Campus Activities Magazine - February 2011 by The Cameo Group

APCA SHINES ON 13 Eric Lambert relates what is in store for buyers as they prepare for the Atlanta National and the Hershey spring conference. JOE CASTILLO’S SAND ART 24 You are bound to be impressed with his merging of art, light, music and stories. A one-of-a-kind experience. PETER BOIE 25 It’s more than magic or mystery. Peter delivers a novelty show that keeps the audience wanting more.

JASON LeVASSEUR 16 Jason LeVasseur is easily recognized as an entertainer who has made his mark in the campus market. With almost 2,000 performances and a decade of prestigious awards, it is no wonder his popularity continues to grow.

PORTRAITS OF COURAGE 26 An intimate look at historical characters that are often overlooked in considering issues of diversity. D E P A R T M E N T S

From the Publisher Laff Guru Real Life w/ Elaine Pasqua Discovering AEP

4 8 10 20

Artist Profiles 24-25 Entertainment Warehouse 29 Artist Report Cards 32 CA LIVE! at FIU 42

Z-MAGS® ONLINE VIDEO INTERACTIVE EDITION: campusactivitiesmagazine.com

RANDOM THOUGHTS & OTHER MINDLESS DRIBBLE

Any Excuse For A Website.

The new website we anticipated was launched a few weeks ago, five months late. While the developer we contracted with had met our desire to find a totally interactive website based around the Facebook platform, it appears that the staff of this company was not as trained on the complications of such an endeavor. After putting on them one deadline after another and the developer missing each deadline, we made it clear that the website had to be functional for the 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards. So rather than cleaning up the mess, they simply launched the site. The result was a system fraught with errors. For that, we have to offer our most sincere apologies to our readers and the 500 or so new subscribers who immediately signed up for the site (and that number is growing each day).

We are now in the midst of negotiations with an experienced Dolphin expert (Dolphin is the name of the platform that will run this program) to take over the site and give us the flexibility to make this site everything we promised it would be and more. At this point, the bugs are being resolved and much of the functionality of the website is going to added in stages. We envision now that all the search features and special interactive functions between schools and artists and agencies should be fully functional within the next few months. In the meantime, we would like to invite you to continue to sign-up for the site because your profile will be upgraded

with all the bells and whistles we promised as the functions are added to the site. Upon completion, you should be able to shop for a date for any artist on the site, indicate a strong interest form, view each artist’s video, negotiate a contract, see current tour schedules and interact with anyone in a Facebook-type environment...ALL FOR FREE READER’S CHOICE AWARDS

While it was anticipated that most, if not nearly all, the voting for the 2011 Awards could be done through this site, it does require that you sign-up as a member of the site and receive a confirmation in order to vote. Right now, this is functional and working and confirmations are being sent out on a regular basis. The reason for the confirmation process is to avoid allowing non-students or students not affiliated with an activities program to vote. Questionable potential members are being e-mailed back requesting that they verify they are a student involved with campus activities or student life or are an artist, agent or manager in the entertainment industry.

While our participation numbers have been very high for the last five years, there have been problems with some artists securing votes from people who had no involvement in the industry. To make this fair to all parties involved, our system will now perform random verifications to be sure artists are not trying to stuff the ballot box with unsubstantiated votes.

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When you sign up for our site to vote, you will be asked your position within the campus community and your current email address to verify you are who you say you are. If you do not enter an email address. your membership to the site can not be activated. If you do not indicate under “position” that you are associated with campus activities, student life or another program within your campus that actually programs entertainment, or if you leave that section blank, you will not be confirmed until we send you an email to which you respond indicating your involvement in campus entertainment. If you are an artist, agency or campus on the ballot for the 2011 awards, please note that the automatic tallies on the website do NOT include faxed and mailed ballots. We currently have some 1000+ individual votes as of February 1 and I am sure, more to come that will be added to those totals. So the numbers you see on the website represent only the online voting.

Here is another thing to consider. It costs nothing to sign up as a member of this site. And we will protect your privacy. Any information you give us will not be sold, bartered or traded with any third party vendors. Plus as we add additional features, no matter whether you are a campus activities buyer, artist or agency, your job and your ability to become emersed in the industry will become much easier. Please note that during this migration to the final stages of this site, should you have any issues that you need personal assistance with, Ian Kirby, here on our staff will assist you with explanations and your needs. Feel free to call him at (803) 712-1429. It is our desire

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to help you feel comfortable using this site and we feel we can all make the market more interconnected.

Well, apparently I didn’t and the “Laff Guru” column last month contained the wrong story. My apologies guys.

Most of you know that Campus Activities Magazine® has a sister publication, American Entertainment Magazine, which not only goes to campuses but nearly every segment of the entertainment market. Last issue, Spanky’s “Laff Guru,” was not written by Spanky. Unfortunately it was the text for a similar column in American Entertainment Magazine “Technically Funny” written by comedian, Greg Schwem.

I am pleased to announce we have secured space at the legendary Green Valley Ranch & Resort in Henderson, NV for the 2011 AEP National Conference. The official dates are September 19-21 and attendees will be treated to educational and business opportunities as the organization will bring together buyers from all facets of the entertainment industry.

Spanky or No Spanky

We apologize to both columnist and the error was clearly mine. Both columns come in each month as word docs and in many cases they come in unsigned with the feeling that I should be smart enough to know where to place the text.

AEP ANNOUNCES NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Celebrity, Mainstage and Emerging Artists will perform on the Ovation Stage, a state-of-the art facility with a capacity of 500 with built-in sound and lights. The exhibit area as well as the meeting will take place in the Green Valley Resort Convention Center attached to the hotel.

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We have managed to negotiate a sweet deal on rates courtesy of Leona Plaugh. The room rate is a mere $115+ tax per night which includes the $24.95 resort fee and guests will have the opportunity to reserve at that rate prior to and after the conference as long as the reservations are made in advance. The Green Valley Ranch is an excellent property with exceptional facilities and guest rooms. The conference facility next to the hotel is self-contained. The Ovation Stage has been host to many well-known celebrity performers.

We will soon have membership info as well as conference registration and showcase and exhibit information on our new website at aepworldwide.org In the meantime, should you have any questions. please contact Ian Kirby at (803) 712-1429.

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Let Sleeping Dogs Fly

Long ago, in a land faraway, a college student stepped to the microphone on “Amateur Night” at the local comedy club and uttered: “I have two dogs, both Pointers. I find a pile of poop on the carpet and they both point at each other… I didn’t know who to blame until I started feeding one of them corn.” I apologize you had to read that.

Just typing a joke that juvenile makes me blush with embarrassment that there was once a time in my life I was so immature I thought it was hilarious; even more humiliating, I thought others would too. But I was a very young student at the time, just starting my comedy career, and the line of good taste was still very blurred.

Fortunately, my sense of humor has matured some since then, which is more than I can say for some of my classmates, as I recently just discovered. I suppose every group of friends has that one person who takes a devious pride in the being the wild child of the bunch, fearlessly rebelling against authority, breaking the rules of society, and sampling the party monster lifestyle, which is acceptable to some degree, almost expected, when you are in college.

I just returned from a gathering of a handful of my closest college friends who had not seen each other in years (similar to the movie “The Big Chill” except without the funeral, classic soundtrack, or attractive cast). I was shocked to learn that our gang’s wild child (who will remain nameless for legal reasons) had grown older, but had not grown up. He was still using the word “party” as a verb…daily. Although it was still a bit exciting to be around such a free spirit, it was also somewhat sad, because he had failed to accept one of the realities of life: youthful rebellion when you are in your twenties can look sexy, but when you are approaching forty, it appears, well… pathetic.

The gathering was hosted by my dear friend, Betsy, the only member of the group that I had stayed in constant touch with. She lives with her husband, Paul, and their Golden Retriever named Alice, in a beautiful house in the country. The plan was for old friends to get back together and catch up, reminiscing about old times, perhaps over a glass of wine. But our group’s “Wild Child” concocted a different plan. He thought it would be funny to conceal fifty dollars worth of very potent marijuana in a pan of brownies and feed them to us (unknowingly) to bring us down, or rather, up, to his normal level of being high as a

kite. But as with most stoners who have made it a habit to “wake & bake” everyday of their lives, his plans took a detour.

Everyone had just arrived and was enjoying our first evening together, when he slipped away wearing a devilish grin. Moments later we heard a steam of profanity from his bedroom that would make the devil blush. We rushed in to see him standing over his ransacked luggage cursing Betsy’s dog, Alice, as she licked the last remaining brownie crumbs from a mangled Tupperware container. It took a few moments before he was calm enough to explain that Alice had stolen and consumed enough marijuana to get Cheech and Chong stoned for about a week. We panicked. Fearing for the dog’s life, the first thing I did was breakout my laptop and Google “Dog ate pot brownies.” It got 15,200 hits!

At first I thought this was a surprising large number, since I did not expect an incident like this to be such a common occurrence, but once I considered the combination of dog’s love of sweets and stoners irresponsibility, it seemed reasonable.

