AKNU
8
Fresh from the X-Factor, AKNU is tight multi-level entertainment at a reasonable price for colleges.
Hot Music for 2015
12
SVET
26
Dan Henig
34
A complete collection of our 18 top choices from the bizarre to strong contemporary artists to exceptional tribute acts. Videos on our website.
If you have not seen this killer violinist, you have missed a real treat. An exceptional musician and eye-candy for the ladies. Over 6 million youtube hits and counting will simply give you a hint of what to expect from this singer/ songwriter.
THE BRAZILIAN 2WINS WOW AUDIENCES 20
If you are looking for a music act with audience appeal and non-stop action, look no more!
IT’S ALL INSIDE
From the Publisher Real Life AKNU Spanky
4 6 8 11
Hot Music for 2015 SVET Artist Reports Dan Henig
12 26 29 34
RANDOM THOUGHTS & OTHER MINDLESS DRIBBLE
Doing The Right Thing.
It has long been the mission of this magazine to explore not only all the relevant options for our 4,000 buyers at campuses all across the country, but to give you opportunities to deal with issues on your campus that will allow you to make informed decisions.
Now let’s be clear, there are some issues that are the right thing for all campuses and then there are issues that vary by location. We try not to get caught up in the politics of any situation, because ultimately it is your campus’ responsibility to make the right judgement call for your institution. I make a concerted issue to stay away from situa-
tions that would align our magazine toward one political party or another because I learned very early this is a personal decision and a line we should not cross. I have never asked my employees, contractors or our board members not to take an active stand regarding their beliefs but requested those beliefs not be attached to their relationship to our company or our magazine. We have covered issues and political figures in the past that were relevant at the time and were in the national spotlight, but have always maintained a neutral position in politics. Interviews with these political figures can often give the campus world an inside look at their beliefs and why they are who they
are and the experience behind those beliefs
For the most part, I feel that all artists would be better served staying away from taking sides in political battles because they can alienate fans that supported their music, comedy or careers. It just isn’t good business and what gives any artist the experience to take a stand on national or world affairsunless you happen to be a political analyst.
Candidates tend to try to obtain support from artists on issues because they have huge fan followings that can possibly effect the final vote in an election. But it can backfire too and ruin a blossoming career.
Campus Activities Magazine®
is a publication of the CAMEO PUBLISHING GROUP a SES Company It is distributed to every campus in the United States actively engaged in buying entertainment or activities. Our publication office is: 15420 Newberry Rd Blair SC 29015
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For information on content or to request advertising rates: (803) 917-5121 or (800) 728-2950 To change a recipient for your campus, please email us: biz@cameopublishing.com
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BY ELAINE PASQUA
A Commitment To Care
This past year and a half has been quite challenging for me personally. I grew up in the same hometown as my favorite aunt and uncle, who are also my godparents. Their only son is mentally ill with paranoid schizophrenia. Years ago I volunteered to become his legal guardian because I wanted them to die in peace knowing that he would be cared for. We make commitments, never realizing what might lie ahead. My cousin lives in a group home in NJ. On New Year’s Day of 2013 he went home to visit my aunt who is widowed. He found her on the floor. She appeared to be having a mini stroke and was taken to the hospital.
That day marked the beginning of six intense months of taking care of her affairs, as she was diagnosed with advanced dementia. We took care of her medical needs, sold her home, looked for an appropriate assisted living home, got her finances in order, met with attorneys, and set up trusts. This consumed so much of my time that it hurt my business and presented a huge distraction to my personal life. I still take care of her finances and taxes and visit her regularly.
This past May I received a call from a physician. My cousin was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. The last four months have been consuming once again with dealing with doctors and testing at the VA, communicating with his group home, social workers, and eventually taking him to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City where they surgically removed his esophagus. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be taking care of both of them at the same time. I now have two new kids!
I find it remarkable that many people have stated that my aunt and cousin are so lucky to have me. Shouldn't this be a commitment that we all make to one another? Family and friends
will fall on difficult times and we need to be there to help.
I admit that this has not been easy. There are days when I just want to take care of myself. I've had times when I am going on stage in five minutes and I receive a call with an urgent matter for one of them. It is stressful and distracting. Someday I will have that time back again, but there is a great satisfaction in knowing that I can give back to my aunt and uncle who have been like parents to me. My uncle died in 2006 and I often feel like he is looking down with great comfort.
In my travels to campuses I have met a number of students who have lost a parent and help care for their siblings, many who help a single parent, and others who are taking care of their parents who were diagnosed with cancer or AIDS. These remarkable young men and women have a level of wisdom and maturity that I do not see in other students. They do not have a sense of entitlement nor do they sweat the small stuff. They learned what is important. Through our challenges we learn our most valuable life lessons.
Others are missing the traditional relationships with their parents as the parents are sacrificing their time to take care of their elderly parents. People are living much longer, but sadly not all are gaining quality of life. This puts a strain on the whole family.
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I have also met students whose families have fallen on hard times with this recession. They too have had to step up to contribute to make ends meet. Incredible sacrifices have been made on their behalf. While others are partying, they are working to make ends meet, or to send money to their families. It's not always easy to care for someone, but here are some of the lessons that I have gained from my experience:
Be ready for surprises, you never know what will come along. • Flexibility is a must! • Don't be afraid to make calls and network with others to learn of valuable resources. • Ask for help! It is not always easy doing this alone. • Take a break once in a while; you need to nurture yourself so you will be a better caregiver. • Be selfless; there are times when we have to put other's needs in front of our own. • Don't expect something in return; karma will take care of you! • Giving is good, be satisfied knowing that you did the best that you could. • You will have difficult days, remain strong - so many valuable life lessons are to be learned. • Never take your good fortune for granted.
Questions on college life? Email me at elaine@elainepasqua.com www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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W
ith a highly polished look and sound, the three brothers that make up the group AKNU have made the very best of a hard background and are coming out on top. With a great online following and a great response from the judges on X-Factor (Simon Cowell even said he’d like to see their audition again), this band is becoming hot on the college circuit.
The brothers have been working on this in one way or another for most of their lives. “Since we were young, our father had us singing and dancing,” says Marquis Henry Scott. “A few years later, Rayne and I started working professionally in different groups throughout the LA area. As we got a little bit older, we found we couldn’t trust many of the members of the groups we were involved with so we stopped dealing with them. We realized Mark might be a good fit and the dynamic of brothers forming the band could be a good hook, so we gave him a shot. He came in and really started running circled around us (laughs).” We realized this was really going to work and we became an official group at that point.”
