Winter’s chill in your bones? and your brain’s deep-fried from studying?
If you need a break this semester, WPI’s Class Board 2016 and Residence Hall Council (RHC) knows exactly what you need to warm up both body and soul – the 2014 Coffee House. This season will feature over 20 performance groups, from improv to a cappella, all with an accompanying cup of free, steaming hot tea or coffee.
The season opens Saturday, Feb. 1, in the Rubin Campus Center Odeum, 7–10pm. Class of 2016 custom shirts and Coffee House mugs will be available for purchase, along with the chance to order up your Krispy Kreme donuts from Res Life staff and RHC members. General admission tickets are only $5.
Director of programming for RHC as well as the treasurer for the 2016 Class Board Thomas Buonomano tells the Herd that he and his associates are resurrecting a tradition. “Last year was the first time we had done it,” he says, “but I do know that there were previously held coffeehouses on campus that were done regularly, but fell off.”
At last year’s show, 20 performers, from Simple Harmonic Motion to Scarves and Ukuleles, performed—with an estimated 170 tickets sold.
Using ticketleap.com to handle sales this year (for ease of debit card payment), the service will also allow the use of discount codes, as well as a hashtag feature hosted on the ticketleap event page. This means #wpicoffeehouse posts from Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter will pop up on the event page to encourage social networking and viral posts for fast-paced PR.
The popular raffle from last year’s series has returned, featuring prizes including a flat-screen TV. Every admission ticket holder will receive one raffle ticket; an additional ticket can be bought at the door for $2.
The Coffee House committee is currently taking applications for 2014 performances. “We take any live performances—in particular, instrumental, comedy, and singing, but we are open to other live performances, so we encourage everyone to at least submit an application,” says Buonomano. The committee asks that sets be no longer than five minutes, PG 13 (family-friendly please!), and minus any fancy props. Those interested may apply HERE.
Proceeds from the sale of mugs and T-shirts (which go directly to the 2016 Class Board) will be used for the class gift, as well as for future programming.
Find our more information at their facebook event page (https://www.facebook.com/events/1448619565366768/), #wpicoffeehouse, or online at rhc.wpi.edu/coffeehouse.