Turns out, the biggest danger to the dog was not the marijuana, but the chocolate in the brownies. We were relieved to learn that it requires about four pounds of dark chocolate to endanger a dog, an amount Alice, thankfully, did not eat. The advice most websites agreed on was to “Let the dog chill, like you would want someone to do for you if you were high.” They warned the animal may display irrational behavior (barking at things that are not there, unusual appetite, etc.) for the next three days, which coincidentally, was also the length of the gathering.

Once we knew Alice’s life was not in jeopardy, we were able to begin to see the humor in the situation. We sat down around the dog waiting for something to happen while the dog sat down and stared at a wall. Within an hour Alice was still staring at the wall (so high she could retrieve ducks that were still flying).

Since the dog was the party’s center of attention, we soon began to play the game “Wonder what she is thinking?” “Cats are not so bad after all.” “Did you ever really look at your paw?” “Licking your own genitals is so cool.”

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After a couple hours of staring at the wall she heard the doorbell and got motivated to leave the room, but by the time she got to the den’s doorway it appeared she had forgotten why and sat back down. I realized I was witnessing what the early symptoms of Doggy Alzheimer’s must look like.

I began to fear for the poor dog’s future. Picturing her doomed to a life of hanging out at bus stations, airports, or anywhere she might find luggage, searching for another fix. And the possibility of her getting a job that required drug testing was now impossible.

I returned from the gathering eager to record the incident of a poor Golden Retriever’s downward spiral into a life of drugs. Being a comedian I naturally thought this story might be fodder for material to use on stage, but was discouraged when I discovered that someone beat me to it; my Google search turned up a video of Sarah Silverman telling a similar tale on TV that had Katie Couric snorting with laughter. But since Sarah does not write a column in this fine publication, I can be the first to put it on a page. Hope you enjoyed it. DISCLAIMER: Let me be perfectly clear I do not condone any form of cruelty to animals (I’m a dog owner and card carrying member of the ASPCA) nor do I advocate any illegal activity. This column was not intended in any way glorify the use of mind altering substances; on the contrary, I hope it illustrates the dangers. (I mean, who wants to go around barking at things that are not there?)

EPILOGUE: Only moments after I finished typing the above, I received a call from the “Wild Child.” For the first couple minutes all I could hear was him giggling uncontrollably. When he was finally able to speak, he told me before the trip he had made two pans of brownies, one with pot and one without; when he returned home he discovered he had packed the wrong batch. (Thus explaining his giggle, as it was obvious he had just sampled the laced version.) Soon I was laughing too… at the thought we had spent the past three days staring at a lazy dog. “The Laff Guru” has taken his message of LAUGHTER=NIRVANA to all 50 states and 23 countries. To find out more about his awardwinning comedy act please visit: myspace.com/laffguru.

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BY ELAINE PASQUA

I’m Planning A Trip To Cancun for Spring Break. Do You Have Any Travel Tips?

Ah, Spring Break, a week when thousands of college students flock to the beaches of the U.S. and foreign destinations for fun and sun. Sometimes these trips can turn into a free-forall of bad decisions and not everyone returns with just happy memories. I’ve always said bring back souvenirs, not STDs!

key phrases in the local language. Learn basic salutations, how to ask for directions, and other phrases such as “Help.” Don’t carry a lot of cash, use credit or debit cards instead. Make photocopies of both sides of the credit cards and the first two pages of your passport. This way you’ll have all of the information if you lose them. Pack the copies in a separate place from the originals. Leave your parents or another trusted adult your contact information, and copies of your itinerary, passport, and credit cards.

Studies show that large quantities of alcohol are consumed during spring break trips. Many know someone who was sexually active with more than one partner and numerous spring break destinations report an increase in sexual assaults. The following tips will let you have fun and stay safe.

Learn about local cultural beliefs. Women should be respectful of cultural attitudes regarding dress and behavior.

If English isn't spoken in the destination you're visiting, it's important to learn at least a few

Never go out alone or leave a place with strangers, locals or fellow travelers. Stay with friends you know and trust. Even if you meet people and they seem friendly, they might not have the best intentions. Don't give out personal information or tell strangers what hotel you're staying at or where you're going. Be cautious entering closed spaces such as elevators and stairwells by yourself. Remember, there’s safety in numbers.

Be aware of your surroundings, and trust your instincts if you don’t feel comfortable. If you are being followed, step into a store or other safe place and wait to see if the person has passed. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to check to see if all is safe. Look confident. People don’t prey on individuals who look strong. Do not walk around with iPod buds in your ears! Not hearing your surroundings makes you vulnerable.

First, research your destination. If you are traveling outside the U.S. you can visit the U.S. State Department website. It provides Consular Information Sheets for over 170 countries with pertinent information on travel and safety for each destination. Find out what locations should be avoided and what types of crimes and scams are common.

Learn about the destination's laws on alcohol consumption and other activities. Penalties for behaviors such as public drunkenness or drunk driving may be much harsher than in the U.S. Don’t travel with small amounts of drugs or purchase drugs at your destination. Your U.S. citizenship doesn’t prevent prosecution in a foreign country.

Use recommended shuttle services or buses to get around. Only use reputable, licensed taxi services.

Ladies, pack a minimal amount of jewelry. Wearing expensive pieces could make you a target for theft, and you would be heartbroken if you lost them. When you leave your room, important valuables and documents should be stored in your hotel's safe deposit box.

For safety in your room, use your peep hole. Don’t open your door to anyone you do not know. If the person states they work for the hotel, call the front desk first to confirm this.

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If you consume alcohol, make sure you get your drinks directly from the bartender or a person you know and trust. Don't leave your drinks unattended. Don’t drink to get intoxicated! It’s one thing to catch a light buzz, but when you are wasted you lose your intuition, can become prey, or get injured. Avoid casual sex with someone you just met and always practice safe sex. Use sunscreen and reapply it every two hours or each time after you go into the water. There is nothing worse than feeling sore and looking like a baked lobster! Also drink plenty of non alcoholic beverages when you are in the sun to stay hydrated. Most importantly relax, watch out for one another and have fun! Questions on college life? Email me at elaine@elainepasqua.com. www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

The spring is shaping up to be very exciting for APCA, with events still planned for the Northeast region in Hershey, PA and of course the National Conference in Atlanta.

The National Conference will be held in its traditional location of the Sheraton in downtown Atlanta. “Atlanta has been a great home to APCA’s national conference for many years,” says Eric Lambert, executive director of the association. “It is easy to get in and out of and is familiar to our associates, however we will be in for a change come next year.”

The decision to move the conference to Jacksonville for 2012 is part of an organization-wide effort to bring the experience of each conference to a new level. “It has been a major focus of ours to find the nicest properties with the most amenities and as enjoyable an atmosphere as possible. It was our motivation behind hosting the Fall Northeast Regional conference at The Turning Stone Casino & Resort as well as the Spring NE Regional in Hershey. The Hershey Lodge is such a lovely property.” Eric relates that the Spring Advisors Institute in Las Vegas went very well also and featured the same types of comforts. “When we start in Jacksonville, the national conference will receive the same attention to the user experience. We will continue to upgrade venues, productions and experiences to make everything better for our members.”

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Another part of that general upgrade includes bringing a higher echelon of talent into the national conference to compliment the already solid field of quality and affordable entertainment APCA traditionally offers. “We have been making an effort to open the scope of both our campus & military buyers and the artists & agencies who cater to them. While APCA’s mission statement has always been to offer ‘Quality, Affordable Campus Activities Programming Services!’ we want to offer the delegates from larger colleges and universities as well as military buyers choices that suit them and their expanded venues, audiences and budgets.” This trend has worked well for APCA and in the last couple of years they have featured names like Edwin McCain, Dave Coulier, Young Jeezy, and Gallagher as the headliners. This

year’s national conference in Atlanta will be no exception.

“We are very excited about Bowling For Soup,” Eric says. “They are a known band with some great radio hits and their price is very reasonable for their stature. They are a funny, widespread and contemporary act and are certainly mainstream enough to appeal to nearly every demographic our buyers will be planning for. This is one of those shows that, even on a campus with very wide demographics, can be booked and work for just about anyone because of the band’s wide appeal. We can’t wait to see the reaction to their showcase in Atlanta.” One of the most gratifying aspects of being involved with a leadership and development organization like APCA is the full circle feeling of giving back that

BOWLING FOR SOUP

comes when someone’s life truly benefits as a result of their association with APCA. “I have seen it all in my time here,” Eric says. “I have seen students work up to advisor positions, artists turn to agents, students to artists, agents to advisors and all the way around. It is indeed gratifying to know that some direction has been added to many folks’ lives based on the knowledge and relationships they have built in the campus activities community through APCA.

Perhaps one of the most striking examples of this “APCA member madegood” scenario is in Mr. Kirill Reznik, formerly a student member of APCA who now credits his position as a Maryland State Delegate to the leadership skills and networking opportunities he gained through APCA and campus activities. “Kirill is one of my favorite stories, because here is a regular guy who came into the world of activities with no experience before APCA, has risen to enormous success and has told me personally that he credits his current position with the leadership skills he was able to learn here,” Eric says. Whether the feeling of feeding back into the community comes in terms of experiences their members have or through philanthropy they have encouraged, APCA is always looking for ways to pay it forward. “APCA Gives Back” is a prime example of this notion, collectively organizing the entire association towards like goals with a mantra of helping those in need. The association avidly supports several charities, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which has just launched a new division called Campus Cares. Campus Cares will concentrate on raising interest, awareness and involvement about AIDS research and prevention in the college community.