The name of this act is a unique one and probably one of the first things one might wonder about when dealing with this act. AKNU (pronounced “anew”) is an acronym that stands for A Kind Never Understood, a name the brothers are quite proud of. “The name is very special and significant gift to us. We were three young black males growing up in the conditions that we did in Southeast L.A. The statistics show that we were supposed to end up either dead, in jail, hooked on drugs or in a gang by now. For some reason, those conditions pulled something completely different out of us and made us driven to shine. We yearned to
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be better than our surrounding and what was happening to our peers. We just aspired to do more. Growing up performing and a part of the industry, we have seen the nicer more comfortable side or life as well as being exposed to the hard knocks. We’ve seen luxury and we’ve seen squalor and we’ve sort of had a foot in both camps. At the same time, we feel like we’ve never been completely accepted in either because of our association with both. In each setting, we were a kind never understood, so it seemed like a fitting name for our group.” Many groups look at television exposure or a record deal as their first “big break” but the members of AKNU all agree that finding each other in this project was their greatest break of all. “For me, the biggest
break officially is joining the group itself,” Mark says. “I took my audition very seriously, I didn’t take it for granted just because we were brothers. I had watched them work very hard all my life and I wanted to match their frequency and intensity of hard work and dedication and discipline. It was about 2008 when we started really getting together and on track and for me personally, that was the big break. I have never had more drive and dedication in anything I have ever done in my life.”
from people who wanted to bring us in to campus dates. Once we did our first one at Sacramento State, we realized how much we liked it. Seeing the energy and the reception those audiences have to our show is unlike any other audience we consistently see. Once we realized that there was an organized group of college buyers we were in. It is such a vibrant and fun market we really enjoy it and hope to build a solid reputation and schedule here. So far our showcases have gone well and we seem to really be gaining tracThe campus market is one that tion. We hope to see everyone AKNU is very excited to have found. reading this on their campus soon.” “We recently have been focused on some other directions, we perform For more information and availfor many non-profits and corporate able dates and rates on AKNU, gigs, trying to help some of the contact kate@sophiek.com or streets and help pay the bills. We call her at (877) 664-8559. began getting increasingly outreach
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Hey Ref....
tionship with the officials, more often than not it is a hate-hate relationship. If a call goes in favor of your team, then the refs were obviously just doing their job. But if a call goes against your team, the referees are obviously blind, stupid, paid off, or all of the above. Officials are the only people who can rob you and get a police escort out of the stadium. And who among us has not had your team robbed of a victory by a bad call, leaving you to stew in anger, feeling more violated than a colonoscopy? Ease your rage with humor and primal scream therapy by yelling any of the following funny lines at the men in the striped shirts. THE ZINGERS
Hey, Ref, your proctologist called...they just found your head.
By Steven Kent McFarlin (AKA Spanky)
As I slowly embrace the digital age, it is slowly embracing me back, with increasing opportunities to express my humor and creativity. The latest occasion being an offer to become a member of TeamZinger.com, a new website that combines two things I am passionate about: comedy and professional football. The team’s game plan is simple: You are in a sportsbar when a fan of your rival starts talking trash about your team. TeamZinger has your back. We give you the verbal ammunition to shoot him down with enough wit and humor to earn the admiration from all within earshot.
I should warn you however, TeamZinger.com is an “Equal Opportunity Offender.” The good news is we make fun of every team your favorite team plays. The bad news is since your team is not everyone’s favorite...we make fun of them too. In the words of our founder, Coach Curt Mudgeon, “If you can’t take a joke take a hike.”
I will not list any of the hundreds of TeamZinger.com’s insult jokes directed toward the professional teams since this publication targets the college market. Instead, I will share the many ridiculing remarks the Coach has compiled that are directed toward a group that also plays a factor in college football: the referees. True football fans don’t have a love-hate relawww.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
Hey Ref, 9 out of 10 voices in my head say "Don’t shoot." Hey, Ref, so when’s the Wizard getting back to you about that brain?
Hey, Ref, you’re a gross ignoramus, which is 144 times the normal ignoramus. Hey, Ref, you couldn’t count to 21 if you were barefoot and without pants.
Hey, Ref, you’re so dumb that blondes tell jokes about you.
Hey, Ref, I’ve gotten better calls from my exwife. Hey, Ref, take your shirt back to Foot Locker.
Hey, Ref, people like YOU are the reason that people like ME need medication! Hey, Ref, have they stopped printing the rule book in Braille? Hey, Ref, when your dog barks twice, it’s a holding penalty.
Hey, Ref, drop your pants, bend over, and use your good eye.
Hey, Ref, were your parents Mr. Magoo and Helen Keller?
Hey, Ref, Lenscrafters called, they’ll be ready in 30 minutes.
Hey, Ref, how about some Windex for that one glass eye?
Hey, Ref, I’m gonna break your cane and kick your dog. Hey, Ref, if you had one more eye, you’d be a Cyclops.
Hey, which one of you Refs is the designated driver?
Hey, Ref, how can you sleep with all these lights on?
Hey, Ref, if you’re gonna just watch the game, why don’t you buy a ticket like the rest of us? Hey, Ref, I thought only horses slept standing up. Hey, Ref, still waiting for that spine donor?
Hey, Ref, open your eyes, you’re missing a great game.
Hey, Ref, get off your knees. You’re blowing the game! If idiots were airplanes, the official’s dressing room would be an airport. Three Blind Mice...and occasionally a Zebra.
Dammit, Jim, I’m a doctor, not a professional referee! Zebra, zebra, Short and stout, Find your head and pull it out! We got a rope, We got a tree, All we need now is a referee! Give me an "I." Give me another "I." Now, give them to the Ref!
Steven Kent McFarlin (AKA “Spanky”) has been described by the press as a “campus entertainment icon.” He offers two great events at one great low price, and has been voted “Campus Comic of the Year” (LaffGuru.com) and the “Campus Performer of the Year” (TalkingAboutMyGeneration.com). His credits include over fifty TV appearances, including: Showtime, Good Morning America, and The Late Show. He is represented by GP Entertainment.
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AUSTIN MOODY:
Austin Moody is one of country music's true, down-to-earth country boys. Hailing from the hills of East Tennessee, Austin currently writes and records in Nashville. His live performances reflect an authentic, relatable artist who is clearly staying true to his humble roots. Austin believes his purpose in life is to make music, and he wants to share that music with all that will listen. For more on Austin and his music please visit: austinmoody.net. DEGY ENTERTAINMENT : JEFF HYMAN jeff@degy.com
EVERYONE DIES IN UTAH:
RHINO HOUSE BAND:
www.everyonediesinutah.com www.facebook.com/everyonediesinutahtx
rhinohouseband@gmail.com www.facebook.com/rhinohouseband www.rhinohouseband.bandcamp.com
Everyone Dies In Utah is a post hardcore band, formed in 2008. The name of the band began as a joke, but stuck with them as time went on. The band has had their videos featured on MTV and FUSE. The band knows that it is very important to be accessible to their fans and do not plan on getting off the road any time soon.
NICHOLAS MISHKO 10 and 8 Artist Management Agency Nmishko@10and8management.com
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Rhino House Band is an indie rock trio that formed in early 2013. They began by compelling crowds in the town and campus of SUNY New Paltz with songs of insecurity and self-discovery. They then released their “Golden Summer EP, and later played around the US on numerous tours.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Cutting Edge Entertainment
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DAMEIN ESCOBAR:
PRESTON LEATHERMAN:
Damien proves there’s a payoff for passion and dedication. Dominating stages with unforgettable performances, the Emmy winner is defining his influence in music and culture.
BE COLLEGES: (877) 404-3836 X 212 info@be-college.com
From humble beginnings—playing in NYC subway stations; to being elevated to higher platforms including the Katie Couric Show, Oprah’sBest Life Tour, and more.
DEGY ENTERTAINMENT : JEFF HYMAN jeff@degy.com
Preston is a fun, high-energy, performer from Nashville. He was recently selected to do a handful of NACA’s. MTV probably described him best when they said “If Jason Mraz had a child with Maroon 5 and Michael Jackson was the Godfather…he would be Preston Leatherman.”
