Hundreds show for Fish, Freaks

Fish and Freak fans flocked to the first of several free Friday festivals sponsored by Social Planning and Events Committee last week. Several hundred students milled around and camped out next to High Rise North, as the Friday show kicked off with a rousing hour-long set by alternative band School of Fish. The second act, House of Freaks, was sparsely attended, with only about 50 concert-viewers remaining after the 20-minute break between sets. Despite the sparse attendance for the second act, concert organizers and students said that the show was a success. SPEC Concert Committee Co-director Edward Gold said the concert was "incredible" and the operations of the show went very smoothly and professionally. "I think it was a great concert," said Gold, a College junior. "The bands were happy with the way things went." SPEC Concerts Co-director and Engineering junior William Nicklin said he was pleased with the show, and that "it came off very well." "A lot of people showed up," said Nicklin. "Some left after School of Fish, but they missed a great show." The show also went over well with students in the crowd, many of whom said they liked the concerts as a way to wind down from a week of academics and studying. "I'm really having a good time," Wharton junior Rob Dapice said. "It's good to go outside and listen to music." Wharton junior Lincoln Singleton said the free Friday concert series was a "a great idea." "[The concert] is a different social opportunity for students," Singleton said. "Who will deny free concerts?" College junior Scott Eckstein agreed, saying "it is a great idea for people to come and hang out . . . I hope they keep this up." SPEC's next free Friday show, sponsored by both SPEC Concert and Traditions committees, will be Friday, September 27, and will feature local Grateful Dead cover band Smokestack Lightning. Gold said that he expects more people to show up for the next show. "Word of mouth will be good," Gold said. "A lot of people are very excited."

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