Other supported causes include Habitat For Humanity, the Lambs Foundation which helps elderly and indigent actors and the SAVA foundation which provides low cost eye surgeries to people in third world countries. 14, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, February 2011

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“My wife Jessica and I are both activists,” Eric passionately summarizes, “and our primary imperative in developing APCA over the past 16 years has been to instill a sense of purpose and interest in activism through campus programming. We believe that APCA, more than any other business that we are involved in, is positioned to influence the nation for the better. Campus activities seemed like a natural place to get involved, since we come from an entertainment background. Also, campus activities is one of the most visible arms of student life for the general population around the campuses. A well-executed and visible campus program partnered with community service and charitable partners can carry positive messages both to the campus populations and the surrounding communities.”

SAILESH

To find out more about APCA, their events or causes, contact them at (800) 681-5031 or visit www.apca.com.

APCA NATIONAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23

8:00 AM Registration Open 9:00 AM Banner Competition/ Service Project 9:00 AM Advisors Roundtables/ Networking 11:00 AM Preconference Workshop 11:30 AM Exhibit Hall Set-up (Associates) 12:00 AM Lunch on Your Own 1:30PM Conference Orientation 3:00 PM School Swap 3:30 PM Campus Speaker Showcase I 3:30 PM Associate Meeting (Mandatory) 5:00 PM Dinner/ Mainstage I 7:30 PM Exhibit Hall/ Novelties/ Co-op 8:30 PM Mainstage II 10:15 PM Exhibit Hall/Novelties/ Co-op 11:15 PM Late Night Mainstage Showcase

THURSDAY, MARCH 24

8:00 AM Registration Open 9:00 AM Educational Sessions 9:00 AM Co-op Caucus 10:00 AM Co-op 1 12:00 AM Lunch on Your Own 1:30 PM Mainstage III 3:00 PM Exhibit Hall Open/ Novelties 4:00 PM Value Showcase I 5:30 PM Dinner on Your Own 7:30 PM Special Events Showcase 9:00 PM Exhibit Hall Open / Novelties 10:00 PM Mainstage IV Showcase 12:00 AM Late Night Activities

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FRIDAY, MARCH 25

8:00 AM Registration Open 9:00 AM Educational Sessions 9:00 AM Co-op Caucus 10:00 AM Co-op 2 12:00 AM Lunch on Your Own 1:30 PM Campus Speakers Showcase II 3:00 PM Exhibit Hall Open/ Novelties 4:00 PM Coffeehouse Showcase 5:30 PM Dinner/Mainstage V 8:00 PM Exhibit Hall Open / Novelties 9:00 PM Mainstage VI Showcase 11:00 PM Late Night Activities

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

8:00 AM Registration Open 9:00 AM Educational Sessions 9:00 AM Co-op Caucus 10:00 AM Co-op 3 12:00 AM Lunch on Your Own 1:30 PM Mainstage VII 3:30 PM Exhibit Hall Open/ Novelties 4:30 PM Campus Speakers Showcase III 4:30 PM Associate Wrap-up - Mandatory 5:30 PM Break, Prepare for Awards Dinner 6:00 PM Awards Dinner / Mainstage VIII 8:30 PM Exhibit Hall Open / Novelties 9:30 PM Co-op 4 9:30 PM APCA Star ! 11:00 PM Late Night Activities

SUNDAY, MARCH 27

10:30 AM Cooperative Buying Wrap-Up Session DELEGATE FEES: Prior to 2/23 Member

1-5 delegates $229 each 6+ delegates $219 each Member Day Pass 1-5 delegates $159 each 6+ delegates $159 each Non-Member 1-5 delegates $269 each 6+ delegates $259 each Non Member Day Pass 1-5 delegates $169 each 6+ delegates $159 each

After 2/23 Member

1-5 delegates $249 each 6+ delegates $239 each Member Day Pass 1-5 delegates $165 each 6+ delegates $165 each Non-Member 1-5 delegates $289 each 6+ delegates $279 each Non Member Day Pass 1-5 delegates $185 each 6+ delegates $175 each

Delegate fees are non-refundable, but a $75 credit per cancelled delegate towards next conference is allowable in the event of cancellations toward any APCA conference to be held during the next oneyear time period. No charge for name substitutions. Spousal fee: $129. Spouse may NOT be an employee or represent the interests of any organization at the conference.

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Jason is so busy and comfortable in the college market he doesn’t seem to have any need to look elsewhere for work. In fact, he stays so busy on America’s The awards Jason has been able campuses he barely has time for to accumulate are largely due in anything else, including recordRacking up countless awards part to the amount of time he ing the new material his campus (well over 10 just with our mag, in- spends on the road and the num- market fans so desperately crave. cluding his nominations this ber of fans he performs in front of He managed somehow though, year), and thousands of dates on on a yearly basis. “I usually do because the thing Jason is curthe road, Jason proves that 140 shows a year at many differ- rently most excited about is probsometimes personality and pas- ent colleges, which takes up the ably the fact that his new record sion can mean as much as pure majority of my schedule.” is finally done. “My new CD is

Among the few performers who have cemented themselves with ever-growing cult-like followings, Jason Levasseur is one who has truly found a home audience with the campus audience.

talent. “I don’t even know how many awards I have won, but calling it 10 plus would be fair. It is very flattering, for sure.”

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done, I just went over to the plant today to sign the release form on the duplication of it, which is super exciting. It should be ready by Valentine’s Day, so all young lovers in the world can hold hands to my new songs soon,” he laughs.

This is Jason’s fifth solo CD, but only the third cut in a studio. Two live albums also compliment his catalog. “Watching The Girls Go By” was his debut followed by “Live in Eddie’s Attic.” “Driver is the DJ” was Jason’s second studio album with the title cut as one of his biggest hits, followed by “Live in Linonville.” The new album carries the title “In Another Life” and is the first album since “Driver Is The DJ” was released five years ago. Undoubtedly Jason’s fan base is very pumped. “I have already gotten some great responses through Facebook and email. I put up a free download on Facebook, which has really become the main contact avenue for me with students in the last couple of years.”

Facebook has certainly made an enormous difference in artists’ ability to stay in close touch with their fans, but has it made much of a difference overall when it comes to the level of bookings or business opportunities they are getting? For Jason, he thinks maybe just a bit, but the true value in social networking is simply letting his fans get to know him and feel like more than just observers. “No, I don’t think it has done a lot for me as far as bookings or merch sales, but I haven’t really tried to utilize it for that either. I haven’t put effort into advertising there or anything. But, what it has allowed me to do is be much more in touch with folks who already like my stuff or have already seen me play. Now that I really think about it, I don’t really know if it has led to any more bookings; I suppose if people read my updates on a regular basis, they remember I exist. When a committee is making a decision at the beginning of the year about who they are going to bring in that semester, maybe seeing my updates will have me in their collective consciousness. So, I can’t quantify that, but I would say yes, it has definitely helped on some way.” 18, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, February 2011

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Every artists’ individual development is unique and often the most interesting part of seeing a career progress. I ask Jason how much he feels he has evolved both musically and personally in the five years between “Driver Is The DJ” and “In Another Life.” “This album is a 12 song collection of music that I can perform myself live. I can perform these songs solo with confidence. On the last CD there was more studio fancy-ness going on; it was just a more highly produced and polished album. This one feels much more natural and organic to my ear. Whereas the last album had more icing on the cake, this album is more about making the cake so good no icing is needed. This is a raw version of me. There is still production value to the album with tracks of electric guitars, drums and background vocals. But there are not many effects or fluff; it is really about the songs themselves.”

Jason attributes this shift largely to his continuing to mature as a musician. “I am more confident in my writing, now I can admit to myself a song is great and doesn’t need all the flashy stuff on top of it. Because it has been five years since I have recorded,” he says (we’ll get to why so long in a second), “I have been playing many of these songs live for a while, so they have had a chance to be tested and gain popularity before they were ever recorded. Now, I am finally getting a chance to do so, but 2011 is a much different time than 2006, when I recorded “Driver is The DJ.”

This brings us to the question of why five long years have gone by since Jason last released a genuine studio album. “In 2006, people bought CDs,” he says, perhaps a bit wistfully. “In 2011, pretty much every student knows how to get any music they want for free.”

This presents a quandary for a musician like Jason who, for multiple reasons, might be hesitant on pulling the trigger on a new album. As both a touring musician and a family man, Jason’s time is precious to him, so any time spent not on the road proverbially feeding his kids or at home (actually feeding his kids), is a tough sell not to mention, it’s really expensive. As an artist who has to pay for www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

the recording process myself, there was a big debate on how much money I should spend on a project like this when there might be no way to make it back.” Having said that, artists create. That old mantra came back to win the day. “I went ahead with the project in large part to have the music out there for my fans and to continue to give my live show more content and depth. Also, with this album I would like to push more toward radio than my previous efforts. Like the other two albums, I also have an instrumental version of the songs, which we will try to market for use in film and television as well.”