GIMME ABBEY:
Imagine, it's 1969. The two greatest rock and roll bands of all time, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, have never performed on the same stage, together. GIMME ABBEY makes that dream come true. Two of the best tribute shows in the country, The Return and Satisfaction, have come together for a live production that will take everyone back to the greatest time in rock and roll history. Complete with a multi-media extravaganza to compliment the live performances, GIMME ABBEY is an experience no one will soon forget. GROUP H ENTERTAINMENT Mark Hellman (843) 235-3040 groupH @ aol.com
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO SHOWCASE LINKS FOR EACH ARTIST ON OUR WEBSITE AT: campusactivitiesmagazine.com www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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JESSE MACHT:
Interlaced in Jesse Macht’s melodies are stories overflowing with passion, vulnerability and empathy. This fall, the Los Angeles born and raised singer/songwriter released his sophomore album, Suitcase Heart, produced by Justin Tockett (Marc Broussard, Eli Teplin), and recorded at Dockside Studios in Lafayette, LA and Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground Studios in Nashville. DEGY ENTERTAINMENT : JEFF HYMAN jeff@degy.com
DNK:
Every once in a while, an artist comes along with the ability to move fans out of their seats while creating a visceral experience. Artists of this quality come from undeniable talent and radical authenticity; this is the heartbeat of dnk. dnk. is a Nashville based pop/rap group featuring members Kayla Erb and David Davis. At a young age, it was obvious that Kayla and David were destined to perform. Over the course of two decades, David and Kayla channeled their musical aspirations, which led to their meeting in the music department at Belmont University. It was here that they were discovered.
JESSICA CAMPBELL:
Jessica Campbell is making a name for herself. Her songs have been on ABC's "Ugly Betty", CW's "Hart of Dixie", and shows on VH-1, and CMT. Jessica records, tours, and also writes songs for a small publishing company, owned by acclaimed artist Michael W. Smith. THE COLLEGE AGENCY thecollegeagency.com
BASS/SCHULER: Chris Schuler 773-481-2600 bass-schuler.com
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BROADCAST HEARTS:
Broadcast Hearts is a three-piece, pop-rock band from Trumbull, Connecticut. Formed in 2009, the group comprises Avery Bazan (lead vocals, piano/synth), Ted Ferik (drums), and Justin Molfese (backing vocals, bass guitar).! The keys-based group engages a dynamic sound and style, drawing influence from acts such as Coldplay, Mumford and Sons, and OneRepublic. Contrasted by leading pianoand synths, the band presents a wide range of music from anthems to ballads.
WALLY’S WORLD / W2 ENTERTAINMENT 800-476-0442 • www.houseofwally.com
CLAIR REILLY ROE
The melodies are sweet and singable and the lyrics are pages falling out of a tattered, well traveled diary. Clair writes story songs, funny songs, love songs- songs about changing and letting go, about beginnings, endings, the triumph & tribulations of ove. As the daughter of music and peace-loving hippies, Clair grew up in Canada and spent her youth as a pro snowboarder before moving to the big apple to make it big. Her english father taught her the majesty of melody through his classical music obsession while her Trinidadianlife- coach mother influenced her to create her own future and always listen to Carol King.
FIVE TIMES AUGUST:
Five Times August (solo acoustic pop/rock) has performed at more than 250 college campuses. Music has been featured over 90 times in TV, film, and commercial, including popular programs on MTV, HBO, and The CW. Press includes featured in People Magazine, Billboard, and iTunes New & Noteworthy. Find them at fivetimesaugusust.com DEGY ENTERTAINMENT : JEFF HYMAN jeff@degy.com ARI NISMAN ari@degy.com
NEAL ZAMIL (917) 734-3879 nzamil@gmail.com
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO SHOWCASE LINKS FOR EACH ARTIST ON OUR WEBSITE AT: campusactivitiesmagazine.com www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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DAVID STEWART, JR:
They are a rock trio from the Berklee College of Music that has been gaining a lot of attention from huge names such as Red Bull Studios, South by Southwest, and Josh Groban on HBO’s show Masterclass. They are currently working on their first album and have already launched a pair of singles, “Neon Love” and “Cells Divide”. BE COLLEGES: (877) 404-3836 X 212 info@be-college.com
SOFT WHITE SIXTIES:
The Soft White Sixties. The words summon up images of a simmering incandescent radiance, the kind of brilliant glowing light that bathes everything it touches with a genuine heartfelt passion. It’s a perfect band name to describe the swaggering, propulsive sounds of the San Francisco quartet that chose it to describe their music. The words may have a nostalgic, psychedelic aura and while those elements are certainly present in the music, the band transcends any specific era and style. Their music will jolt you out of your seat and get you singing along with its feel good energy and explosive rhythmic drive. APA; Agency for the Performing Arts 310-888-4200 • 212-205-4320 • 615-297-0100 apa-agency.com
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TWO WORLDS:
Two Worlds is a pop music duo consisting of 19 year old vocalists Nick Voelker and Adiel Mitchell. With their fun concepts and catchy hooks, Two Worlds infuses their background of acoustic R&B with the energetic pop that they love to perform. Along with their originals, Two Worlds has released many innovation covers on their Youtube channel. With over 1 million views, their channel continues to grow as they move forward spreading their care-free nature through their young, but dense music. They recently were selected to perform as finalists on VH1's "Make A Band Famous", and their version of Pharrell's "Happy" cracked the Top 20 on the iTunes Singer/Songwriter chart. DEVELOPING ARTISTS MGMT: Shawn Radley 617-497-8366 shawn@developingartist.com
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MAGGIE SZABO
As a Canadian pop powerhouse that has won audiences over worldwide with over 13 million views on YouTube and Vevo, it’s of no surprise that Maggie Szabo went from a small town girl from Ontario to an artist in her own right crafting a sound all her own in L.A. Maggie began honing her singing and writing craft at a young age by performing and exploring as many opportunities as she could. Immediately after graduating from high school, she then decided to pack her car and drive to Nashville to further explore her songwriting capabilities. Inspired by her surroundings and experiences she strengthened her songwriting craft and performing skills and was offered a record deal. TRUE TALENT INFO@ALLABOUTMAGGIE.COM
BRIAR RABBIT:
Growing up under the watchful eye of his uncle, B.B. King, it seems only fitting that singer/songwriter, Briar Rabbit has grown up to become quite the gentleman, and one that is musically inclined. From the Midwest all the way to the Middle East, Briar Rabbit has enamored crowds with his romantic melodies and colorfully layered narrative through honest lyricism. Briar Rabbit has received praise from The Huffington Post, Performer Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, American Songwriter and even earned an International Songwriting award. His thoughtful pop songs melt your heart while making you think. BASS/SCHULER: Chris Schuler 773-481-2600 bass-schuler.com
THE MADISON LETTER:
Over the past 4 1/2 years The Madison Letter has independently recorded and released two EP’s, in which they’ve traveled to 30 states across the US and opened for such prestigious acts as The Script, Owl City, Secondhand Serenade, and Alex Goot. In February 2013 they were featured on MTV as one of the top 4 nominees in the country for MTV’s first ever College Artist Woodie Award and was also a part of Chevy Music Showcase, a TV series highlighting the top bands in four major Midwest cities. DEGY ENTERTAINMENT : JEFF HYMAN jeff@degy.com ARI NISMAN ari@degy.com
CHECK OUT THE VIDEO SHOWCASE LINKS FOR EACH ARTIST ON OUR WEBSITE AT: campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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Every so often, there are those acts that pop up out of nowhere and take the campus market by storm. Blowing up every one of their many showcase selections, this is an act that will have a full schedule of college shows for some time to come. Brazilian 2Wins are an exciting new blend of traditional classical music techniques and the hottest contemporary sounds. 20, CAMpUS ACTIvITIES MAGAzINEŽ, MUSIC ISSUE 2014
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Photos: Š Association of Entertainment Professionals (AEP) and Mobius New Media
The act has received wide acclaim for their high energy and one of their biggest assets is their ability to appeal to nearly any type of audience. Along with being universal in genre for students who like everything from bluegrass to hip hop, are conservative to progressive, trade student or PhD, this act has played for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. They are recently coming off of a coveted showcase for the Association Of Entertainment www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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Professionals, where they were well received by buyers for the performing arts, casinos, corporations, special events, theme parks, military, fairs and festivals and more.
