith Band in concert, Friday, February 10, at the historic Prince Theatre, 210 High Street, Chestertown. Show begins 8 p.m., doors open 7:30 p.m.

The first 100 Washington College students are admitted free with valid student I.D.

Tickets are $20 per person and benefit the fundraising efforts of the Prince Theatre Cultural Center and Foundation for the Arts. There will be a cash bar, but those 18 and under are welcomed. Tickets can be purchased at the Prince Theatre box office, 210 High Street, during business hours, Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling the box office at 410-810-2060 during business hours.

The Paul Reed Smith Band is guitar maven Paul Reed Smith's international touring band, showcasing the dynamic talents of seasoned, high-caliber musicians. With bassist Gary Grainger—whose seamless approach to virtually any style of music makes him one of the most sought after bass players in the world—guitarist Michael Ault, the showmanship of vocalist Derek St. Holmes, and the rhythms of drummer Greg Grainger—one of the best session drummers in the music business today—the Paul Reed Smith Band performs and records original rock and covers the classics as well.

The Band has performed throughout the U.S. at music industry events, tradeshows, music stores, and nightclubs for customers, artists, music industry peers, and diehard fans, in addition to playing for audiences in Canada, Japan, China, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and England. The Paul Reed Smith Band is currently working on a new CD project, with a probable May 2006 release date.

The Prince Theatre, located in historic Chestertown on Maryland's Eastern Shore, was built in 1926 as a vaudeville theatre and movie house. The meticulously restored theatre now presents a wide range of musical acts, special events, children's workshops and educational lectures. For more information about concerts and events at the Prince Theatre, visithttp://www.princetheatre.org.

Coffeehouse Mraz-Amatazz: Singer/Songwriter Jason Mraz Plays WC's Lifetime Fitness Center, April 8

General Admission Tickets On Sale March 21

Chestertown, MD, March 20, 2005 — Listen up you Live at Java Joe's junkies! Washington College's Student Events Board welcomes singer and songwriter Jason Mraz, with special guest, to the College's Benjamin A. Johnson Lifetime Fitness Center, Friday, April 8, at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Tickets for Washington College students, faculty, and staff are $15 per person with a five ticket maximum and can be purchased in the Student Affairs Office, 12 noon to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

General Admission tickets for the public are $25 per person and are available through all TICKETMASTERlocations or by calling 410-547-SEAT. Tickets will be available day of show for $30 per person.

Hailing from Mechanicsville, Virginia, Mraz grew up as a fan of the Dave Matthews Band and the Agents of Good Roots. With a poetic style mixing country and roots rock with coffeehouse folk, jazz, and the rhythmic charge of hip-hop, Mraz began his apprenticeship with an early interest in musical theater, which he pursued following high school at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. He dropped out after a year to take up guitar and to focus on songwriting, but his training as a vocalist would show itself on his debut album which critics praised for its marked clarity and vocal range.

In 1999, Mraz headed west and settled in San Diego, known for its coffeehouse music circuit where singer/songwriters such as Jewel found their start. Playing local shops, Mraz eventually landed a weekly slot at hot-spot Java Joe's. At the same time, Mraz met drummer Toca Rivera and the two began performing together—Mraz on acoustic guitar, Rivera on djembe—developing a live show that featured as much comedy as music. Over the next two years, Mraz's following grew, garnering him the attention of major record labels. In early 2002, Mraz signed with Elektra Records and returned to Virginia to write and record his debut studio album, working with veteran producer John Alagía and his high school heroes, the Agents of Good Roots, as his backing band. The resulting effort, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, was released in November 2002.

For more information, visit Jason Mraz's official website, www.jasonmraz.com.

Natty Nation Brings Genre Bending Vibe To WC, Feb. 4

Chestertown, MD, January 19, 2005 — Natty Nation—internationally known hard roots, rock and reggae genre benders—will play Washington College's Town Hall, Friday, February 4, 9:30-11:30 p.m. The concert is free for all Washington College students, staff and faculty with ID.

Known for weaving conscious lyrics, heavy rock, dancehall and dub into traditional roots reggae, Natty Nation has enjoyed a great fan base not only in their hometown of Madison, Wisconsin, but in cities across the country. Never shy for the rigors of the road, the band has traveled from coast to coast spreading their positive messages, using music to enlighten and unify people from different cultures, races and nations. As an “indie” band, they have produced and managed their own direction in order to follow their artistic impulses and diversify into what they call “socially conscious, educational hip hop,” never letting “industry norms” push them away from new musical adventures and styles.