Limewire perhaps will swing the pendulum back towards record sales and legal digital downloads, and Jason would be okay with this. It’s really all a matter of listeners being honest with themselves and justifiably fair with the artists they follow. “I can only hope that helps to sway some of the momentum back towards supporting artists’ music. I don’t want to take anything away from the public and I can understand downloading tracks to check them out, but if someone listens to my CD 10 or 20 or 100 times, it would be nice for them to make a donation (laughs). The public would see a lot more great and original music coming out if artists knew they could a least make their money back on the investment.”

“Producing this CD is a gamble that I have to take in order to keep moving forward and evolving as an artist, and I can only hope it works out...”

Jason explains that while having the music for people to listen to is important, perhaps the real difference between then and now is the way the music is distributed. “It makes no sense whatsoever to have my CD in a Target in Iowa. It doesn’t matter, because people are not buying the physical CDs unless I am on the radio in Des Moines.” It is hard enough for major label artists to sell CDs (just ask Diddy Dirty Money), let alone a guy that, while maintaining a solid fan base, is still completely on his own for production, marketing and promotions.

This all comes down to the same core issue so many artists face: Can I maintain this passionate pursuit and still eat? I love what I do, but food is also pretty cool too… “Producing this CD is a gamble that I have to take in order to keep moving forward and evolving as an artist and I can only hope it works out. I might not make the money back on this if none of my fans want to buy it. Now, they are all going to get the music. They will all wind up with the songs, but there is a chance none of them will pay for it.” Perhaps those who want him to ever produce another album will take this into consideration when they do decide on their means of acquiring this new one.

The recent spate of record industry assaults upon peer-to-peer file sharing networks like

Perhaps a future article will explore the costs of an independent artist producing a CD or even DVD for fans.

Right now, Jason is knuckling down and doing what he does best, hitting the road. “I had to take out a loan to finance this project, so now it is time to hit the road and tour like crazy to promote and support it. I will be sweeping across the country playing campuses everywhere and I am super excited to see how they react to the new album.

Jason has earned the respect of buyers across the marketplace and has racked up almost 2,000 performances for students the nation over! His level of professionalism and courtesy are second to none and he is even beginning to share these secrets with students. “Get Your Show On The Road” is an inspiring talk about finding your dream and pursuing it with passion and is a great talk to book in conjunction with Jason’s music show. Ask about special rates to get both of these highlights together.

BOOK IT! For more information on bringing Jason Levasseur to your campus, contact Bass/Schuler Entertainment at (773) 481-2600 or for virtual links, log on to our website at www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 19

Built To Enhance The College Entertainment Experience... And Your Life Afterwards Creating A New Buying Experience

Introducing the first ever organization to bring together entertainment buyers, artists and agents from virtually every sector of the entertainment industry from grass roots buyers on campus to world-renowned producers, managers and agency execs.

AEP is a professional organization designed to bring buyers of entertainment together with key professionals in the industry to make access to quality entertainment more readily available. Campus buyers can benefit from social and professional connections with artists and agencies unavailable to them in traditional marketplaces. For college buyers seeking career opportunities, here is the chance to be exposed to top-level talent and rub elbows with some of the most influential decision makers and agencies in the world.

Membership starts at just $199 for the first member of a college or university and $395 for any artist or agency. Additional members from the same organization are $50 each. You get a full 365 days from the date the initial membership is activated which includes not only a network of buyers and sellers in the industry, but the benefit of a functional, searchable online database, subscriptions to both American Entertainment Magazine and Campus Activities MagazineÂŽ, a monthly online newsletter, and special membership rates to the AEP national conference each year.

Exactly Who Should Consider Joining?

First of all, AEP is not meant to replace traditional campus entertainment organizations you may already be associated with but to extend your experience to talent and connections you might not necessarily find there.

The benchmark for talent presented in this organization is $5,000 and above, so it is perfect for campuses with buyers who are looking for upper mid-level entertainers, emerging artists in any field or celebrity talent. If you want to learn about buying and promoting highend shows and working with major agencies and middle agents who can help you with the learning curve, this is your connection. In addition, should you be considering exploring a career in any sector of the entertainment field, here you have a chance to connect with executives from all sides of the industry.

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There are several different entities on campus which should consider membership as entertainment professionals. Prime examples are directors of student activities and student life, directors of the performing arts center, the athletic chair for wellness and directors of the campus performance facilities. With each membership, student buyers under the directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership can be added for only $50 per year.

AEPWorldwide.org

While the National Conference will be a key way to meet face-to-face with artists and agencies that can change the way you are currently doing business, our new website can keep you up-to-date on a regular basis. Now under construction, this will be a private site for the membership to interact with each other. Buyers can have instant access to artists and agencies with photos, bios and videos of artists. If you need backline, sound, lights or video for a special event, you can find member contractors in or close to your area. You can ask for bids and references to make your decision.

And in addition to both Campus Activities MagazineÂŽ helping keep you in touch with the best campus acts and American Entertainment Magazine helping to provide you with talent from the rest of the industry, there will be a monthly e-newsletter to keep you updated on association and other industry happenings and options. www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

The AEP National Conference September 19-21, 2011 Green Valley Ranch & Resort Henderson, NV

Perhaps one of the most charming luxury hotels in Nevada, Green Valley is an excellent entertainment venue. The rooms are furnished with comfort and amenities and the convention center is only steps away. For this conference, we have negotiated an extremely affordable room rate which we offer to our members at cost, compared to the standards of some associations which tag on an extra profit for their rooms. You can get our room block rate of $115 per night plus tax and that includes the hotel’s $24.95 resort fee. This rate is available not only during the conference but the day before and after if you choose to extend your stay. While the property is not on the Las Vegas strip, there is a regular shuttle schedule both to and from the strip as well as McCarren Airport.

The 2 1/2 day National Conference will feature Emerging Artists, Mainstage and Celebrity showcases, with exhibit halls following each event to allow buyers time to meet agents and artists following their performances. Opening and morning sessions will give buyers the chance not only to learn from each other but socialize as well.

The showcases will be held in the Green Valley’s famous Ovation, a state-of-the-art club which seats up to 500 guests. The Ovation has a built-in stage with complete house lights and sound. Seating is a relaxed club style.

A complete itinerary as well as application forms for showcase, exhibits, conference registration and membership will be available soon when the new website is launched. In the meantime, information is available by calling Ian Kirby at Campus Activities Magazine at (803) 712-1429 or Leona Plaugh at AEP (803) 782-1947. www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 21

JOE CASTILLO ARTIST PROFILE

To behold an original piece of art, thus allowing it to captivate your imagination and stimulate your visual senses, has been both a tradition and a way of entertaining for as long as history has been recorded. But to be told a story though a work of art in motion is a truly rare and remarkable instance. In comes Joe Castillo. Performing in front of countless thousands, Joe’s art In Motion tells stories in a way audiences have never witnessed before. Joe is a multi-talented and multi-platform performance artist. Beginning his career in black and white drawings, Joe has worked his way through many mediums until he found the most recent and possibly most captivating; Sandstory.

Sandstory specifically is a brand-new medium that Joe discovered almost by accident. “It is new to me in the sense that I have been doing my artwork for twenty something years on a 4X8’ easel with a black magic marker, teaching as I drew. About 4 1/2 years ago, I was pastor at a church and it was around Easter. Because I was an artist, every 5th Sunday I would do some sort of creative or artistic piece which came along

with a message, to use as an outreach.”

Applying this same method Joe began to branch out and started performing for corporate events , associations and now on college campuses.

An artist is not necessarily an entertainer and it takes a special kind of artist to be warm and personable enough to build a rapport with a crowd while still maintaining a well-paced, entertaining presentation all the while creating an intricate piece of art. “I think part of the reason I was able to make a smooth transition from being not only an artist but an entertainer as well was the fact that I am a teacher at heart. If you look at any and all of my artwork, it all is layered in the sense of teaching lessons within the creation of the work itself. My drawings have stories embedded in each and every piece. Some of those stories can just be about life or a particular message about a certain group.” Joe has even presented half time shows in arenas that incorporate the home team’s logo to further invigorate the crowd. While creating magnificent works of art in front of huge audiences may sound entertaining enough, the score that flows throughout his stories bring it all together. “Music taught me a lot about the performance. Part of what happens when you begin selecting music is that you note the rhythm, measure and that it has a beginning and an ending. I think that is the way it needs to be with stories as well.”

While Joe Castillo performs for a number of different venus and age groups, college audiences have a special place in his career. “It’s both a fun and certainly an enthusiastic market to perform for. A lot of what I do has drama, passion, and excitement with it. There are very few audiences out there that are as enthusiastic as college audiences.” Joe Castillo is both exciting and endearing on and off the stage. “It is a very unique and exciting opportunity for me and my life and I am incredibly grateful to have it.”