Aside from being very close to the same age as the students in the college market and having their same tastes in popular music, which they cover well and uniquely, the Brazilian 2Wins are perfectly suited to the campus market because they essentially started their professional careers in it. But that's getting the rickshaw a bit ahead of the runner, so let's back up just a it.
The act came from a unique and challenging background. As their name suggests, the group started around Walter and Wagner Caldes, the twins. Originally from Rio de Janeiro, the twins studied classical music as children but didn’t realize the potential enjoyment and prosperity they would attain with the infusion of pop music. The group definitely has humble beginnings and its creation can be credited to quite a bit of happenstance as well. “Everything started when we were 11,” Walter says. “Our father was a violin maker, but he cannot play. So, he used us as his guinea pigs (laughs). Back then when we started it was horrible, ugh. We came from a very poor place and violin was just not common there. It was difficult to find the training and other people to play with. Also, we were having to play nothing but classical music, which we did not enjoy. Also consider we were in an environment in a poor part of Brazil, a le-
gitimate slum, where classical music was not followed or welcome. After three or four years of playing we started to enjoy it more soon after we found out we could play pop songs as well, music we enjoyed much more.”
Once the realization struck home that the 2Wins could play songs they enjoyed on the violin, their passion for the instrument was ig-
nited. “The pleasure in music was back for us once we realized we could play things we enjoyed listening to like pop sons and other things we heard on the radio. No one had ever told us this was possible before. You can play any music with the violin, not just classical. We found that out on our own.” Once they started playing contemporary music, they started gaining
More Than Simply Music, These Guys Are A Force To Be R AEP WOR
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had interviewed us. Someone in Iowa heard the interview and invited us to the event. The deal was for us to be flown from Brazil to the United Stated to play one song. “The show was amazing and everyone liked what they saw. The President of the University of Northern Iowa was there so we got invited on a scholarship to the to study music.” That was 8 years ago.” I comment that they are speaking better English than this writer would be speaking Portuguese in seven years and Wagner’s comment is “Well, we are pretty amazing (laughs).”
fans. “As soon as we started playing things on the violin that our friends knew, we started to actually have people that wanted to hear us play (laughs). That was a very exciting feeling. The two first came to the United States to play a show in Des Moines, Iowa, and didn’t speak a word of English at the time. They had been invited to play an show
for the World Food Prize event in Des Moines, an international award that recognizes the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world. “It is a Nobel prize they give for agriculture and they heard of us on NPR radio. They had done a special about people making music in the ghetto and
It wasn’t as if they just got to stay, however, it took them well over a year to get back to the U.S. after returning to Brazil. “It took 18 months to get the papers together after we got the scholarship to actually make the move.” Once the reality of the situation sunk in, it was a tough wait. “It took forever for us to believe that it was actually happening. After the President of UNI invited us to come, we were like ‘yeah sure okay’ but I don’t think we really believed that things were going to change for us that much. Once things started to come together we were very excited, but it took us a long time to accept that it was actually happening. It was only about a month out when we finally told our mom we were going to the U.S. to go to college and of course she freaked out. So we came, to study music.” The 2Wins describe a bitter sweet sort of feeling, to have the amazing opportunity to come to the United States and live the
Reckoned With... Talented, Charismatic and Approachable. RLDWIDE www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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dream of doing what they loved yet having to leave their home, family and friends in order to do so. “It’s very true, we were so excited to come here to the United States and live this experience. I don’t remember having any bad vibes about leaving my couch,” he says laughing. “We were just so excited,” he says again. “We even forgot we didn’t even speak English. Once we came to the college and were told this is where we would live, we were a little shocked. But it was all good. We loved it. Sure we left our homes and lives in Brazil, but it was a small trade for the amazing opportunity and life we can live here in the U.S.” Between learning English and studying and playing music, these were a set of hard- working brothers. They haven’t slacked off any since then. “When we first got here, we quickly began playing more and more gigs. We were still playing classical music then, but we would spice up the arrangements and have a lot of fun performing, so more and more people would ask us to play.” Even before their shift into the crowd pleasing contemporary music genre, the 2Wins had a special sort of attraction to audiences. “I think the reason that we were invited to play in the U.S. and come to UNI in the first place is because of the way we treat our instruments. Although we were playing classical music, what they saw in Des Moines is that is was not a formal version of classical music. We were having fun, laughing, jumping around, doing violin tricks and just generally being crazy (laughs). That caught the presidents attention. When we got to UNI, we were kind of standing out. The college itself got us a lot of gigs and we were representing the university in
many different events.”
By the sheer demand, we started to think this could maybe be a career. That’s when we came up with the idea of the band and tailoring a show around the contemporary music,” Walter says. “We noticed things really started taking off. We decided ‘Why don’t we make it bigger? Let’s make a band.’ So we did.”
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The live performance took on an entirely new level of depth. “Wagner and I were just playing ukulele and violin, and it was pretty cool. We got to play dinners and other small events, but once the band was together the bigs got a lot bigger and all of a sudden we have people actually paying to watch us. We had really layered our performance now. We had rhythm with drums and bass and
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and while we were on a tour back in Brazil and they found them. As soon as we posted on our Facebook page that we were coming back to the United States they got in touch with us. It was not even one minute after the post (laughs). Once we found out who they were and what they do we were very interested in being represented by them. They introduced us to this new college world of campus activities and that is exactly what we wanted to be all about. We like having fun, we like making people happy. We love laughing, we love life and everything about it. So do college students. We love playing for these audiences because they are so energetic and open and joyful, just like us.”
started adding vocal harmonies. My first performance with the full band was when I realized what I really wanted to do. I got goosebumps all over my body. It was such a great experience. From then on we have been the Brazilian 2Wins band.”
The campus market proper was an inevitable place for this group to end up. It was a perfect storm of them being in the right place (on
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campus studying music), in a genre of entertainment that is working very well across the country (urban instrumentals), in a format that college students eat up (contemporary). “We had a couple of videos of our shows online and Houla, our college agent, found some of them,” Wagner says. “We just like to have fun and enjoy life and play music and we were just posting about this
The 2Wins also appreciate that they are in charge of their own stage during their show. They are not expected to meekly walk on, play a song and leave. They are able to spread their own joy through music and message. “We try to enjoy that moment and speak to students, to leave a message, to try to tell them everything is possible and they should chase their dreams. That is exactly what we are doing here and we are so happy. We believed in something that we don’t know may come true, but we go for it. We hope we can help college students do this too, and make sure they have a great time while we are doing it.”
For more information on Brazil an 2Wins, contact Houla Entertainment at leemayer@houlaentertainment.com or 865-385-5514.
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With credits like playing NBA half time shows, sharing the stage with CeeLo Green, Phillip Phillips and Fabalous, the BET Awards with Chris Brown and being featured on “America’s Got Talent,” Svet is one hot commodity for the campus market. Finding a home here performing for college students, Svet has come a long way from his native Bulgaria and purely classical music. One can now expect to find beats, vocals, dancing and extreme instrumentals on the violin in his show.