On their newest release, Inatty in Jah Music, Natty widens their scope to include hip-hop, even heavier rock, harder dancehall, some traditional nyabinghi, soaking wet dub and even a little drum 'n bass, just to name a few. The driving beat of Natty Nation will not only make you want to jump up and dance, but to listen to the message of the music.

Visit www.nattynation.com for more information.

Sponsored by the WC Student Events Board.

Layin' It Down Live: Hip-Hop Pioneers, The Roots, Play Washington College, November 6

Chestertown, MD, October 11, 2004 — Philadelphia's live hip-hop pioneers, The Roots, will perform Saturday, November 6, at 8 p.m. in Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center. Doors open at 7 p.m.Tickets for students, faculty and staff, on sale through Friday, October 22, only, are $15 per person with a five ticket maximum, and may be purchased in the Student Affairs Office on the second floor of the Casey Academic Center between the hours of 12 noon and 4:30 p.m.

An underground sensation for the past decade, The Roots have recently broken through to worldwide acclaim for their live, instrumental rap, both in concert and in the studio, and critics consider The Roots' live shows among the best in the business. The Roots' focus on live hip-hop began in the late 1980s when rapper Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and drummer ?uestlove (Ahmir Khalib Thompson) became friends at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts. Since the duo had little money for the DJ essentials, they recreated hip-hop tracks instrumentally with ?uestlove's drum kit backing Black Thought's rhymes. Joined by bassist Hub (Leon Hubbard) and rapper Malik B., The Roots soon became a high-demand underground act in Philadelphia and New York. In 1993, they released their first CD to sell at shows.

Major-label status came with their second CD, Do You Want More?!!!??!, released in January 1995 and breaking stride with usual hip-hop protocol by forsaking the use of sampling. Peaking just outside the Top 100, the CD was ignored by most fans of hip-hop, but took off in alternative circles. In 1996, The Roots' second major-label CD, Illadelph Halflife, made it to 21 on the album charts. Undeniable commercial success finally arrived in 1999 with the release Things Fall Apart. Now, in 2004, The Roots have their own label, Okayplayer, and their seventh CD to date, Tipping Point, just released this summer.

Visit The Roots online at www.theroots.com.

For more information on upcoming concerts and events at Washington College, visit http://calendar.washcoll.edu. The concert is sponsored by Washington College's Student Events Committee.

Guitar Maker Paul Reed Smith And Band To Rock Washington College's Town Hall, October 17

Chestertown, MD, September 17, 2003 — Washington College welcomes world-renowned guitar maker Paul Reed Smith and his band to the College's Town Hall, Friday, October 17, starting at 9 p.m. The concert is free to all Washington College students, staff and faculty. Born in Bowie, MD, Smith attended Bowie High School and St. Mary's College, where he hand-built his first guitar for extra credits from his music professor. In 1975, Smith opened The Guitar Shop on 33 West Street in downtown Annapolis and custom built guitars for area musicians, honing his craft and hoping for a break into the rock music industry.
“I remember hanging out at the local concert arenas for six, seven hours before a show to make friends with the roadies,” says Smith. “With a backstage pass in hand I'd peddle my guitars to the stars. One night in ten I'd make a sale. Carlos Santana, Al Dimeola, Howard Leese, and well-known others agreed to ‘check one out.' I made deals. If the big names didn't love the guitars they didn't have to pay me even when I knew I couldn't make my rent the next day. After getting some single orders and a small following, we built two prototypes. I popped them in the back seat of my truck and cranked it up, calling on guitar dealers up and down the East Coast. After a lot of miles I came back with enough orders to start a company.”
Now, after a quarter century—from lone craftsman to major manufacturer—Smith and his company, PRS Guitars, are recognized for building the world's premier electric guitars. Manufactured on the Eastern Shore in Stevensville, MD, the distinctive style and sound of PRS guitars are known to both musicians and music fans alike, and are seen in the hands of the world's finest players, from Carlos Santana, Dave Matthews, and Dave Navarro to Alex Lifeson of Rush and Brad Delson of Linkin Park.
In his spare time, Smith enjoys playing and making music with his two bands, the Paul Reed Smith Dragons, which records guitar-driven, original songs, and the Paul Reed Smith Band, which he describes as “a bar band whose main job is to have fun and to make sure that the people who come get to dance, have a good time and listen to songs they know and hear a few tunes they don't.”
The Paul Reed Smith Band performance is sponsored by Washington College's Student Events Board and Student Government Association.

