Arts groups perform this weekend

Tonight and tomorrow night, Broadway stars will seem dim as the University's performing arts groups shine together in a night of drama, comedy, Penn Band and song. This weekend's Performing Arts Nights will exhibit a smorgasbord of performing groups at the University offering new and current students the chance to sample almost every group on campus. One of the major purposes of the evening is to help students learn more about the performing arts community before auditions begin later this month. But many attend the annual event just to enjoy the multi-musical spectacle. As years of tradition dictate, Penn Band will open the evening. "We'll storm through the aisles, playing our alotted four minutes and run back out," said Penn Band president, Paul Luongo, a College senior. "We try to make as much noise as possible." Two non-Performing Arts Council groups will be featured this weekend -- Performance Dance Theatre and the Ballroom Dance Society. The four-year-old Ballroom Dance Society was started by a group of students who had surpassed the level of the classes offered at the University, according to Amy Raslevich, the group's president. The group has applied for PAC recognition. "Within a month, we should know if we've gotten recognition," Wharton senior Raslevich said. Raslevich and her partner, College senior Larry Wagner will be performing a jitterbug both evenings. The other non-PAC group Performance Dance Theatre combines dance and acting and includes members from the University as well as the surrounding community. While some of the groups will be performing old favorites, others will be bringing new acts to the stage. And many of the groups traditionally prefer to keep their performance plans a secret. Pennsylvania 6-5000, will be doing something "special," according to group member Ed Matz. "It's top secret actually but I think it's very important for people to come," the Wharton senior added. "But it's vital to national security right now. To let the cat out of the bag could endanger the country. Performing Arts Night will be in the Annenberg Center's Zellerbach Theater on tonight and tomorrow night at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased through the Annenberg Box office or at the door.

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