Still in his 20’s, Svet still fits in nicely with the college demographic. Born and raised for the first part of his life in Bulgaria, he began lessons on the violin at a very young age. “I have been playing violin and piano when I was three years old,” he says. He had held his first concert performance by the time he was seven. “I was classically trained, then I cam to The United States in when I was 11 in 1998, I was introduced to Hip Hop for the first time. I fell in love.” From there Svet started writing his own music and experimenting with making his own beat sand started combining the violin with them. He had a scholarship at a prestigious music school as a kid but surprisingly went a different way when it came to his college major. His musical roots started with his mother, but by the time he was planning a career he was thinking more in business terms. “My mom took me to my first lesson and was the one who really pushed me. I remember practicing four or five hours a day to get good. Professionally though, I never really knew I wanted to pursue this until college. I went to school for something totally different, graduating from the University of Rochester with a degree in economics and marketing. It was totally different from music, but while I was pursuing my degree I was doing shows.” It wasn’t exactly an easy routine but Svet went for it because he was passionate and he wanted it. “I remember taking the bus to New York City at around 7PM, getting in a midnight, perform at a club, take the bus back while studying for my exam and then take the exam the next day without sleeping. That was the type of person that I was and am. I knew I wanted to have my degree in place and to get my education, but I also wanted to get my foot in the door in the music world as well. Doing both really opened my eyes and propelled me into my career.” There is a pigeonholed career path for musicians playing “classical” instruments, which generally end up in either playing in a large-scale orchestra or teaching music themselves. What path does a young man with classical training and instrumentation but a passion for contemporary music take when so few have helped to blaze the trail before him? “I started getting interested in making beats around age 16 while I was in
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high school. My level of producing was already high just because of my classical background and fundamental understanding of music composition. The beats I was producing were being compared to major artists. That’s when I understood that I could make something very unique and cool with the violin and my own unique influences. Everyone looks at violin as a very proper, formal instrument that is almost forbidden to be used in too casual a setting. What I wanted to do was bring the cool and the sexiness out in the violin and as a writer, rapper and singer I thought I could use the skills that I attained over the years to put together a really cool show.”
Once the formula was set in place, the show took off like a rocket. I found it so incredibly easy to market,” he says. “The show literally sells itself. The only issue I have ever had is explaining to people exactly what it is. Once they hear and see it, they automatically fall in love. That is cool, especially nowadays with artists such as Lindsey Stirling taking violin to the next level in the mainstream. She has charted number one on Billboard. To me that says a lot about where our particular brand of entertainment is going. I want to help bring that out and expose as many people as possible to it. I don’t know how many other rapper/singer/producer/violinists there are out there, but I feel I have done well carving myself a niche.”
are living. I really fell in love with the college market when I realized it makes me remember when I was in college and how much fun I had, specifically how much fun I had going to concerts with my friends. When I was first introduced to NACA, it really intrigued me because I had never understood the formal college market as a thing before. I understood artists doing college dates here and there, but I didn't understand how extensive the network or buyers was.”
Finding that market was a boon for Svet. “It was what I always wanted to do. I always wanted to perform for colleges and students. I was first introduced into NACA in 2012 and was one of the only artists ever to be selected to perform at every regional and the national showcase in a single school year. That was amazing. Because of that I was able to land a 70 citry tour and it was great. It was really cool to be exposed to so many different regions and truly be-
come a national artist. I had performed at quite a few campuses in the Northeast, but now I am playing South, West, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-America, everywhere. It has been really cool to go to so many campuses across the country and play for so many students.” A solo performer can earn a good living with a busy schedule on the campus circuit, but Svet says this was the last consideration for him. “It really wasn’t about the money for me,” he says, “sure, I am not mad about it (laughs), it is really about the type of crowds I get to play for. These were students that just wanted to have fun, hear something different and party. Those are the people that I want to appeal to and so far, it’s been working.”
For more information on bringing Svet to your campus, contact Ian Savage at BE Colleges at (877) 404-3836 x212 or ian@be-colleges.com.
Svet understands that all but the most appreciative of musical connoisseur audiences will get bored with a nonstop full set of nothing but a solo violin, that’s why he strives so hard to add entertainment and production value to his live performance. “Music is the universal language that all people speak. It’s certainly true that the attention span in this country is a little shorter than some other places. I have played quite a few international dates and if I were to play in Europe, for example, I would play longer sets that were a little more classically and instrumentally leaning. There, people are used to hearing that sort of music. Here, people are used to always hearing something new and different which is why we as artists have to keep moving forward and innovating to keep people attentive. That’s why I brought singing and rapping into a violin show, with the addition of producing on a live mixing machine during each performance as well.”
Svet loops and builds song right in the theater with the audience on the spot. It’s one trick he has, among many, that make him very appealing to the college market. Just as appealing as the campus market is to him. “First, I was a college student, so I understand them and their world and the life they 28, CAMpUS ACTIvITIES MAGAzINE®, MUSIC ISSUE 2014
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2014 GUIDE TO AMERICA’S BEST ARTIST RATINGS THE RATING SYSTEM: 5= EXCELLENT 4= vERY GOOD 3= AvERAGE 2= FAIR 1= pOOR
HERE IS A COMpREHENSIvE GUIDE TO ALL ARTIST REpORTS SUBMITTED BETwEEN SEpT 16, 2014 AND OCT 8, 2014. ONGOING REpORTS wILL BE pUBLISHED IN SUBSEqUENT ISSUES . ALL REPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON OUR WEBSITE AT:.campusactivitiesmagazine.com/arc/ WE NO LONGER TAKE PAPER BALLOTS BY FAX OR MAIL. THERE IS A DIRECT LINK TO THE REPORT FORM ON THE HOME PAGE.
HERE ARE THE CATEGORIES FOR THE RATINGS FOUND AFTER THE BUYER’S NAME AND PLAY DATE: (1) ORIGINALITY; (2) ARTIST’S ABILITY; (3) RELATIONSHIp TO THE AUDIENCE; (4) COOpERATION / ATTITUDE; (5) ROAD CREw / MANAGEMENT; (6) AGENCY COOpERATION; (7) pROMOTIONAL MATERIALS pROvIDED. Campus Reports listed in RED indicate the buyer reported a perfect score in all categories that applied to their campus performance for that artist or event. ATTENDANCE (when Available) AND THE LOCATION ON CAMpUS wILL FOLLOw THE pERFORMANCE DATE.
COMEDY
ADAM GRABOWSKI Adam Grabowski
Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID 08/25/14 263 Amphitheater 5555555 Performed with Chris Jones and those two were so good together. Made our crowd go wild, I would definitely have him back. Andrew Burgess, Warrior Entertainment Board ADAM MAMAWALA Sophie K. Entertainment
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA 09/27/14 40+ The Red Door 5555-44 Lexi Vecchio, PA of Student Activities ARVIN MITCHELL Summit Comedy, Inc.
Bryant University, Smithfield, RI 09/06/14 50 Janikies Auditorium 5555555 Great comedian! No problems at all! Would definitely work with t he company again! Katlyn Twomey, Student Programming Board Theme Weekends Cochair Penn State Brandywine, Media, PA 09/11/14 50 Student Lounge 5555-5Amy Dealy, Programming Coordinator Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 09/12/14 60+ The Stein 555555Darryl David, Operation Specialist
BARRY ROTHBART Kirkland Productions
University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 08/23/14 200+ Warwick Ballroom 5555-55 Sorry to just now be getting you the feedback. Barry was very well received by the students in the audience and everyone really enjoyed the show! Samantha Sepulski, Graduate Assistant for The Association for Campus Entertainment BRIAN MOOTE Summit Comedy, Inc.
