Rocktoberfest to showcase student musicians
By: Mallory Roshkowski – Staff Writer
It’s officially fall: time to break out your boots and sweaters, visit an apple orchard, frolic in the leaves and snatch up anything pumpkin-flavored as soon as possible.
One of the many fall activities the University of Dayton has to offer is Rocktoberfest, which will take place at ArtStreet Saturday, Oct. 4.
“Rocktoberfest is an awesome event because it gives us a chance to showcase the musical talent that we have on campus,” says Street Sounds Recording Studio Club President Dan Prince.
Student bands like Nine Ties and The Leap Years are set to take the stage along with Remedy, the UD Irish Dance Club, Black Epoch, DJ Raakmo and the winners of the Thursday Night Live First Year Showcase, Max Boyle and Kerry Speed.
“As you will see, there is a wide range of talent on display: from hip-hop, to acapella, to rock, and more,” notes Prince, a senior computer engineering major.
The Leap Years are looking forward to performing their “folk-rock pop” style of music. Vocalist and guitarist, Joe Oliveri, described the band’s sound as, “violin-acoustic roots mixed with electric guitar and hoppy drum rhythms.”
“We will be playing some covers we’ve been working on for a while and new ones we are just starting to grasp along with some of our own music, which we have worked on since last year and have recorded and mixed professionally,” Oliveri said, previewing his band’s plans for the event.
Nine Ties is coming off of a successful show at Flanagan’s Pub Saturday, Sept. 20.
“We just came off a fantastic parent’s weekend show and hope to keep up that momentum,” Nine Ties pianist and senior electrical engineering major Matt Sprague said. “We are looking to debut some new originals at Rocktoberfest. This is our first time playing ArtStreet this year and we think it is a great setting to try out these new songs on a live audience before we start recording them for our new project this fall.”
Rocktoberfest isn’t just about the music. The event will also feature games and activities to get students in the fall spirit. These activities include pumpkin carving, tie-dye, Phi Sigma Kappa’s Phastest Pitch, Slam ‘n Stick Velcro wall, bobbing for doughnuts, cornhole and Can Jam.
Students can also compete in the pie-eating contest to win a free Dayton 2 Daytona trip and earn the self-proclaimed title of pie-eating champion. Register at ArtStreet Cafe to participate.
Prince expresses his excitement for the event and highly encourages students to attend this night of fall fun.
“This will be the 10th annual fall music festival at ArtStreet, and we hope to make it one to remember,” he said.
Rocktoberfest will take place at ArtStreet Saturday from 6:30 to 11 p.m. with no admission cost. The rain site for this event is McGinnis Center. To preview music from The Leap Years or Nine Ties before the event, visit Spotify or iTunes. The Leap Years’ EP is titled “Just Some Things” and Nine Ties has a self-titled album.