3 Doors Down Plays Washington College, October 18

Chestertown, MD, September 17, 2003 — The post-grunge quartet 3 Doors Down, with opening band Seether, will play Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center on Saturday, October 18. Doors open at 7 p.m., concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale September 22 for students and September 26 for general public. Tickets are available to Washington College students for $15.00 at the Student Affairs office and $25.00 for the general public through MusicToday, $30 for the general public the day of the show.
Born in the small town of Escatawpa, MS, 3 Doors Down was formed in the mid-1990s by friends Brad Arnold, Matt Roberts, and Todd Harrell, with guitarist Chris Henderson added to the line-up shortly afterwards. 3 Doors Down established themselves as one of the leading live attractions on the local circuit and released a self-titled demo CD in 1997. With a beefy sound, explosive dynamics and a high-impact blend of modern sonics and timeless rock conventions, 3 Doors Down became took a showcase slot at New York's CBGB's, which eventually led to a deal with the Universal Records subsidiary, Republic. Drummer Richard Liles was added to the line-up during recording sessions for the band's major label debut to allow Arnold to concentrate on vocals. The band's first major label release, The Better Life, elicited immediate comparisons to Matchbox 20. With tracks alternately evoking a slick, post-grunge sound or heavy, 1970s-style melodic rock, The Better Life became one of the surprise hits of the summer of 2000, reaching double platinum status and breaking into the Billboard Top 10. The band's second album, Away From The Sun, was also a national hit and launched the successful single, “When I'm Gone.”
Opening act Seether formed in 1999 in their home country of South Africa. Their first release, Fragile, gained instant notoriety and the band subsequently emerged as a top live draw. Their latest release, Disclaimer, was produced by Jay Baumgardner (Papa Roach, Drowning Pool) and features the songs "Pig," "Needles," and "Gasoline."
The concert is sponsored by Washington College's Student Events Board and Student Government Association.

Whose Line Is It Anyway? TV Comedy Trio To Perform At Washington College April 13

Chestertown, MD, March 28, 2003 — If you enjoy ABC's Whose Line Is It Anyway? , then you will not want to miss “A Night of Improv”—featuring the comedy talents of Colin Mochrie, Brad Sherwood and Chip Esten—Sunday, April 13 at Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center, 300 Washington Ave., Chestertown. Doors open at 7 p.m. General admission tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased through all TICKETMASTER locations, by calling TICKETMASTER at 800-551-SEAT, or at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Comedian Colin Mochrie is an alumnus of Toronto's famous Second City and spent a great part of his early career in improvisational theater. He later went on to star in such popular stage productions as She Stoops to Conquer and The Brady Bunch. Mochrie continues his 11-year association with the long-running British improvisational comedy series, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, in addition to its American counterpart, and has been featured in numerous other Canadian and British television series and telefilms including John Woo's Once a Thief; Love, Sex and Other Natural Disasters, and The Outer Limits. In addition to his work in television and theater, Mochrie has been featured in the films Numbers, starring John Travolta, The Real Blonde, January Man, and Foolish Heart.

Viewers may best remember Brad Sherwood from the sketch comedy series The Newz or as a love-struck nanny on LA Law. Sherwood has appeared on numerous variety programs, such as The Tonight Show, The Big Moment, It's Garry Shandling's Show,Guess TV, and The Dave Thomas Show. Most recently, he hosted a season of The Dating Game. His motion picture credits include That Darn Cat, Night Caller and Attack of the 5'2" Woman.

Another veteran of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Chip Esten has also been seen on television's Party of Five,The Trouble With Normal, Providence, Star Trek Voyager and Married with Children. Esten's film credits include The Postman and 13 Days.

This comedy concert has been organized by the Washington College Student Events Board and Student Government Association. For more information about concerts and events at Washington College, visit the College website at www.washcoll.edu for regularly posted information and updates.

