EAAvesdropping: Dooley's Week

Showing posts with label Dooley's Week. Show all posts

Friday, March 25, 2011

Every Dooley's Week has got 'em (fourth in a series)

That is, a comedian and an artist or two. But this Dooley's Week, we (the Student Programming Council) got some good ones.

Comedian Donald Glover not only kept me awake Wednesday night after a long few days of working the week's events, but had me laughing to the point of tears. Cliche, I know, but true.

When he first came on stage at Glenn Memorial Auditorium, he asked the audience if anyone watched NBC's Community on which he plays Troy Barnes. After everyone cheered, he said his stand up would be nothing like that.

He went on to tell more than PG-rated jokes to a consistently laughing audience that included his father sitting up in the balcony. He joked about life experiences and interacted with the audience, giving a shout-out to a student after she tweeted for one.

He resurrected Twitter a bit later when he referenced the online controversy about the idea of Glover playing Spider-Man. He especially poked fun at one commentator's comparison that Glover as Spider-Man would be like Michael Cera playing Shaft, a movie Glover said he'd pay to see over and over again.

He ended with a nice little story from his childhood adventure at The Home Depot, but I don't think I would do it justice by retelling it here.

And then Thursday night, SPC and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) didn't "apologize" for co-sponsoring the OneRepublic concert on McDonough Field. Students "stopped and stared" as they performed their set. It was no "secret" that everyone had a good time--and that they played all of their hit singles. (Anymore I can sneak in this post?)

They played a few covers, including a sweet rendition of "Stand by Me" and a fusion of "Seven Nation Army" and "SexyBack."

If you didn't notice, their on-stage lighting was pretty impressive, and that didn't include all of it. Rumor has it--well, the Dooley's Week chairs said--that we had to tell the band to withhold some of their lighting because our stage couldn't take all that weight.

So if you missed either of those two acts, we've got one more tonight: Dooley's Ball, featuring Milkman, a mash-up artist otherwise known as Gregg Luskin. If you're thinking Girl Talk circa 2010 Dooley's Ball, then I'd say you have a pretty good idea of what tonight will be like.

And if you haven't heard, the ball's going to be on McDonough Field, not the WoodPEC as originally planned. (We got DeKalb County to ease up on its noise ordinance rules for tonight.)

Remember, it's a costume ball. Dress accordingly.

Photos by Stacy Perlis 11B

--Lindsey Bomnin 12C, EAA communications intern

Thursday, March 24, 2011

And the winner gets...(third in a series)

...T-shirts!

Tons and tons of Dooley's Week t-shirts.

That was the grand prize for the top-scoring teams at the end of trivia night on Tuesday. And a lucky few won a meet-and-greet with comedian Donald Glover Wednesday night and others with Wiz Kalifa at Spring Band Party next Thursday...but I think they were more excited about the t-shirts.

This year's second-annual trivia night packed Cox Hall Ballroom with brainy (and those with brainy friends) trivia junkies for a night of history, science, pop culture, and potpourri--that's the wild card category.

If you knew Beyonce performed for Muammar Gaddafi a few years ago, you would've gotten one answer right. And if you knew how to identify quotes by Gadaffi and Charlie Sheen, you would've been Winning. The kicker that got most people was that last question about the seven countries that have experienced the biggest earthquakes. I don't even remember all seven but the United States, Ecuador, Japan were all up there.

And the teams that did get all seven cheered loud enough so that all the other tables could hear them, which is exactly what I would've done.

Photo by Stacy Perlis 11B

--Lindsey Bomnin 12C, EAA communications intern

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Emory gets 'Tasty' (second in a series)

When 15 restaurants serving delicious food line Asbury Circle on a sunny Monday afternoon, I like to call that the "Taste of Emory," and the biggest one ever at that.

Stationed as a restaurant "ambassador" to DBA Barbecue for the whole event, the first of Dooley's Week, I inhaled the enticing scent of barbecue, while students lined up for the grub. And after a few napkin-, plate-, and fork-runs, I was rewarded with my own plate of pulled pork, baked beans, and potato salad.

To the right at the El Original Taco stand, they were serving pork carnitas tacos, and further down, Twain's was serving fried macaroni and cheese balls with bacon bits inside. I can almost taste it as I'm writing it down.