BOOK IT! For more info on having Sandstory or the other programs Joe offers at your next event, contact him at (800) 670-5055, or for a virtual link, log on to our website campusactivities.com

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www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

PETER BOIE ARTIST PROFILE

Peter Boie is the magician for nonbelievers. He has done gigs for countless campus, corporate and special events clients, including one on one locker room sessions with the New England Patriots. With all of his impressive accomplishments and skill, the first thing one should probably know about Peter is, well...how to pronounce his name. “Unless you speak French, you are probably going to screw it up (laughs). Most people pronounce it ‘boy’ but it is actually ‘bwah,’ with the French twang.

Peter’s tagline of “The Magician For Nonbelievers” has served him well, perhaps as much for the ambiguity of the line as the seemingly contradictory nature of the statement. “Over the years, people have interpreted that statement in different ways and I kind of like to let them think about it how they want to think of it. Some folks think I will make them truly believe in magic by the end of the show and if they want to, maybe they will. Others believe it means I cater the show to those who normally don’t care for magic shows and I have had many people come up after a show and say they didn’t normally like the genre but they enjoyed my performance.”

Peter comes from the school of performance that says one doesn’t have to necessarily sell the audience on the supernatural for them to have a good time. “I pretty much just level with the audience up front like ‘Okay, I don’t really believe in magic and neither do you, but check this out because it is pretty cool and you won’t understand it, so just enjoy the show.’ The show means more to people if they come up with the meaning themselves.”

Probably the most exciting and notable accomplishment in Peter’s budding career is the face-to-face performances he has been able to do for the New England Patriots. One has to wonder who’s shoes one has to shine to get a foot in that door. “(Laughs) That is one of those things that kind of gets through the grapevine. I am originally out of the Boston area (though now residing in Maine) and there were a few different agencies there that used to call me. I got a call for this very cool gig for the Pats once. It was awesome, because I got to meet and do magic for most of the players.” www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

It was a somewhat intimidating gig to do considering not only the acclaim of the audience, but also their sheer dimensions. “There was a new guy there who was about 6’7” and I had to look WAY up to see him...they were absolutely huge guys. It was great, because by the end of the party, I had most of the players gathered around me asking Bob Craft, the owner, if I could come to the team meetings from now on.”

Peter Boie is quickly making a name for himself in the campus market, even garnering a nomination in this year’s Reader’s Choice Awards. Keep an eye on him and catch him early in his career for a true value on an up-and-coming magical commodity.

BOOK IT! For more info, contact him at (800) 643-2924 or contact him through his profile on our website at campusactivitiesmagazine.com February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 25

Often, we cannot truly appreciate the position of being in someone else’s shoes until we walk a mile in them. This is exactly the aim of Colin Cox and Will & Company, a theatrical organization based

in Los Angeles. “We are so called because we began by performing a lot of Shakespeare, including touring through California doing educational programs based on the bard’s work,” Colin says.

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This evolved into a campus touring company, with a primary focus on exploring and understanding diversity among our campus populations and multiculturalism in The United States. “In this, we have www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

developed a number of plays, five in total that tour college campuses. Each one has the goal of addressing diversity and the history of diversity in the United States,â&#x20AC;? Colin says. www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

As the creator and driving force behind the project, to find the true motivation of Will & Co. is really to find the true motivation of Colin. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People often ask me why I am doing this and the per-

sonal mission for me is to truly change the general historical perception in the U.S. taught by the conveniently omissive ninth grade history books. We want to feature some of the people who

February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 27

should have been included in those lessons and weren’t.” This forms the basis of the series of plays entitled “Portraits Of Courage,” focusing on these varying historical characters often overlooked in our typical record.”

Will & Co. also have a series of one-woman productions entitled “Faces Of America” similar to the “Portraits Of Courage” series with the exception that these features focus on contemporary characters. “These are taken from interviews and also address the issue of diversity, just in a more modern context with much more recognizable figures.” In case you didn’t pick up the accent by reading his quotes, Colin is not a native born American. While this may at first seem counterintuitive for a presenter working in the subject of the United States’ diversity and multiculturalism, it provides him a uniquely objective view of our culture. “It is interesting to say I wasn’t born and bred into this scenario, because England has its own problems and I am a peculiar chameleon of a fellow in a way anyway. I trained formally as a biochemist, then I became a Shakespearean professor and now I am a playwright and screenwriter, so I have a very strange amalgam of interests in my life.”

This may seem like an innocuous and random set of circumstances for one life, but when you take a step back and think, one could certainly see how this blend of passions both scientific and social could produce a witch’s brew of tolerance and an understanding of diversity. “I have had a weird journey and am the son of a soldier. He was an English soldier, but I did travel the world as a boy all the same. I saw many places and many cultures and I think this generated my personal intrigue about the nature of racism and different cultures across the globe.”

Rather than spending his entire life in the U.K., Colin was all over the world and even hopped across the “pond” to get here, just not the one we typically think of the English crossing. “I was teaching biochemistry in Japan just before I immigrated to the U.S. and became an actor. I really didn’t want to go back to England, mostly because of the weather (laughs) and I had always had a desire as a child to live in the United States. Once I got here and started the theater company, I began to cast actors not because they fit the traditional stereotype of the role (like

Henry V being a white English King), but because they had great talents and personality be they male or female, African-American, Asian or Caucasian. We became known as a classical theater company that was incredibly diverse in its casting.”

Out of this fusion came inquiries as to how they might address diversity issues on campus as a theater company. “This was back in 1995 when many college presidents and deans were being pressed to address their campus cultures, many of which were far from diverse. In parts of the country that is still the case.”

In an era when affirmative action was the hot button issue, executives, administrators and other officials were scrambling to meet the public’s expectations. “People were starting to wake up and look around on their campuses and ask ‘Where is the rest of America?’ It seemed to be this sort of very homogenous and European domination, I even often joke I have learned more European history in America than I did in Europe (laughs). However this seems to be what the history books are filled with, that a group of white Englishmen came to these fair shores and established this manifest destiny which we call the United States. That could not be further from the truth.”

Colin explains the diverse multiculturalism of this country was paramount and key to its growth and evolution, not something introduced with immigration suddenly at some point down the line. “This notion intrigued me and being a member of that white, heterosexual European male group who really is to blame for much of the hardship that has taken place in this country, I felt I could do something to help shift this conception.”

28, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, February 2011

Colin teamed up with another performer, Fran De Leon, who had been touring the country with the popular attraction PLAYFAIR and she too was getting many questions regarding diversity in America. “Fran and I first created the show called 'Faces of America,’ and I remember saying to Fran ‘If we are going to do this, you need to play all the characters one would be likely to encounter around the United States.’ We developed the show from a series of interviews we did and created a set of eight characters to star in the play.”

These young and contemporary characters were meant to reflect the college audiences who were watching the show. Eventually developing the show well beyond what they originally planned, the project has now grown to impressive proportions and credentials. “That show has now performed at something like 500 colleges across America in the last 12 years.” The performances have continued to develop and take shape in different forms. “Portraits of Courage” is a series of plays that look specifically at the experiences of various cultural groups in the U.S. and has several adaptations based on ethnicity or group including “African-Americans You Wish You Had Known,” “Latinos Shaping A Nation” and “American Women.”

All the various subjects explored by Will & Company are thought-provoking, inspiring and completely unique. Consider bringing them to your campus today.

BOOK IT! For more information on “Portraits Of Courage” or any of Will & Co.’s other exciting presentations, contact Admire Entertainment at (877) 236-4738. www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com2

THE RATING SYSTEM: 5= EXCELLENT 4= VERY GOOD 3= AVERAGE 2= FAIR 1= POOR

AGENCY COOPERATION

PROMO

ROAD CREW/ MGMT

COOPERATION/ATTITUDE

ARTIST'S ABILITY

NOVELTY/ GAMES

ORIGINALITY

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BOX SCORES

RELATIONSHIP TO AUDIENCE

If you want to know how good an act might be that you plan on booking, just ask another campus where they have played. Here are reports from our readers on recent playdates. No report may be submitted older than six months (180 days) at the time of our deadline for the issue. If you would like to report on a performance, complete a form on our website at campusactivitiesmagazine.com, use a form in this issue or request one at (803) 712-1429. Forms can easily be submitted online, by mail or fax. All forms online must have complete verifiable information. Mailed and fax forms must be signed. Agents and/or acts have the right to respond to negative reports. No reports will be accepted from agencies. All reports must be submitted by the school where the date was played.

INTENSITY GAME SHOW Cutting Edge Productions

Kankakee Community College, Kankakee IL Sarah Zirkle, Student Life, 2/28/10 North Missouri College, Trenton MO Lesli Wyatt, Res Life Coord, 3/23/10

Scott Community College, Bettendorf IA Michelle Allmendinger, Actv Coord, 4/20/10

Red Rocks Community College, Lakewood CO Ernie, Program Coordinator, 9/14/10 Colorado State University, Pueblo CO Kellie Close, Student Events Coord., 9/16/10

Event was good but had to move to a smaller venue. Crew was not familiar with portions of programs/equipment. Technical issues. Event went well. Earl was fabulous & very flexible making sure we were accommodated appropriately.

KARAOKE / DJ Kirkland Productions

Texas Women’s University, Dallas TX Chré Parnell, S.L. Coordinator, 9/7-9/8, 2010 LIVE BAND KARAOKE Bass/Schuler Entertainment

University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB, 8/21/10

The band was great. We could just listen to them all night, Then, adding students doing karaoke only makes it better.