Everclear To Perform At Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center October 5

Chestertown, MD, September 18, 2002 — Everclear, the Portland-based alternarockers, will perform Saturday, October 5, 2002, at 8 pm. in Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. Special guest to be announced. Tickets are $25 for general admission and are on sale now through all TICKETMASTER locations, or by calling TICKETMASTER at 800-551-SEAT.

Everclear—fronted by the irrepressible Art Alexakis—debuted in 1993 with the release of World of Noise. Widespread popular success followed when the band signed with Capitol Records and released Sparkle and Fade in 199), kick starting the band's career. In 1997 So Much for the Afterglow rocketed the band into stratospheric heights and sold over two million copies in the United States alone. Afterglow put them in the Top Five of Billboard magazine's Modern Rock Tracks chart three times for the songs “Everything to Anyone,” “I Will Buy You a New Life” and “Father of Mine.”

In 1998, the band was chosen “Alternative Artist of the Year” and won Billboard's “Modern Rock Artist of the Year” award. The year 1999 brought them a Grammy nomination in the Rock Instrumental category for “El Distorto de Melodica.” Their remake of Thin Lizzy's1970's black-t-shirt-mall-rat classic, “The Boys Are Back in Town,” was featured on the soundtrack to Detroit Rock City. In 2000, the Portland-based trio released the pop-inflected Songs From An American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning How To Smile (earning platinum) followed later that year by a harder-rocking companion, Songs From An American Movie, Vol. 2: Good Time For A Bad Attitude. Washington College is their first stop on a fall 2002 tour.

The concert has been organized by the Washington College Student Events Board and the Student Government Association.

Rusted Root To Perform At Washington College April 5th

College's Homegrown Astralyte To Open Show

A colorful and multifaceted band, Rusted Root has a winding history. Mike Glabicki (lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter) and Liz Berlin (vocalist, guitarist and songwriter) initially started working together in their college years. Jim Donovan (drums, percussion and background vocalist) and Patrick Norman (bassist, guitarist and background vocalist) joined in 1990, providing a uniquely driving rhythm section. They began performing together in their hometown of Pittsburgh and were later joined by multi-instrumentalist and visual artist John Bunyak who added the signature flute and pennywhistle melodies featured on the band's first hit single, "Send Me on My Way." The band has been rejoined for this tour by former member Jenn Wertz, along with percussionist and keyboardist John McDowell.Chestertown, MD, March 1, 2002 — Rusted Root will perform Friday, April 5, 2002, beginning at 8 p.m. in Washington College's Lifetime Fitness Center. Washington College's homegrown Astralyte will open the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 each for Washington College students, faculty and staff, $25 for general admission, and available at the Washington College Campus Center Café and from Ticketmaster by calling 800-551-SEAT. Ticket sales begin March 18, 2002.

In response to a growing public enthusiasm, Rusted Root released its first independently produced full-length CD, Cruel Sun, in 1990, which attracted the attention of Mercury Records who subsequently signed them to a major label recording contract. In 1994 they released When I Woke, which spawned the hit, "Send Me On My Way," as well as other Rusted Root standards such as "Ecstasy," "Martyr" and "Drum Trip." When I Woke went certified platinum in 1996. A more introspective album, Remember, released in 1996, was recorded at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, CA, and the band's self-titled disc, Rusted Root, released in 1998, featured a spirited cover of the Rolling Stones' classic, "You Can't Always get What You Want." In addition to these recordings Rusted Root has released three EPs entitled "Evil Ways," "Live" and "Airplane," as well as a full-length live video. Their music has been used in several major motion picture films, such as Home for the Holidays, Race the Sun and Mathilda, and they have toured with some of the icons of rock music, including the Grateful Dead, Page and Plant, the Allman Brothers Band, Sting and the Dave Matthews Band.

Opening for Rusted Root will be Washington College's own homegrown band, Astralyte, which includes former members of Ghostbox. Comprising recent graduates Ted Knight '97, Andrew Stein '99, Greg Parent '00, Tim Parent '97, and Ross Dettmering '00, Astralyte's sound is a mix of organic jams, electronic rhythms, and spacey beats, influenced by such artists as Radiohead, The Disco Biscuits, Widespread Panic and Groove Armada. Knight, Stein, and the Parents were founding members of Ghostbox, a campus band that produced two CDs together, while Dettmering formerly played in another campus band, NRG.

The concert has been organized by the Washington College Student Events Board and Student Government Association.