Framingham State University, Framingham, MA 09/27/14 300 Theatre 5555-55 Brian was easy to work with and was a great opener. We will definitely bring him back to campus for his full show! Rachel Lucking, Director, Student Involvement C.J. JOHNSON Everything But The Mime
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 08/22/14 1300+ Ballroom 5555555 CJ always puts on a fantastic show for our Week of Welcome and our attendance is always great. While the show is geared towards incoming first year students, there are always upperclassmen who get excited about the show. Rich Scibetti, Coordinator CHLOE HILLIARD Summit Comedy, Inc.
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Shippensburg, PA 08/29/14 45 Ceddia Union Building Red Zone
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555555I always enjoy working with Chuck and Melissa from Summit Comedy, so I was happy to have booked Chloe through them! Chloe was a great performer and she brought an opener with her which really added to the show! Elizabeth Purswani, Assistant Director for Campus Activities & Programming
Goucher College, Baltimore, MD 08/30/14 100 Coffeehouse 4555-4Chloe was hilarious, and our students loved her! Christine Krieger, Associate Director of Student Engagement
University of Minnesota-Rochester, Rochester, MN 09/05/14 110 Mayo Civic Center 5555-5The students were engaged for the whole show and talked about the performance for weeks after. She was really able to connect with them on several levels and the students had only great things to say following the event. Dauline Menze, Student Activities Coordinator
St Olaf College, Northfield, MN 09/06/14 300+ Lion's Pause 5555--We LOVED Chloe! We are still hearing great comments about her performance. The student body thoroughly enjoyed the show and she was very well received! She had people laughing so hard they were in tears! She absolutely killed it! Brandon Cash, Student Activities Committee Drew University, Madison, NJ 09/18/14 30 Drew University The Space 3422-5When not on the stage Chloe had some type of attitude presented. She really was not that friendly when you were just having a conversation with her. In addition, as
soon as she stepped off the stage she left the venue. At Drew our students like to meet the performer after and get pictures and what not, but that was not able to happen with her as she just up and left. Other than that, when she was on stage and performing she was very funny and engaging with the crowd. Michael Pellessier, UPB President Maryville University of Saint Louis, Saint Louis, MO 09/20/14 141 Student Commons 5554-4Chloe's show was absolutely fantastic. She was great with the audience and the audience loved her! She was the first Comedian of the semester and kicked the year off well! We would definitely love to have her come back to campus in the future! Chad Mancuso, Comedy Chair on Campus Activities Board ERIC O'SHEA Summit Comedy, Inc.
Framingham State University, Framingham, MA 09/27/14 300 Theatre 5555-55 Eric, as always, was professional and nice. He connected with the parents in the audience and delivered an amazing show. Melissa was super easy to work with - and assisted when we needed a last minute opener. Definitely working with Summit and Eric again. Rachel Lucking, Director, Student Involvement FRANCISCO RAMOS Summit Comedy, Inc.
Arcadia University, Glenside, PA 09/26/14 100 Commons Great Room 4445-5Francisco performed a great comedy show. The students thought he was very funny. Trever Fike, Commons Coordinator
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FRANGELA Sophie K. Entertainment
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 08/20/14 150+ Roland Hayes Auditorium 555555Great show for a welcome back crowd! Highly recommend! Austin Arias, Assistant Dean of Students
University of Georgia, Athens, GA 08/21/14 298 Tate Grand Hall 555555Artists were supposed to show up 45 minutes prior to show beginning. Instead, they only showed up 15 minutes prior to show. Other than that, show was fantastic, and students really enjoyed it. Artists even stayed after to take photos with attendees. Taylor Cain, Senior Coordinator for Student Activities
Trinity University, San Antonio, TX 08/28/14 300+ Laurie Auditorium 4555-5Fantastic, fantastic show. Francis and Angela were amazing to work with. We had a phenomenal experience. Becka Bovio, Coordinator for Student Programs Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY 09/09/14 40 Little Theater 555555Artists stayed after performance to take photos and sign autographs. Material was very relevant for college students. Amanda K. Cataldo, Assistant Director of Student Activities North Central College, Naperville, IL 09/13/14 275+ Pfeiffer Hall 4445-43 Mikayla Woodward, CUAB Programming Chair JESSI CAMPBELL Summit Comedy, Inc.
Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA 09/18/14 15 Pickford Auditorium 5555-5Jessi was fantastic and Melissa Beer's help in booking her, invaluable! Stephanie Wong, Comedy Night Sheridan College, Sheridan, WY 09/24/14 60 Thorne-Rider Campus Center 5545-5It was wonderful to have Jessi as our first Comedian for our Hump Day Ha's series. There was constant laughter by all who attended. She was well liked by the students. Elizabeth DeGrandpre, Coordinator of Campus Life JUSTIN BERKMAN Summit Comedy, Inc.
Alma College, Alma, MI 08/30/14 100 Presbyterian Hall 4455-45 Danielle Brandreth, Greek Life Advisor
KEY & PEELE Sophie K. Entertainment
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 08/19/14 500+ Allan Theatre 5555-55 They were amazing and super friendly. It was a pleasure to work with them. Jameson Nogowski, Graduate Assistant LARRY OMAHA Artists West Entertainment
Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 10/04/14 100 The Attic 4455-54 Larry was a great guy to work with and was a great act. We had a good turnout and a good response. Great show all around. Noah Koester, Late Night Coordinator MATTHEW BROUSSARD Kirkland Productions
Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 09/12/14 230 Allison Church 5555-55 Sarah Rose, MOB Chair
Texas State University-San Marcos, San Marcos, TX 09/17/14 40+ George's LBJSC 4445455 Shannon Hetland, Event Corrdinator Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 09/19/14 70+ Ballroom A 4455-5Madi Northrup, FAC MICHAEL HARRISON Summit Comedy, Inc.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA 09/03/14 50+ Venable Theater 545544Michael Harrison did an awesome job at MCLA! He related to the audience very well and had everyone laughing up a storm. The connection was so good he did extra time. My peers loved him. He also brought a friend who performed as an opener and that was really exciting. I don't think my first show could have gone better. Kyla Graves, Comedy Stop Chair NORMAN NG NMP Talent
Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA 09/16/14 70 Student Union Theater 5555-44 Amazing performance! Great to work with! Nateya Hamilton, CAB Live Officer SAMMY OBEID KP Comedy
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 09/17/14 100+ Grand River Room 5555-54 We could not have anticipated a better show. Sammy did an INCREDIBLE job interacting with the audience, and we received great feedback from the
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students that attended. Overall, the show was HILARIOUS and truly original! Sam Lampe, Campus Programming Graduate Assistant
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI 09/17/14 250 5555555 Nathan Bentley, Comedy Chair
