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The annual spring concert series will no longer occur on the last day of May Days this year. The concert series, called MusicFest, will be held a week earlier, on Saturday May 14, in Gates Field House of the Ritchie Center – not on the Driscoll Green, where it is typically held every year.
The reason for this scheduling change came down to pricing, according to Leslie Obletz, co-chair of DU Programming Board (DUPB).
In past years, MusicFest cost roughly $45,000, costing more in production – like setting up the stage and lights on Driscoll Green – than booking the performers. This year, DUPB is spending approximately $30,000, including $12,000 going towards covering musician and crew costs and $10,000 towards the rental of Gates Field House and marketing costs.
“We wanted to make sure we were getting the most bang for your buck,” said Obletz. “MusicFest is still gonna have the same feel, but inside.”
Because MusicFest will be held inside, DUPB will be able to offer more accommodations to students this year, including a beer garden and other concession stands usually present at the hockey games in Magness Arena, according to Obletz.
The budget for MusicFest, as well as all other DUPB programs comes directly from the student activity fee each student pays along with tuition.
However, to increase student participation and attendance, DUPB opted to charge a ticket price.
“We would charge more, but we don’t think that’s fair,” said Taylor Wettlaufer, MusicFest co-chair. “We’re not here to make a profit.”
Pre-sale tickets to MusicFest will be $3 for students and $10 for non-students. The date tickets will be for sale to students has yet to be determined, but they will be available at the Explore Denver desk in Driscoll North. DU students may also purchase tickets at the door for $5 each. Tickets for non-DU students will be $15 at the door.
May Days will begin on Monday, May 23, with the annual pancake brunch on Driscoll Green and a farmers’ market.
On May 24, there will be different inflatables on the Green, including a water slide and obstacle course. The annual carnival will be held on May 25, with a movie on the lawn playing that night.
Instead of MusicFest, there will be a silent disco dance party on May 26, in which participants can dance to music on two different channels, which will be broadcast through headphones they will be wearing.
“So students will actually be getting two music traditions,” said Wettlaufer.
