By Delia Paunescu
In recent years, festivals like South by Southwest, Coachella and Bonaroo have gained popularity as thousands flock to various parts of the country for the mutual enjoyment of music outdoors and general merriment. In the same spirit of happiness and music, the Hofstra Music Fest returns for a second time.
“We’re really excited to give the Hofstra community another opportunity to basically just enjoy life,” says Veronica Gerosimo, a senior public relations major and the president of Hofstra Concerts.
“Our main goal with the Hofstra Music Fest is to create a tradition at the University where it becomes common knowledge that the first Saturday of May is going to be filled with free music, food and entertainment before the hecticness of finals and the end of the semester begins,” she adds.
This year’s Fest will be held this coming Saturday, May 3 on the Intramural Fields beginning at 2 p.m. On the schedule are bands Kristy’s Corner Store, Striving in Greater Hopes, I am Alaska, South African singer/songwriter Farryl Purkiss, winners of this year’s Battle of the Bands The C-4 Movement and headliner Bayside.
The event will also include free food and drinks, commemorative towels, carnival attractions and a silent auction sponsored by the Long Island Drum Center.
Festival-goers are also encouraged to donate any non-perishable food items to the drive sponsored by Rock Can Roll. “The Music Fest is the end to Hofstra’s volunteer week,” Gerosimo explains. “We will be honoring all the work that students have done throughout the week and hope to end it off on a note with a successful food drive.”
The Hofstra Music Fest was held for the first time on May 5, 2007. According to Gerosimo, it was a huge success with about 2,500 people in attendance. Administration called last year’s Fest “the biggest event of the year.”
“I can only see this event getting bigger as years go by,” Gerosimo says of the future of the Hofstra Music Fest. “I’m jealous that I won’t be here to be part of the planning process,” she adds with a chuckle.