This Week in Athens: May 16th - May 23rd

Hey guys,

First off, I know it's week 8 and everyone is super busy, so good luck with all of your studies! I know it's hard when the sun is shining and the birds are singing, and virtually the rest of the college world is on summer break, but you can do it! We're all in this together.

Second, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who has been keeping up with my posts over the past few weeks of this project. It has really meant a lot to me! I've had a really fun time with this blog, and I'm thinking of keeping it going through my last year here in Athens... what do you guys think? I would love to take any suggestions anyone has out there, and definitely keep the posts coming! I really do look forward to reading them each week. This will be my last post for awhile, but I always have my eye out for good deals in the area, and I look forward to letting you know about what I find in the future! Thanks again for everything, and keep checking back here because I still have plenty of ideas! Here's what I plan on tackling sometime soon....

* Places in Athens you've probably never been: The Purple Chopsticks, Dela Zona & Indian Star
* Fine dining experiences... which has the most worth for your money?
* The cutest (and most affordable) accessories on Court St.
* Coffeehouses... quality vs. price
* Online college dining resources Campusmenus.com and Eatcollege.com: Coupons, deals and more

But for now, I will leave you with a compilation of events taking place this week. So if you do have time to take a study break, you'll be able to have fun - as always - on a budget :)


Monday:
* Study day!

Tuesday:

*2010 Graphic Design BFA Exhibition Opening:
7pm to 9pm Seigfred Hall, Ohio University Art Gallery

Free show featuring projects designed and created by the graduating Graphic Design class of 2010. Check out their website if you're interested in viewing the artwork before the show!

The exhibition will remain open until Saturday, May 29th. Gallery hours are 10:00am-4:00pm.

(http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124669447548145&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=119785678045728&ref=ts)


* Ohio Men's Baseball vs. Xavier

Last home game of the 2010 season, 6pm Bob Wren Stadium
Tickets free for all Ohio University students, and $5 dollars for any single ticket!
(For more pictures of the team, go to my post Take Me Out to the Ball Game.)

* Sushi Tuesday's at Lui Lui Restaurant

* Retro Night at PigSkin: .50 cent drafts and DJ Aroc
Also, check out their online coupons here. Pigskin is known for having great deals!


Wednesday:
* $5 dollar Liquor Pitchers: Lucky's Sports Tavern

* .50 cent slice night at Courtside Pizza and Sports Bar, plus $1.00 shots & $1.50 wells; 9:00pm - Close


Thursday:

*First Annual Bark Fest, 2010: Hosted by OU's Association for Women in Communication; 3-7pm, Howard Hall Site

A philanthropy event for the Athens Humane Society. There will be raffles from local businesses, and dogs from the Humane Society will be present through the afternoon, so bring your dogs too!
(http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=124669447548145&ref=ts#!/event.php?eid=120318157985835&ref=ts)

Free Food. Cute Dogs. Sweet Prizes.
Can't get any better then that!

* Free Canoeing and Swimming trip: Outdoor Pursuits
Every Thursday in May 5:30pm-8:30pm

Trips depart from the Outdoor Pursuits Rental Center.

No registration is required, just show up! Transportation, instruction and all required gear will be provided at no cost.

(http://www.ohio.edu/recreation/op/SCHEDULETripsSpr10.html)

Next Week: May 27, Canoeing and Swimming at Dow Lake

* May Day OU 2010: 5 pm, McCracken Field
Featuring free performances by hip hop artists Clipse and Consequence

Check out the videos below for a sample of their music...


(Caution: may include explicit material)



Hosted by OU organizations: Backdrop Magazine, BSCPB, UPC, ImPRessions, SAC, and Vision Ohio.

* School of Dance Concert: Shirley Wimmer Theatre, Putnam Hall
Thursday and Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm and 8pm

The Ohio University School of Dance presents their School of Dance Spring Concert. Come see performances by the Senior Class 2010, guest artists and students alike. I go to these performances every quarter, and they are always great! (Free ticket with a valid student Id)

* $2 Mega Mug Night at Red Brick Tavern; one of the most popular, and best, deals of the week.


Friday:

* Relay for Life at the Athens County Fairgrounds, 286 West Union Street!

Whether you camp out with a team, or just come out and walk around the track, you'll be helping a great cause.

Takes place 5p.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday.