And to the left of DBA, Figo Pasta was serving a variety of bruschetta (my favorite had goat cheese on top), and further down toward Cox Bridge, Violette Restaurant whipped up a generous display of French desserts like éclairs. And all of that doesn't even cover half of the restaurants that came out to serve their specialties.

Well over 3,000 guests attended the event (we blame this happiness on a wise change of location from the Goizueta Business School to the wide-open Asbury Circle), so a lot of the food ran out after the first hour.

The only restaurant that survived the crazed DUC-frequenting Emory students until the end was Bruster's Real Ice Cream, that served countless scoops of strawberry, mango and cookie dough ice cream.

The day wasn't without it glitches (we had a last-minute cancellation), but I think we delivered--literally. Taste of Emory easily takes the cake (excuse my culinary puns) for the biggest food delivery to campus every year.

So if you didn't get a taste of Emory this Dooley's Week, I bet these restaurants would love to catch you up on what you missed.

Photo by Stacy Perlis 11B

--Lindsey Bomnin 12C, EAA communications intern

Monday, March 21, 2011

The beginning of the Greatest Week on Earth (first in a series)

Once a year, skeletons creep all over campus. Once a year, a dug-up coffin sits ominously in front of the Dobbs University Center (DUC) sign on Asbury Circle. Once a year, Lord James W. Dooley springs (sort of) to life to frolic around campus letting students out of their classes.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni of all ages, Cirque Dool'ey is coming to town, and it's going to be the greatest week of Earth!

Months of hard work, planning, and organization by the Student Programming Council (SPC), myself included, will finally come to fruition this week. About 1,500 shirts have been rolled and are ready to be given out (keeping eye contact is key). Hundreds of flyers have been posted all over campus. And SPC will be offering elephant rides all throughout Dooley's Week...just kidding! (No animals were harmed in the planning of Dooley's Week.)

Later today, we'll be setting up for the first--and tastiest--Dooley's Week event, the Taste of Emory. It's going to be hard not to sneak samples from the 15 restaurants worth of free food all around me while I'm working the drinks table, but I promise I'll try. If you're a fan, of Fritti, Nicola's Restaurant, DBA Barbecue, El Original Taco, and many more restaurants, and you're in the area, you're not going to want to miss this.

Now, for those of you alumni who can't make it back to Emory for Dooley's Week and are reminiscing about the days when Dooley let you out of your biology lab, this goes out to you. Nowadays, the Lord of Misrule uses our email system to entice students to write limericks requesting that Dooley them out of their classes. Here are a few that have popped up today:

In ANT 312 we study you
Your humerus, tibia and femur, too.
It sounds like so much fun;
the students- they learn a ton,
but I'm the TA
and I just want to run!

- Amanda Winburn 11C

Actual malice, torts, and prior restraint
These scary law words just make me want to faint
As a journalism major I didn't intend
to learn about libel and defamation til I bend.
Please, Lord Dooley, as a final Senior favor
Release us from class so that Trivia Night we can savor
I know that it's late and this stop will probably be your last,
But in Comm Law we need some love; is that too much to ask?

I realize we're learning how to avoid jail
but from 6-8:30 PM, I feel like I might fail.
Oh Dooley, the last four years have been so rewarding
but in Comm Law, let's be honest, it's just all kinds of boring.
Come make an appearance, oh Lord of Misrule,
and I promise you won't see happier kids at this school.

- Alexandra Lemco 11C

Despite the pretentiousness, show us some pity

Ranked #3, but this prereq ain't pretty.
Dull drawn out lectures, with handwriting to match,
Ops hurts Monday/Wednesday, sew me a patch.
Save us from dreary, one-sided discussions
Heads slamming books may cause concussions.
Despite the tall hill, upon which we reside,
The B-School is Emory, put Lord Dooley inside.

- Jeffrey Solodky 12B

Happy Dooley's Week!

--Lindsey Bomnin 12C, EAA communications intern

Monday, March 14, 2011

The Greatest Week on Earth!

Dooley's Week is coming to town for the greatest week on Earth! Next week marks the start of Emory's annual spirit week in honor of our unofficial skeletal mascot. And alumni are invited to Cirque Dool'ey. That's right, it's circus themed.