Mercer County Community College, West Windsor NJ Karissa Kozlak, Coordinator 4/22/10

Great Program! Great Service! We will definitely have the Movie Poster Show back.

UNC-Charlotte, Charlotte NC Lesha Terry, Director CAB, 9/10/10

Great program! I look forward to working with this agency again for other events.

MOVIE POSTER SHOW Cutting Edge Productions

West Virginia State University, Institute WV Vikki Green, Admin Sec, 8/31/10

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www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar IA Troy Vande Lune, Assist Dir Student Life, 9/21/10

AGENCY COOPERATION

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Emmanuel College, Franklin GA Philip Carter, Dir Campus Life, 8/18/10

Texas Women’s University, Dallas TX Chré Parnell, Student Life Coord, 9/7/10

Very Cooperative! Patient with students.

University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB, 8/21/10

Samantha was great. Even with a long line, she offered students from another novelty line a board, so they left w/ something.

University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB, 8/21/10

We loved the logo keychain. Such high quality.

University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB, 8/21/10

Professional, animated and fun!

Northeast Iowa Community College, Peosta, IA Kara Popp, DSL, 9/22/10

Southside Virginia Community College, Keysville VA Hannah Guarino, Ed Specialist, 10/11/10

The pixel quality was poor and the integration of the photos/graphics was unsatisfactory. Quality was poor. Jonathan did a great job. Our students really enjoyed the activity. We can’t wait to have Jonathan & The Movie Poster Show back.

P.E.E.R.S AWARENESS (DUI SIMULATOR) P.E.E.R.S College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX Melissa Judson, Admin Assist., 9/28/10 P.E.E.R.S TEXTING P.E.E.R.S

This was a great opportunity for our students. We’re sure it made a great impact. We were pleased with the recruiting efforts of the crew.

PHOTO BOOTH Kirkland Productions

Texas A&M University, Kingsville TX Crispin Trevino, Assoc Dir, 10/2/10 PHOTO DRY ERASE BOARDS Fun Enterprises PHOTO KEY CHAINS Coyote on Campus

PHOTO POST CARDS 2 HOME Coyote on Campus

PHOTO T-SHIRTS The Smith Agency

Wichita State University, Wichita KS Tia Hill, Activ Advisor, 8/26/10 PUT IT WHERE YOU WANT IT Cutting Edge Productions

Peru State College,Peru NE Chelsea Allgood, SA Coordinator, 2/4/10

Hannibal-LaGrange College, Hannibal MO Margaret Street, DSA 4/7/10 William Jewell College, Liberty MO Sara Bailey, DSA 4/9/10

Southwest TN Community College, Memphis TN Phoenix Worthy, SA Coordinator 4/14/10 Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg MA Kate Thompson, Resident Director, 4/22/10

Saint Francis University, Loretto PA Kate Snyder, GA 4/24/10

www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

We hosted Photo T-Shirts at our student center. They were the center of

4 attention. Many passed up free food to stand in line for a custom T.

Great event. Would love to bring it back! Eli & crew were great to work with. We are looking forward to booking with CEP again. Students loved this event. Extremely popular. Eli did a great job and interacted well with the students.

February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 33

Northeast Iowa Community College, Calmar IA Troy Vande Lune, SLD 8/24/10 Kankakee Community College, Kankakee IL Sarah Zirkle, Student Life Coordinator 9/27/10 Kaskaskia College, Centralia IL Crystal Gray, CSL 10/18/10

Eli was very personable, worked hard & was easy to work with. He had a line pretty much the whole time. We’ll have him back.

We always enjoy bringing them to our campus. The students loved the idea and of course, the free stuff.

Randy Waite was easy to work with. The show was a big hit. When everything else was falling apart, I knew I didn’t have to worry about this.

AGENCY COOPERATION

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COOPERATION/ATTITUDE

RELATIONSHIP TO AUDIENCE

ARTIST'S ABILITY

ORIGINALITY

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BOX SCORES

SATURDAY NIGHT CASINO Auburn Moon Agency

University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB 8/21/10

This event is loved more each year!

University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB 8/21/10

Just amazing. We love the collage she made for the school.

Neumann College, Aston PA Jim Gallo, Assist DSA 9/28/10

Show was great. The kids loved it.

SILHOUETTES BY KATHRYN Everything But The Mime

SMARTER THAN A FRESHMAN GP Entertainment

Georgian Court University, Lakewood NJ Sarah Kelly, Coord SA, 8/29/10 Mount Ida College, Newton Centre MA Heidi McLore, Assoc Dir 8/30/10

Shaun was very personable, easy to work with. Will definitely be using GP again.

Show was excellent. Hosts made it extremely fun for the students. Would do it again!

Elmira College, Elmira NY Nick Butts II, Interactive Co-Chair 10/1/10

Lots of fun! Performer was great.

Quinnipiac University, Hamden CT Steve Pagios, Assist Dir. 9/3/10

As always, Fun Enterprises provided high quality at a great price. Gave us a great variety at the last minute. Students are still talking.

University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB 8/21/10

Many extra options than other street signs. Great quality.

Great game show. Wish more people came to help out the company. Lots of fun.

SPIN ART FRISBEES, ETC. Fun Enterprises

STREET SIGNS ON CAMPUS Coyote on Campus

STREET SMARTZ GAME SHOW GP Entertainment

Miseracordia College, Dallas PA Bryan Hepburn, Student Act Pres. 3/27/10

Penn State-Abington, Abington PA Michael Reeves, Common Break Chair 9/1/10 SWIFT KICK / DANCE FLOOR THEORY Red Rover University of Akron, Akron OH Tiffany Schmidt, GA-RHPB 8/16/10

The leadership students loved the mix of presentation and energizers. We still have students walking around with Free Hugs signs.

Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne WY Jennifer McVay, 8/26/10

Great show!

THE MONEY TREE GAME SHOW The Smith Agency

College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe NM Anne Ritchie, Student Actv Coord, 8/29 Clarendon College, Clarendon TX Candra Crittenden, 10/5/10

Great show!

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www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

THE REAL DEAL CRAZY GAME SHOW The Smith Agency DeVry University, North Brunswick NJ Student Activities Coordinator, 3/03/10

Sampson Community College, Clinton NC Tracy Moore, Student Activities Coord, 3/18/10 Arkansas Tech, Russellville AR Associate Dean, 4/23/10

Patrick was a great host. He was extremely energetic and friendly. The students had a geat time.

Texas A&M/ Commerce, Commerce TX Wendy Morgan, Student Actv Director, 3/11/10

Pennsylvania State Univ/ Brehend, Erie PA Jess Sweitzer/Meredith Staub, Res Life 3/19/10 Indiana State University, Terre Haute IN Michael Krieger, Grad Advisor 3/22/10

Mercer County Community College, West Windsor NJ Karissa Kozlak, Coordinator 3/30/10 Birmingham-Southern, Birmingham AL Misty Fingar, Asst Dir 4/13/10 University of Evansville, Evansville IN Cara Fabrocini, Assist Dir 4/15/10 Wagner College, Staten Island NY Sabrina Slater, 8/30/10

TSA NOVELTY/VARIETY PACKAGE The Smith Agency

St Cloud Technical College, St Cloud MN SAB, 8/25/10

College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe NM Anne Ritchie, Student Actv Coord. 8/29/10

East Wyoming College, Torrington WY Lance Petsch, Activities Coord 4/14/10

Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley GA P.J. Petersen, Student Actv Coord., 9/27/10

TRUCKER HATS & WAX HANDS Kirkland Productions

University of Texas, Pan American, Edinburg TX Edna Tambrano, Dir Student Actv VAL’S CUSTOM LEATHER BRACELETS Everything But The Mime Quincy College, Quincy MA Kathi Schaeffer, Student Activities 5/4/10 WAX TO THE MAX CANDLE ART The Smith Agency

Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro NC Jane Bowman, Student Actv Coord., 4/22/10

www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

AGENCY COOPERATION

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Wax Hands were terrible. Very lumpy. Trucker hats were great. All the staff was great.

Val was very patient as the student selected what they wanted on the bracelets. They got to do the leather coloring themselves.

Patrick exceeded our expectations. He was able to connect with our students and grab their interest.

We took this event over for another department so communication was confusing.

Very personable and professional. Very self-sufficient with loading and unloading and set-up.

The Reality Check Game Show was great. We will definitely have it back. Would ask the host speak a little louder/interact with crowd.

Crew was very friendly and great to work with.

The agency & the performer at the event were great. I thought the event would have been more polished. Ist or 2nd event w/this crew.

Crew was prompt and friendly. Equipment was clean but needed our assistance with minor repairs on site.

Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff MO Gina, 9/22/10

TOTALLY TATTOOS The Smith Agency

ARTIST'S ABILITY

Shawnee Community College, Ullin IL Carolyn Kindle, VP Student Services, 10/12/10 REALITY CHECK GAME SHOW P.E.E.R.S

ORIGINALITY

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BOX SCORES

Was skeptical of this show to begin with but the students loved it. Was more popular than I could of imagined. Excellent Show. Over 600 tattoos completed. Can’t wait to bring them back.