Saturday:

* If you have the extra money to splurge ($20)... 7 Fest, the seventh installment of the premier college campus outdoor music festival is taking place at 7755 Williams Road from 11am to 11pm Saturday, May 22nd. Tickets can be purchased uptown at Courtside, Yannis or Sundries.



(http://www.athens6fest.com/SixFest.WeRunOU/images/stories/5fest030.jpg)

Set list includes: Bourbon Kings, iPhonic, The Forties, Fam Fresh, DJ Edski, Mt Carmel, The One Eyed Show, Downplay, L.e, Jesty Beatz, B. YONEST, Mike Posner.

For more information go to the 7 Fest site.


Sunday

Take a day to relax :)


By the way, if you're interested in more restaurant and bar promotions, check out campusmenus.com for a full list of nightly and monthly specials, and happy hour promotions.

I tend to check this daily. They have so many great deals!



Anyway, that's all for now Athens. Thanks for everything!


Julie

Boston-based band to play free concert at Jackie O's

Looking for something fun to do on your Friday night? Join rock infused, jazz trio Dear Havanah at Jackie O's Irish Pub and Brewery tonight at 9pm for a free concert.

That's right, I said free! The Boston-based band, formed in 2008, is currently in the middle of their Ohio Sun Tour, promoting an upcoming album set for release sometime this summer.

(http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=836500622#!/photo.php?pid=4218687&id=55992749618&fbid=220860489618)

After playing a free, two-hour show at the Front Room coffee house in Baker University Center Wednesday night, they'll be rocking out again tonight - in a show not only free for students, but for anyone in Athens looking to have a locally brewed beer and listen to some good music.

Not everything free is worth it, but I tell you, this show will definitely be.

Connor Ridic Goddard of the University Program Council (UPC), the program behind booking the band for the University, said, "they are so excited to be back in Athens since last spring." This is the band's second year in a row playing at Ohio University. Last year, they made a stop in Athens to promote their first album, Chasing Butterflies, which was released in December of 2008.


(http://cache0.bigcartel.com/product_images/2055317/300.jpg)

Band members consist of Colin Healy on electric bass, Mike Blong on drums, percussion and background vocals, and Dan Htoo-Levine, lead vocalist, acoustic guitarist, and harmonicist who, according to the band's website, has been writing songs and strumming the acoustic guitar since the age of 11.

"I saw these guys on their trip through last year, and they rocked," said Lee Santelle, junior Ohio University student majoring in audio production. "Their brand of tight country/blues is hard to do, and they do it well. Good show."

Their honest lyrics, rhythmic hooks and laid-back shows are what make them unique.

Laura Baskin, junior Ohio University student majoring in psychology agrees. "I really liked their acoustic feel."

The band is slowly making themselves nationally known as they tour clubs and college campuses from the Northeast across the Midwest. In the recording studio, Dear Havanah is currently collaborating with Alan Evans, drummer of Soulive, a jazz/funk trio originating from Buffalo, New York. Evans is working on producing their untitled album at Playonbrother Studios in Hatfield, Ma.

(http://www.dearhavanah.com/img/head_bg.jpg)
From Left: Colin Healy, Dan Htoo-Levine and Mike Blong.

This year, the trio is accompanied on their tour by a horn section, including two saxophone players, an organ player and electric guitarist, giving the group a new edge to their sound.

Blong, originally from Hudson, OH, describes the band as being influenced by many styles of music, but particularly the works of the Black Crowes and Dave Matthews Band, as described in an article in The Post. I went to high school with Blong, and he is a talented musician who played percussion in both marching and concert bands, participated in the percussion ensemble and went on to attend the Berklee College of Music. I've been appreciative of Blong's musicianship for years, and when I heard he was in a new band I was immediately interested.

Since Dear Havanah came to perform at OU last year, I've been a fan. I've now seen them twice, and with up-beat and engaging music, these energetic musicians never fail to put on a fantastic performance. Here are a few pictures from Wednesday night's show.



If you're curious about their sound, check out the video below. With enticing lyrics and a great feel, this live performance of "The Rain" features the full band and is definitely my favorite song of theirs. If you like what you hear, definitely stop buy Jackie O's tonight - it'll be well worth it. Also, the band is offering 3 free download off Chasing Butterflies on their website, so definitely check that out as well.



So take a break from paying covers, Athens, and worry only about paying for your drinks tonight. Come out, sit back, and enjoy the show... for free!

Follow the boys on Twitter, Myspace and Facebook, or read their band blog here.