Veishea embraces past

Cast members of Brigadoon practiced in a Forker gymnasium (above) until this week, when they were able to start dress rehearsals at Stephens. Photo by Bob Elbert.

by Debra Gibson
Veishea returns to its roots this year with a nine-day festival beginning April 4.

"Iowa State On Display" is the theme of this year's largest student-run, alcohol-free celebration in the nation.

"The original purpose of Veishea was to display the work of the different colleges," said Merry Cooper, publicity co-chairperson. "This particular theme also was used for the very first Veishea."

But plenty of contemporary events will establish this year's celebration as unique from the first. In a nod to the success of reality TV, two student competitions will be held next week to recognize student talent.

"Veishea Says I'm Funny" will serve as a springboard for aspiring comedians, beginning with a Star Search-like competition at 8 p.m. April 9 in the Memorial Union Great Hall. The winner will perform as an opening act at "Dew The Rec," beginning at 8:15 p.m. April 11 at the Lied Center.

This year's headliners for "Dew the Rec" are comedians Jim Breuer, best known as "Goat Boy" on Saturday Night Live, and Bobby Lee, currently appearing on Mad TV. Tickets can be purchased through TicketMaster for $12 for the public ($15 day of the show).

Like its American Idol inspiration, "Cyclone Idol" will seek out the most talented ISU student vocalist. Competitions were held in March, with the 16 finalists scheduled to vie for the $400 prize at 8 p.m. April 10 in the Memorial Union Great Hall.

And in another new twist for Veishea, a benefit silent auction will be held on central campus (south of the campanile) from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 12. Proceeds will benefit the Veishea Scholarship Fund for high school seniors.

Traditions remain, though, throughout Veishea 2003. Opening ceremonies, scheduled for 12:15 p.m. April 11 north of the campanile, will feature keynote speaker Cael Sanderson, former ISU wrestling champion, as well as President Gregory Geoffroy, Vice President Tom Hill and retired ISU staff member "Wild Bill" Yungclas. The annual parade, beginning at 10:40 a.m. April 12, will include former ISU President Gordon Eaton as parade marshal.

And in upholding 80 years of tradition, Stars Over Veishea presents its annual musical, Brigadoon, at Stephens Auditorium. The musical focuses on the Scottish village of Brigadoon, which awakens only one day every 100 years.

Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. April 11-12, and 2 p.m. April 13, with a 10 a.m. matinee April 11. Tickets, on sale at the Iowa State Center ticket office, are $12 for the public ($15 day of the show) and $5 for the Friday morning matinee.

Displaying university accomplishments remains a top priority on the Veishea agenda. As in years past, faculty-staff recognitions will take place at a reception at 5 p.m. April 10 in the Memorial Union Sun Room. ISU employees being honored include Lee Burras, agronomy; Michael Martin, landscape architecture; Valerie Sheares-Ashby, chemistry; Lynn Graham, human development and family studies; Mani Mina, electrical and computer engineering; J. Tom Turner, curriculum and instruction; Larry Curtis, accounting; Eileen Thacker, veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine; and Tori Postel, facilities planning and management.

These recipients also are invited to participate in a "best burger" cook-off at 12:30 p.m. April 8 on central campus.

Veishea 2003
"Iowa State on Display"
April 4-13, partial list of events
4-1026

MU= Memorial Union

Saturday, April 5

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Bike race, Criterion, central campus.

Sunday, April 6

• 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Mountain bike race, Peterson Pits.
• 4:30 p.m., Road race, 5K, central campus.

Monday, April 7

• 7:30-10 a.m., Faculty breakfasts, college headquarters.
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Colleges of Ag/Vet Med Day, gunny sack races, mechanical bull and tug of war, free food with Veishea button, central campus.

Tuesday, April 8

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Colleges of FCS/Education Day, giant games, entertainment, free food with Veishea button, central campus.
• 12:30-1:30 p.m., Cook-off, "celebrities" from each college vying for "Best Burger" honors, central campus.
• 6:30-8 p.m., Reception, to recognize student leaders for contributions to their organizations, Great Hall, MU.

Wednesday, April 9

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m., College of LAS Day, inflatable games, entertainment, free food with Veishea button, central campus.
• 8 p.m., Comedy competition, "Veishea Says I'm Funny," winner is opening act at Dew The Rec April 11, Great Hall, MU.

Thursday, April 10

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m., College of Business Day, inflatable games, free food with Veishea button, central campus.
• 4 p.m., Reception, Veishea scholars, Harold Pride lounge, MU.
• 5-6:15 p.m., Reception, to recognize faculty for their support of Veishea, Sun Room, MU.
• 8-11 p.m., Vocalist competition, "Cyclone Idol," 16 finalists vie for $400 prize, Great Hall, MU.

Friday, April 11

• 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Cherry pie sale, $1, 16 MacKay.
• 9-11 a.m., Community float tours, Greek neighborhoods south of campus, tours depart from 201 Gray Ave.
• 10 a.m., School matinee, Stars Over Veishea, Brigadoon, $5, Stephens.
• 10 a.m.-2 a.m., Taste of Veishea, food vendors, games, Welch Avenue.
• 11 a.m.-2 p.m., College of Engineering Day, sky-diving machine, free food with Veishea button, central campus.
• 12:15 p.m., Opening ceremony, speakers president Gregory Geoffroy, vice president for student affairs Tom Hill, Bill Yungclas, Ames, and Cael Sanderson, ISU wrestling champion, central campus.
• 2 p.m.-midnight, Battle of the Bands, Welch Avenue.
• 7:30 p.m., Performance, Stars Over Veishea, Brigadoon, $10-$15, Stephens.
• 9 p.m., Performance, Dew the Rec, Jim Breuer and Bobby Lee, comedians, $8-$15, Lied Center.

Saturday, April 12

• 7:30-11:30 a.m., Pancake breakfast with Chris Cakes, $5, central campus.
• 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Silent auction, benefits Veishea scholarship fund for H.S. seniors, central campus.
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Open houses, at colleges and departments throughout campus.
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Cy's Big Top (1-5 p.m. includes kiddie games), central campus.
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Cultural festival, with stage performances, central campus.
• 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Village Square Stage, music, dance, skits and demonstrations, central campus.
• 9:30 a.m., Cherry pie sale, $1, until gone, 16 MacKay.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m., International food fair, $2-$7, Great Hall, MU.
• 10:40 a.m., Veishea parade, campus route from the Armory to the Memorial Union via Lagomarcino, Bessey, LeBaron and Beardshear halls.
• 1:30-4 p.m, Canoe joust, Lake Laverne.
• 2 p.m.-2 a.m., Taste of Veishea, see April 11.
• 2 p.m., Canine Club Dog Show, Vet Med College.
• 7 p.m.-2 a.m., Harambee Celebration, Great Hall, MU.
• 7:30 p.m., Performance, Stars Over Veishea, see April 11.

Sunday, April 13

• 8 a.m., Golf tournament, 4-person best ball, $34 per person, Veenker Golf Course.
• 2 p.m., Performance, Stars Over Veishea, see April 11.
• 4 p.m., Closing ceremony, Sun Room, MU.