February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 35

WAX TO THE MAX WAX HANDS The Smith Agency

Chowan University, Murfreesboro NC Frances Cole, Dir of Programming 4/23/10 X-BOX 360 DOMINATION EXTREME GP Entertainment

Florida State University/Panama City, Panama City FL Nicole Parker, SGC Rep 3/16/10 Lakewood High School, Lake Odessa MI Robin Chase, Co-Chair 5/27/10

Everyone loved this show - kids, teens and adults. The artists took the time to work with everyone too. I will have this event again.

This was great entertainment. Our kids were all busy with the activities. Thank you for a great event.

AGENCY COOPERATION

PROMO

ROAD CREW/ MGMT

COOPERATION/ATTITUDE

RELATIONSHIP TO AUDIENCE

ORIGINALITY

ARTISTÕS ABILITY

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BOX SCORES

ZAPPED LAZER TAG The Smith Agency

Blackburn College, Carlinville IL Abbey Hardin, DSA 8/29/10

University of Mobile, Mobile AL Trey Taulbee, Campus Activities 9/11/10

East MS Community College/Scooba, Scooba MS Taylor Ray, DSA 9/14/10

SPEAKERS

THE DATING DOCTOR: DAVID COLEMAN Coleman Productions Quinnipiac University, Hamden CT Steve Pagios, Assist Dir. 9/3/10

Gainesville State College, Watkinsville GA Heather Tommey, Wellness Intern 9/30/10 ELAINE PASQUA Pasqua Productions Inc.

St Joseph’s College, Patchoque NY Celeste Guavneri, Assoc Dir Student Life, 10/25/10

Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights KY Chrissy Soards, Assist Athletic Dir., 11/7/10 Villanova University, Villanova PA Allison Venella, Coord of Student Svcs 11/17/10

JESSICA PETTIT Kirkland Productions

Loved the show! We used our own promo because the promo from TSA was dated. Need to update. Otherwise very satisfied. The materials were a little less than what I expected. I really enjoyed the technicians.

An educational, fun and memorable event helping students make better relationship choices. Great entertainer. Great agency. Amazing job! Everyone loved David & can not wait to have him back. An amazing ability to balance professionalism & fun.

Elaine was great! She connects with students and surprises them at the same time. I have only gotten positive feedback. Elaine was great! Very prepared. She spoke to freshmen & Sophomore student athletes. She engaged the crowd.

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona CA Plya Bose, Area Coordinator, 9/15/10

Student feedback was excellent. Students were referring to Jessica’s presentation days & weeks later.

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles CA Kristin Linden, Director 10/11/10

30 staff attended the workshop. 18 responded to a survey. 39% thought she was excellent, 33% rated her good, balance fair.

Texas A&M University, College Station TX T. Survillion, SDSII 9/25/10

Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti MI David Monge, Coord Greek Life, 10/19/10

Jessica is creative and extremely in tune with our group. She allowed them to be flexible w/o staying too comfortable. Will bring her back.

UNC Charlotte, Charlotte NC Ted Lewis, AD Sexual/Gender/Diversity 10/28/10

Natl Center for Student Leadership, Lake Buena Vista FL Kate Poppe, Program Manager 11/4/10

Washington University in St Louis, Saint Louis MO Zachary Thornhill, Fellow for Diversity Initiative, 11/9-10. 10

Jessica was breath of fresh air for this campus. Promo materials from her website are excellent as well.

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University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT Trisha Jensen, Assist Dir 11/30/10

AGENCY COOPERATION

PROMO

ROAD CREW/ MGMT

COOPERATION/ATTITUDE

RELATIONSHIP TO AUDIENCE

ARTISTÕS ABILITY

ORIGINALITY

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BOX SCORES Jessica was a pleasure to have on campus. She delivered a great message and connected with our students in a positive way.

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater OK Jen Macken, Coord Women’s Affairs

Dr. Corvino was absolutely fantastic! The audience gave very positive feedback and working with Kirkland was easy start to finish.

University of Dayton, Dayton OH Sarah Schoper, Assist Dean 10/26/10

Dr Corvino was great to work with and really got a constructive dialog going on our campus.

DR. JOHN CORVINO Kirkland Productions

Harper College, Palatine IL Ernie Kimlin, Coordinator 10/14/10 MARC ELLIOT Coleman Productions

Tacoma Community College, Tacoma WA Reuth Kao, Coord Student Life 10/27/10

Lyndon State College, Lyndonville VT Kayla Carlozzi, Student Actv Coord. 10/28/10 Bethany College, Bethany WV Heather Mullendore, DSA 11/7/10

Ferris State University, Big Rapids MI Melissa Hanson, Co-Programming Coordinator 11/18/10

NOVELTY/ LIVE

The presentation was interesting & thought provoking. Students arrived 30 mins early to get a seat. SRO! Great presentation.

Marc was amazing. Would definitely recommend him.

Marc was wonderful. He was a great speaker and cares about students. A truly nice and genuine guy. Marc was a really inspirational speaker and our school enjoyed hearing things from his perspective.

CHRISTOPHER CARTER Bass-Schuler Entertainment

Indiana University/ South Bend, South Bend IN Sam Centellas, Dir Student Life, 10/21/10 Clarkson College, Omaha NE Chuck MacDonell, Dir. Student Center

Northern Iowa Community College, Peosta IA Kaitlin Udelhoven, VP Activities 10/28/10 Dominican University, River Forest IL Bill Blugokienski, Assoc Dir., 10/29/10

Independence Community College, Independence KS Sally Cuifulescu, Dir of Admissions 11/29/10 CRAIG KARGES Karges Productions

Regis University, Denver CO Andra Bickel, Assist Dir Student Actv 9/23/10 University of South Alabama, Mobile AL Heather D Sprinkle, SA Specialist 9/30/10 Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN Anna Thomas, Assist Director 10/8/10

Brescia University, Owensboro KY Lucas Langdon, Assist Dean of Students 10/14/10

DANIEL MARTIN Bass/Schuler Entertainment

Southern Oregon University, Ashland OR Ryan Green, Assoc Dir Student Life, 9/23/10

Clark University, Worcester MA Kathryn Capenera, Assist Dir of Student Leadership 9/24/10

www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

Chris put on a great show - Our students loved it!

Christopher was very easy to work with. He did a wonderful show that engaged the audience.

Christopher Carter’s performance was outstanding and we will be bringing him back to our campus.

Best event of the year so far! It was such a pleasure to work with Craig. Students enjoy his show from year to year!

Craig was amazing! The audience was completely engaged from beginning to end. Everyone had a wonderful time.

Great to work with Craig! Would love to have him back again. Our attendees loved his show.

Terrific to work with. Very accommodating. Puts on a fantastic show every time. We were thrilled with the event. Hope to have back.

Dan is an amazing performer. He is super easy to work with. We want him to come back again. Always a crowd pleaser.

Daniel was incredibly easy to work with and super flexible. His show was funny, engaging, unique and very entertaining.

February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 37

Lasell College, Newton MA Kriston Gallo, Assist Dir Student Actv, 9/25/10 Dixies State College, St George UT Tanya Smith DSCSA Chair 10/1/10

Williston State College, Williston ND Kayla Retzer, Student Life Coordinator 10/27/10 Drury University, Springfield MO Allison Griffith, SAB Advisor 10/8/10

College of Saint Mary, Omaha NE Jenny Wittstock, Dir Student Leadership 11/3/10 Lock Haven University, Lock Haven PA Caitlin McAloon, Perf Arts Chair 11/4/10

Boise State university, Boise ID Nina Khampha, Spec Events Coordinator 11/8/10 Missouri Valley College, Marshall MO Emily Skellett, Student Actv Coord 11/10/10

Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon WI Heidi Zenner, Event Director 11/18/10

FREDERICK WINTERS Bass/Schuler Entertainment

University of WI-River Falls, River Falls WI Kelly Deutschman, FYE Manager 8/30/10 Northern State University, Aberdeen SD Kat Brown, President 9/17/10

Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago IL Angela Ng, President Union Board 9/23/10 University of Mary, Bismarck ND Amber Flickinger, SA Coord 9/28/10

Wiliston State College, Williston ND Kayla Retzer, Student Life Coord. 9/30/10

Trine University, Angola IN Whitney Doyle, Dir Student Life 10/8/10

University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh, Oshkosh WI Jake White, Chair 10/14/10 Stevenson University, Owings Mills MD Megan Staudenmerick, Dir Live Ent 10/18/10 University of Kansas, Lawrence KS Jeni Burrows, Coordinator 10/20/10

Carthage College, Kenosha WI Nina Fleming, DSA 10/29/10

Kishwaukee College, Malta IL Allison Von Forde, Coord Student Actv 11/2/10 Eastern New Mexico University, Portales NM Brittany Chrisman, Ent Coordinator 11/4/10

Blackburn College, Carlinville IL Abbey Hardin, DSA 11/6/10

Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield IL Student Events Coordinator, 11/8/10 Marietta College, Marietta OH Sara Harp, Up Til Dawn Chair 11/12/10

Northland Tech & Community College, East Grand Forks MN Maureen O’Connell, Student Life Dir. 12/6/10

AGENCY COOPERATION

PROMO

ROAD CREW/ MGMT

COOPERATION/ATTITUDE

RELATIONSHIP TO AUDIENCE

ARTISTÕS ABILITY

ORIGINALITY

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BOX SCORES Dan was fantastic from advancing the show thru the end. His willingness to put in extra time for teasers was awesome.