Culver-Stockton College, Canton, MO 09/26/14 92 The LAB 5555555 Sammy Obeid and his performance for the C-SC students was a great program. Hilarious! Sammy was intelligently funny and he helped draw one of the largest crowds for a comedian in recent years. Bill Boxdorfer, Director of Student Activities & Intramurals THE MUSLIMS ARE COMING! Kirkland Productions
Weber State University, Ogden, UT 09/10/14 20 Wildcat Theater 5555-31 India Nielsen, American Democracy Project Director
Denison University, Granville, OH 09/24/14 70 Herrick Hall 4353554 The performer of The Muslims are Coming, Aron Kader, was extremely engaged with the audience and a hilarious performer. He was warm, funny, and welcomed students to speak with him after the event. We do agree however, that the performer was unorganized and did not adequately plan specifically what he was going to talk about during the event. We made up for this with his wonderful stand-up, but as the event was for a lecture, we hoped he would have talked more about the serious issues that the documentary demonstrated. Overall it was a successful event, but we would surely recommend more organization for future events. Trishna Desai, Director of Lectures VLADIMIR CAAMANO Sophie K. Entertainment
New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ 09/04/14 50+ Lobby Outcove 5555-5Vladimir was excellent with connecting to his audience. NJCU has an interesting set-up due to it being a majority commuter school and he breezed through his performance. He was also very friendly, and personable. I have worked with SophieK for a very long time and Kate is an amazing agent and is incredibly easy to work with! Scott A. Siegel, SGO Advisor Pennsylvania State University-Abington, Abington, PA 09/15/14 150 Lares 108/09 4455554 Penn State Abington LEAP, Chair Member University of New Haven, West Haven, CT 09/25/14 40 UNH-Alumni Lounge
5435-55 Very cooperative and entertaining performer. Interactive and approachable as a person. Alex Joseph & Lamar Leonard, SCOPE Comedy &Lecture Committee Heads University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 09/26/14 70 Grand Ballroom Reitz Union 5555-55 Yolanda Gonzalez, Co-Director
Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA 10/03/14 100+ Student Life Center 4445555 Vladimir Caamaño was incredibly funny, he played off the audience really well. We had a heckler in the audience and he was able to handle them with professionalism and a great sense of humor! Matthew Jones, Student Event Planner
MUSIC
AUSTIN RENFROE The Barry Agency
Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID 09/10/14 102 WCC (Conference Room) 5555555 It started out really well. Austin really knew how to read the audience and work with them. He made the vibe feel really good mixing his own music and covers. I would definitely bring him back. Andrew Burgess, Warrior Entertainment Board RAYVON OWEN Diversity Talent Agency
University of Akron Main Campus, Akron, OH 09/23/14 300+ Starbucks of Student Union Building 5555555 Rayvon had students on their feet clapping and singing along with him. Lots of energy and student interaction made for a great night for both Rayvon and those who attended. I rocked the house! If you're looking for talented singers for a coffeehousetype event, Rayvon is the guy to get. Robbie Williford, Grad Assistant for RHPB
VARIETY
AUDIOBODY Fresh Variety
Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 09/12/14 100+ Forum Hall, K-State Student Union 4555-45 This amazingly talented duo was totally professional, self-sufficient in setting their stage, and personable with the crowd! They stuck around after the show to talk about how they used technology in developing their
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act. Our students loved Audiobody! John Buckley, Graduate Advisor CHRISJONES Bass/Schuler Entertainment
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 08/16/14 1040+ Green Center 5555-4We have been hosting Chris for years. He has never disappointed and the students come back year after year to see his roll on the floor funny show! Very college student appropriate humor! Jenn Mazzotta, Director for Student Activities
Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, UT 08/28/14 120 Student Event Center 4445-44 chrisjones is a great performer. We love having him on campus. He worked well with a very difficult audience and onstage participants. Brandi Mair, Coordinator CHRISTOPHER CARTER Bass/Schuler Entertainment
Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL 09/20/14 650+ Hansen Center 4555-5Colin Stewart, Dir of Student Activities/Leadership
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 09/26/14 350 Ballroom 5555555 Chris was amazing!!!! He always has an amazing show and surprises us with new things! Our students loved him! It is a MUST see show! There is nave a dull moment! Mahin Sandoval-Chavez, Lead Student Programmer CRAIG KARGES Karges Productions
Albion College, Albion, MI 09/13/14 125 College 5555--5 Bailey Judson, Student
DANIEL MARTIN Bass/Schuler Entertainment
Urbana University, Urbana, OH 09/15/14 135 Student Center 5555-55 Amazing! Did great w/CAB members & all students. A definite staple in our rotation! Mitch Joseph, Assoc. Dean of Students Siena Heights University, Adrian, MI 09/22/14 200+ DH seats 150 5555555 Dan was awesome! Our students loved it and the Meet and Greet went amazing. We had more people than expected and the show was more than we expected! Meiko McDaniel, VP Buisness ERIC MINA COMEDY HYPNOTIST GP Entertainment
Minot State University, Minot ND 09/24/14 255 Ann Nicole Nelson hall
4554-55 Great show! It's always a gamble booking unfamiliar artists but Eric was a hit! Aaron Hughes, Student Activities Coordinator
Augustana College, Sioux Falls SD 09/27/14 350+ Kresge hall 5555-55 Eric was great! Our campus will be talking about this for months. Thank you!!! Sarah Larimer, Home Coming
Keystone College, LA 09/30/14 130+ Evans Hall 5555555 Great with the audience, everyone really enjoyed it. Bigger crowd than we've had in a while. Sam Mehall, Student Activities Intern
Aurora University, Aurora il 10/07/14 425 crimi 5555555 Absolutely loved it! Definitely going to bring back!! Shelby, special events co-chair FRANK DEVILLE Kirkland Productions
University of Delaware, Newark, DE 09/20/14 50 Perkins Student Center 5555555 Tara Ozeransky, Intern FREDERICK WINTERS Bass/Schuler Entertainment
Central College, Pella, IA 09/20/14 500 Auditorium 5555555 Frederick Winters is definitely a campus favorite at Central College. He is so great and fun to work with. He really helps make our job easier. Our students love him, we get probably our biggest crowd at his event! Paige Wilkin, Student Event Planner
Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND 09/24/14 500+ Reiland Fine Arts Center 5555-55 Very good. This was his 20th year on campus and we look forward to bringing him back again! John Lynch, Director of Student Activities
Lake Region State College, Devils Lake, ND 09/25/14 100 Auditorium 5555-45 Students LOVED the performance. It was so funny. Kristi Kienast Hernandez, Student Life Coordinator JOEL MEYERS GP Entertainment
California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA 09/10/14 363 Steele Hall 5555-55 This was the third time Joel performed on our campus and each time he has been outstanding. He's one of the best performers we've brought to our campus. Him and Joseph put on a great show for the crowd.
