With spring break right around the corner, every student’s adrenaline is rushing a little more. You and your friends are chaotically making plans to visit the spot where you will have the most fun in the sun for the cheapest price.
Considering all of these aspects, I figured my final rant should incorporate some helpful information about some possible places to visit.
From now until March 17, you have the opportunity to be advancing your career in the nice, warm surroundings of Austin, Texas at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences + Festivals. SXSW offers films, music and interaction with professionals in the fields of writing, communication and design. This conference is fairly expensive for those out of school (more than $700), but with a student ID you only pay a maximum of $150 for an all-access pass. It should be extremely worthwhile because not only can you connect with professionals and gain a new sense of knowledge, but the conference also offers a lot of entertainment.
More than 800 bands will be performing at the festival during a nine-day period. The $150 includes access to a majority of the shows and the conferences. However, certain shows will be excluded and for those, you must buy an individual ticket. These tickets are still a bargain, because one $10 ticket will serve as possible admission for eight different concerts. Therefore, this event not only offers entertainment, but it is sophisticated too.
Another possible Spring Break option, which includes thinking, is the 26th Humana Festival in Louisville, Kentucky. This festival, open until April 13, is presented by the Actors Theatre of Louisville. It features more than 25 new and established playwrights.
The festival is known internationally as one of the most important annual events in theater. More importantly, it is committed to social responsibility and for the improved quality of life. The festival runs two shows per day, and with a student ID, tickets will only cost $12 if purchased 15 minutes before the curtain rises. Besides the cost, one aspect that you should consider, is this conference requires thought. You will think a lot during the productions, and upon your departure you will have a greater insight for how plays are developed. On the brighter side, what would a play be without intellectual stimulation?
For those not interested in thinking, and maybe even killing a few brain cells, go to Miami Beach from March 23 – 27 for the Winter Music Conference. More than 6,500 music industry professions, along with thousands of other music lovers, will gather in Miami for a week-long party. Not only will the WMC be showcasing world-renowned DJs, the conference also hosts DJ spin-offs, poolside performances, workshops, new artists showcase and on March 26, the WMC will present the 17th Annual International Dance Music Awards. This conference will be at the Miami Beach Convention Center and will cost around $400 per head.
If you still desire a beach for spring break, but don’t want to break the bank, attend South Padre Island and visit the XBox gaming area, part of the “XBox Odyssey,” now until March 23. The XBox gaming area includes 52 game stations, a DJ stand, overhead video screens for game play and a VIP Lounge. You have opportunities to compete head-to-head in such multi-player games as Halo, NFL Fever, DOA3, and Fuzion Frenzy or go one-on-one with games like Tony Hawk 2X, NHL Hitz, and Transworld Surf. Or once you get bored playing games, go sit on the beach and enjoy the music from the DJ booth, which doubles as a stage for a band.
Most likely this vaction will not be the most stimulating experience, but hey, that is why they call it vacation.
Adam Reiss is The Lantern arts editor and is graduating with a degree in journalism next Friday. He believes he will soon write something other than news for you to read. He can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected].