Great show!

The event went over very well. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Fred has been here numerous years and his show is never the same.

Saw Winters at ACUI & it was great. Glad to see him interact with IIT students. Very Entertaining!

Dan had a great rapport with the audience. His energy was fantastic. Students who normally aren’t engaged said “Money well spent.”

Great event. We definitely want him back.

A joy to work with. He went above and beyond to make the performance a huge success. I highly recommend. A true rising star! Easy to work with, very responsible and easy going. Probably one of the best acts/agencies I have dealt with.

Awesome Show! Would love to have him back. All the students here loved him. Daniel was absolutely amazing. He was great to work with and totally audience oriented. I would recommend to EVERYONE!

On our evaluation people had nothing but wonderful things to say about Frederick. Everybody loved the show and want him back.

Frederick Winters puts on an amazing show! It is innovative, engaging and always keeps the audience laughing. Highly Recommend. The length & quality of the performance was incredible. Students loved it & can’t wait to have him back.

Great show, all good feedback. Liked how he got the crowd involved. Frederick was amazing. He did a fantastic job & the 260 students in attendance loved him.

Frederick was incredible to work with and provided an equally incredible performance. The audience was packed to capacity.

Frederick is the best hypnotist we’ve had. We keep bringing him back. It becomes a highly anticipated event!

There was a great response from students. Many shows we bring have low turnouts. This is something we definitely want to bring back!

100% of student feedback in evaluations was positive. 100% said they would like to see Frederick Winters again.

Excellent show! Frederick was incredibly friendly and easy to work with. The students had an awesome time!

Very professional, funny performance. The crowd was captured by the well thought-out and from then the performance did not disappoint.

Excellent Show!

38, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, February 2011

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DR. JIM WAND Wand Enterprises

Loyola University/ Chicago, Chicago IL Ellen Wehrman, Activities Coordinator 8/25/10 Des Moines Area Comm College, Boone IA Steve Krafcisin, Student Activities 9/1/10 Lewis University, Romeoville IL K Schumacher, DSA 10/2/10

University of Nebraska, Omaha NE Erin Cron, Assist Dir Student Actv. 10/6/10 Appalachian State University, Boone NC Aileen Alge, Chair Spec Events 10/9/10

Northeast WI Technical College, Green Bay WI Kaitlyn Fitzgerald, Student Life Aide Freed Hardeman University, Henderson TN Joe Askeen, Dir of Admissions 9/10/10

Moraine Valley Community College, Palos Hills IL Demetrius Robinson, Coord Student Life 10/27/10

Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge IA Anthony Acklin, Coordinator of Student Activities 11/2/10

Dr Wand is a staple in our Welcome Week. We over-filled our 700 person auditorium and hope to add a second show next year.

AGENCY COOPERATION

PROMO

ROAD CREW/ MGMT

COOPERATION/ATTITUDE

RELATIONSHIP TO AUDIENCE

ARTISTÕS ABILITY

ORIGINALITY

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BOX SCORES

One of our best events each year!

Jim is always a hit!

Great Show!

As always, Josh was a great addition to our program.

Great Show! Jim is so great and flexible. He HAS the audience for the entire performance. Very professional + high octane.

Jim is the best at what he does. He is always courteous, warm and professional. I won’t have any other hypnotists. He is top quality.

Jim is a pleasure to work with! He is always a sure draw for students and the show is educational and hilarious.

Dr Wand is always a great draw at FHU. He has a wonderfully interactive show and students love him. Very entertaining and energetic. Engaging with Participants.

JOSHUA SETH GP Entertainment

Pace University, Pleasantville NY Shawn Livingston, Assoc Dir 7/15/10 Cowley College, Arkansas City, KS Krish Shaw, DSA 8/19/10 University of Akron, Akron OH Chad Warrick, President 8/22/10

Penn State University, Abington PA Michael Reeves, Common Break Chair 8/25/10 Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany NY Elizabeth McGarry, Dir Campus Actv. 8/28/10

COMEDY

Joshua is amazing. He has a great crowd presence and really is a beautiful performer on and off the stage. Cowley College loves him! Great performance.

This is the 5th Year for Joshua during orientation and can’t wait to book him next year. He is flexible and the ultimate professional.

MIKE E. WINFIELD KP Comedy

UNC Pembroke, Pembroke NC Becca Fick, Asst Dir. 9/1/10

James Madison University, Harrisonburg VA Melissa Janocha, DSA 9/3/10

Christopher Newport University, Newport News VA Jerrica washington, Programming Assistant 9/4/10

MISSION IMPROVABLE Bass/Schuler Entertainment

Michigan State University, Lansing MI Erin Welsh, UAB 9/17/10 300+

Moraine Park Tech College, Beaver Dam WI Lisa Manuell, Student Life 9/23/10 McMurray College, Jacksonville IL Cori Wagner, CAB Advisor 9/25/10

www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com

Students had already heard several of his jokes on YouTube! Mike was a pleasure to work with and very well received by the audience!

They did an amazing job! Everyone really enjoyed the group. Hilarious fun, my smile still hurts. COME AGAIN!

From an advisor’s standpoint, these guys were great to work with. Very flexible with the crowd and fun to be around. Great Show!

February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 39

STORY BY CHANDLER COOK

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February 2011, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, 43

ith the understanding of Einstein's definition, that insanity is the repetition of the same process with the expectation of different results, it would seem that experimentation and change-over would be a good place to start for struggling boards. But when your campus sits in the middle of a city made famous by its white sand beaches and bustling night life, the competition for students attention is stiff to say the least. For the Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus, the stiff competition was met by an eager program board led by president is Tanha Dil. “Because we have a smaller campus, about 9,000 students, and it is a commuter school, it has proven difficult to get good attendance at our events.”

In previous years it has been the goal of the board to pull the majority of their budget towards a name act for one yearly event. But with diminishing attendance for such events over the years, Tanha along with the rest of the board and Director of Campus Life and Orientation, Craig Cunningham decided to make a change.

With a lot of planning and hard work, FIU Biscayne Bay’s Programming Council developed a much more diversified schedule of events for the 20102011 school year. They decided to stretch their budget and bring in a much greater quantity of acts. This has both given students more opportunities to experience on-campus entertainment and strengthened the overall participation by the student body.

council members will go into the lounges and student unions and talk with the students to inform them of what’s going on with campus life and events.

Located in the heart of Miami Florida, it’s not absurd to think that campus activities would take a backseat to the surrounding night life. Combine that with their incredibly diverse student body and the challenge becomes more difficult, but the creative minds behind FIU Biscayne Bay’s Programming Board have developed a few events that have exceeded all expectations. One such event was the “FIU Step Show.” This became so large that it had to be moved to an off-campus facility to accommodate the student crowd of over 800. The event was held at the Miami Beach Performing Arts Center. Craig adds, “It was the first time we sponsored an event off-campus and we were thrilled with the result.” The only outside talent booked for the event was a host, local comedian Dexter Angry, while the remainder of the show involved seven different step groups from local fraternity and sorority groups.

Another event that went well was the homecoming variety show. In years past, boards would typically book one name act to perform, but this year’s board felt three was better than one. With the combination of a comedy juggling group, a mentalist, and a magician it seemed there would be something for everyone.

“This worked out well. This was the first time we have ever done a variety show like this and it was a tremendous success. Students liked the diversity of the acts offered all in one night,” Craig says. Tanha adds, “It really goes to show you that you don’t need a big name to put on a great event. You can spend the budget more wisely and give students a greater variety of events to enjoy.”

Along with regular attendance to national APCA and NACA conferences, FIU Biscayne Bay campus has implemented their own local yearly showcase held on their campus. The South Florida Collegiate Programming Expo invited local performers from southern Florida including twenty-five entertainers and 15 different colleges and universities from the surrounding area. Craig states, “It was a chance not only for our own students but for the students of other local programs to see a variety of talent that is right in our own back yard.”

From marketing strategies, unique event design, a wide variety of talent and a young and eager Board, Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus’ programing council looks to have a long and bright future. For more info on FIU Biscayne Bay campus activities board contact Craig Cunningham, Director of Student Affairs, Campus Life and Orientation. 305-919-5950.

One of the single greatest hurdles a commuter campus can face in planning events is their marketing strategies. While using traditional methods such as flyers and posters can be very effective, FIU Biscayne Bay has implemented some new strategies. “We have gone to more viral campaigning as far as Facebook and Twitter. We have actually gone on to produce our own mini commercials to post to our various social media outlets.”

Tanha adds that there is no greater pull to events than word of mouth. Beyond that the board is even conducting “housing takeovers,” where their board and 44, CAMPUS ACTIVITIES MAGAZINE, February 2011

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