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Robert O'Neill
THE ILLUSIONISTS: Joel Meyers and Joseph Tran
St Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, MD 09/12/14 94+ St. Mary's Hall 4454344 Marisa Perfetti, Special Events Comittee Chair Berry College, Mount Berry, GA 09/19/14 550+ Berry college 5555555 Krista Zalewski, KCAB programmer
Siena College, Loudonville, NY 10/04/14 100+ Sarazen Student Union 5555555 You're in tears the whole time. Couldn't have been more pleased with the performance. Barbara Davis, Family Weekend CoChair JOHN CASSIDY Sophie K. Entertainment
Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND 09/12/14 150+ Reiland Fine Arts Center 4555554 John was such a pleasure to work with and his performance just put the cherry on top! He was extremely grateful and his performance was raved about by students who attended. Overall a fantastic experience. Andrea Steinberger, Novelty Events Coordinator MAD CHAD TAYLOR Bass/Schuler Entertainment
Quinnipiac University, Hamden, CT 09/13/14 50 Bobcat Way Lawn 5455554 Was everything we hoped for! Matthew Capece, QUAD Performance Chair
SUNY at Geneseo, Geneseo, NY 09/13/14 160 MacVittie College Union Ballroom 4444--4 Lauren Thompson, Coordinator of Late Night Programs & Activities
Blackburn College, Carlinville, IL 09/27/14 74 Blackburn College Bothwell Auditorium 5555-55 Chad was great - very friendly and easy to work with. He gave a great performance at our school. Emily Bahr, Director of Student Activities & New Student Orientation MICHAEL KENT Fresh Variety
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 09/17/14 108 Allen Theater 5555-55 We enjoyed having Michael Kent at Tech Activities and would love to see him again! Adrianne Mannes, Coordinator for Tech Activities Board
Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta, GA), Atlanta, GA
09/18/14 100+ 4C Events Space 5555554 Jessica Merriman, Director, Student Life
Northern State University, Aberdeen, SD 09/24/14 200 Krikac Auditorium 4555545 Was a great show. Got a lot of laughs and stunned everyone! Great Job! Elizabeth Kolda, Student Programmer Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 09/26/14 275+ Forum 4555555 John Buckley, Grad. Advisor TEAM M&M Everything But The Mime
Longwood University, Farmville, VA 09/20/14 600+ Lankford Student Union 5555-54 They were a great team and they were well received by our Family Weekend audience. Susan Sullivan, Director of the University Center and Student Activities
VARIETY
AGATA'S FUN ZONE-CU STOM BUMPER STICKERS Everything But The Mime
Texas State Technical College Harlingen, Harlingen, TX 09/15/14 200+ TSTC Student Center 5555555 Belinda Palomino, Supervisor of Student Activities BALLOONS BY LESTER & BODY ART BY SUSAN Everything But The Mime
San Jacinto College-North, Houston, TX 09/10/14 100 student center 5555555 Lester and Susan are a complete joy to work with and the students enjoy the body art and balloons! I can't sing their praises loud enough! Erin K Lewis, Coordinator of Student Life State College of FloridaManatee-Sarasota, Bradenton, FL 09/11/14 300 Outside Courtyard 555555Our student's loved Lester and Susan. They have already asked to have them back again. I love that they show up early and are very independent about getting setup and starting, especially since I am usually running in twelve different directions at once on event day. They are truly fabulous. Dana Byrnes, Staff Assistant II, Student Life Rockhurst University, Kansas City, MO 09/19/14 250 outdoor 5555555 Lester and Susan and Everything But the Mime are so fantastic that we have
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Lester and Susan out twice a year and have for many, many years and call Carol for any novelites we desire. We do not want to work with anyone but them! Angie Carr Robinett, Director of Student LIfe King College, Bristol, TN 10/04/14 200 Student Center 5555555 Emily Loudon, Director of Student Life IVAN PECEL Fresh Variety
Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA 09/19/14 85 The PUB 5555-5Laura Van Buer, Assistant Director of Campus Life TEAM M & M, MARGARET'S ART ON YOU Everything But the Mime
University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 09/11/14 75 Student Center Lounge 555555Margaret is incredibly talented and amazing to work with. The students really enjoyed the Airbrush T-Shirt program. We will definitely bring her back to campus. Kendra Regehr, Director of Student Activities
SPEAKERS
DEL SUGGS Del Suggs
Darton College, Albany, GA 09/27/14 50 N/A 5555555 Outstanding quality work. The students loved him! Gill Moura, Campus Life Coordinator ELAINE PASQUA Pasqua Productions, Inc.
St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, NY 09/18/14 180 St. Francis College 5555-55 Elaine Pasqua was absolutely fabulous! She addressed every topic we felt was necessary in regards to student-athlete welfare, Title IX, sexual health and sexual assault. Any institution would be fortunate to have Elaine speak on their campus! Meghan O'Brien, Director of Athletic Marketing/SWA Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD 09/21/14 300+ Theater 4455--3 Ann Traphagen, Asst AD
Villanova University, Villanova, PA 09/29/14 150+ Villanova UniversityConnelly Center 5555--Allison Venella, Director, Student-Athlete Development
Kent State University at Kent, Kent, OH 10/01/14 400+ Ballroom 5555--Elaine did a great job of balancing informational material with comedy. We would be happy to have her back or recommend her to other campuses. Angie Hull, Assistant Athletic Director GIRLS FIGHT BACK! Kirkland Productions
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 09/11/14 70 Valhalla, Cartwright Center 5555555 A wonderful and educational experience for everyone. Our presenter was funny and provided participants with the skills necessary to protect themselves in any situation. I would recommend bringing Girls Fight Back every year to our campus! Stephanie Falch, Graduate Assistant
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JESSICA PETTITT Kirkland Productions
University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz CA 09/16/14 250 Merrill Cultural Center 5555555 Jessica Pettitt was exactly what we needed. Engaging, thought-provoking, motivating, and hilarious. She held the room's attention for the full 2 hours, and set the stage for the 2 full-day trainings she held on the following days. Our student staff is still talking about some of the concepts she introduced. I knew she'd deliver a first-class performance. We'd be lucky to have her here again every year! Julie Oberts, Coord Residential Ed SEX SIGNALS Bass/Schuler Entertainment
University of Minnesota-Rochester, Rochester, MN 09/09/14 100 Mayo Civic Center 4555555 Sex Signals is always a great show. They do a good job of making the audience laugh and think about a very difficult topic. My students were fully engaged throughout the presentation. Since the audience was mostly first year students they were a bit timid to share their thoughts at first but the presenters did a great job of making them feel comfortable. Dauline Menze, Student Activities Coordinator Indiana University-East, Richmond, IN 09/25/14 80 Vivian Auditorium 5555--5 In regard to "Relationship with Audience" I wish I could rate this artists above 5! Rebeckah Hester, Director, Campus Life STUDENTS FIGHT BACK! Kirkland Productions
Murray State University, Murray, KY 09/23/14 500+ Murray State University Campus 4455-53 Abigail French, Director, Women's Center
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www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
nearly 6 million youtube views... and counting Singer/songwriter and pop musician Dan Henig has it popping. With nearly million YouTube views, Dan made his industry debut when his video for a cover of LiL Jon’s “Get Low” went viral in 2012. He has been writing and performing his own material for years, getting his start in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but recently moved to music city to pursue his dream. “I moved to Nashville over the summer for some publishing opportunities,” he says. His style musically is broad. “I am writing mostly country music right now but am putting out some pop songs with a couple of publishing companies as well.”
Dan’s music is compared to a lot of artists and includes many influences, but he describes his own unique sound in the best way possible. “I do a mix of pop, soul, R&B with a country influence, especially in the lyrical aspects. I also perform a lot of fun covers, and I use my loop station to do beat boxing and harmonizing, which adds a lot of depth and makes things a lot more fun. It’s a really eclectic mix, unfortunately it’s kind of hard for me to put my thumb on it for you exactly.”
When he says fun covers, he tackles a range most people wouldn’t expect from a solo singer/songwriter style musician. “I do a great mix, I do some things as classic as Leonard Cohen or Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra all the way up to whatever is hot on the Top 40 right now. What I am known for are my acoustic covers of rap songs. The song ‘Get Low’ I did a YouTube video for that has over 6 million views.” The “Get Low” video got Dan noticed by many people, including Metropolis Management, which was able to bring him into the college market. “After the video went viral at the end of 2012, I started doing the college market in the fall of 2013 and was accepted to six of the seven NACA showcase events. I have been doing nonstop college events ever since all over the country. It has been a blast.”
Dan has a couple of significant milestones, like opening for Three Doors Down, Mayer Hawthorne, Brett Denin and others. Once Dan started making waves, a college agent came knocking. “Sara from Metropolis
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contacted me and signed me to their roster. This is before I moved to Nashville, when I was in college myself planning on a business major (laughs). She found me on YouTube and through a few mutual friends made contact.”
Dan says the market has been a great fit for him. “I just really like the people who come to the shows. They always seem to be very interested in hearing the music and having a good time. My show is really interactive; I get people up on stage with me and all the folks dancing. It is just a really good time. It feels like so many people are really stressed out throughout their normal days and lives with college, work, relationships, classes and tests that when they come to the show they are ready to let loose and have a good time. That is a great feeling, being able to play for people who appreciate it.” For more information on bringing Dan Henig to your campus, contact Metropolis Management at 877-536-5374, or joyce@metropolismanagement.com www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com
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