ComMonday, a Chicago rapper who recently performed at the A&O Ball, will again entertain audiences this Friday at FEST:04, DePaul University’s 19th annual FEST. The concert also will feature Tonic, Lucky Boys Confusion and the DePaul student band Paulina.
During the day DePaul’s free FESTival from noon to 6 p.m. will feature booths for student organizations, an inflatable climbing wall, a rat race and lots of food. The FESTival will also feature live music by small-stage bands including Quarters Only, 15 Minutes Late, Orchestra Ranura and Leroy Smokes.
“It’s a nice way to get the DePaul area together,” said FEST chairman, Ryan Tracy. “It’s spring and we get local businesses and restaurants to come, and students. It’s like a celebration for the end of the year.”
The festivities will be held at DePaul’s Lincoln Park Quadrangle. Though geared toward the DePaul community, the day-long festival and evening concert are open to the public.
“Because a lot of the funds for this are from the student activity fee, we try to make sure students are involved,” said Ann Geppert, the marketing director for DePaul. “But we definitely invite the public to come.”
Now in its third year, the daytime FESTival includes business vendors marketing their products in addition to student organizations hosting various activities at their booths.
“We give (groups) a venue to raise money or recruit members or sell tickets for upcoming events,” Geppert said. “It’s up to them, they might not even be raising money, they could just be getting their name out there.”
FEST patrons can also enjoy a dunk tank and basketball free throws — for a fee, of course. “The DePaul College Democrats are bringing out a donkey and you can take a picture with it,” Tracy said. “In the past you could ‘throw a pie at AOPi.'”
Those who still haven’t gotten their fill of the festivities after the concert this year will be able to attend the first annual FEST After-Hours, offering food and music. Because the event is in its first year, it will be limited to DePaul students and their guests.
“If (After-Hours) is really popular we can get a bigger venue next year,” Tracy said.
The concert venue, DePaul’s Lincoln Park Quadrangle at Belden & Seminary, will open at 5 p.m. and performances begin at 5:30 p.m.
FEST concert tickets are available at the DePaul Student Life Offices (Lincoln Park Campus Student Center, Room 201, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave. and DePaul Center Student Union, Suite 11027, 1 E. Jackson Blvd.). Tickets will also be sold at the venue the day of the event. For more information, contact the DePaul Activities Board at 773-325-7446 or visit www.depaul.edu/~dab.