Enjoy performances throughout the week by The Imperial Opa, featuring all the classic circus acts, like fire eaters, jugglers, and stilt walkers.

Here are a few of the week's events:

Monday, March 21 - Taste of Emory
If you're interested in free food from some of the best restaurants around Atlanta, you'll want to attend the third annual Taste of Emory. This year we have a record-breaking number of restaurants. You can sneak a peek of participating restaurants on the Student Programming Council's (SPC) web page. Don't forget to register online for this tasty event.

Wednesday, March 23 - Comedian Donald Glover
Comedian Donald Glover of NBC comedy series Community will make you laugh next Wednesday night. Though he's best known for his role as community college student Troy Barnes in the series, we hear Glover's stand up comedy is on the rise.

Thursday, March 24 - One Republic Concert
Co-sponsored by the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and SPC, One Republic will be performing on McDonough Field. No need to "Apologize" if you're not familiar with the band. One Republic is a rock/pop band from Colorado Springs, CO, known for their singles "Stop and Stare" and "Secrets."

You can read more about Dooley's Week here and register for all of these events online.

--Lindsey Bomnin, EAA communications intern

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

A trip down Emory lane

Well Emory, the time has come to say goodbye—but just for the summer. I’ll be back as the EAA’s communications assistant in the fall. So before I bid you adieu, I’d like to wax nostalgic about blogging for the EAA.

From the first time I introduced myself to this bittersweet post, I’ve had some singular experiences.

Browsing the pages of Emory’s ancient yearbooks in the Schley Library, I learned a thing or two about Emory’s rich history. I bet you don’t know what pushball is (and if you do, then you don’t have to click on the link).

And who can forget the post about my celebrity meet-and-greet with the great Third Eye Blind? I hope you all could sense my clammy hands as you read about my encounter with lyricist legend, Stephan Jenkins (He’s a blogger, too.).

Next up, I got to attend my very first poetry reading featuring Emory alumna Stacey Lynn Brown 92C and her Southern poetry. Even better, I interviewed her by phone. It’s all true what they say about that Southern charm.

I gave you all a nice run down about Founders’ Week back at the beginning of the spring semester and then came my favorite blogging time of year: Dooley’s Week. From a classy Emory tasting to maniacal mobs fighting for t-shirts to funnyman Kevin Nealon, blogging about the week was almost better than the week itself … well, not quite, but I did get to relish in the spirit (Get it? Dooley’s spirit!) all over again in the blogosphere.

When people ask me where I work, I say the alumni association and they say, “Oh, the Telefund?” Then I respond with “I’m the communications assistant, so I get to write articles, copy edit, and blog.” Then they respond with a “Hey, that’s pretty cool.” But they don’t know the half of it.

I think the real value of working at the alumni association is the almost subconscious ability to know and recite random Emory facts. I also get to find out early on about what prestigious visitors will be coming to campus and what interesting events will be occurring. And I get to share that with all of you.

This summer, I’ll be located in the outskirts of the South, far away from Georgia, in the state with the biggest everything. Yup, you guessed it: Texas. Austin, TX to be exact, and I’ll be working as an intern for the Austin American Statesman.

Now, I know that Dooley can’t come with me, but don’t fret. When I get Emory-sick, I’ll take a look at Eaavesdropping and check up on you fine alumni. Until September, have a great summer!

-- Lindsey Bomnin 12C, communications assistant, EAA

Thursday, March 25, 2010

The grass is greener during Dooley's Week

Wednesday was the start of Dooley's Week's three-day-streak of famous people on campus. Last night, Kevin Nealon, a Saturday Night Live (SNL) vet and "Doug" on the TV show Weeds, graced the Emory population with his presence at Glenn Auditorium.

His stand-up act began with some signature lines and segments from his former acts, like "Now, hear me out" and "Hey boss." You can see those on youtube.com or on the Kevin Nealon link on yesterday's post. He got up on Glenn's two pulpits and related the railing to feeling like he was on a boat. He even referenced the ever-popular Emory student haunt, Maggie's Neighborhood Bar and Grill (how did he know?).

Toward the end, he included a spontaneous (at least, I thought it was) dating game-esque talk show with a student couple in the front row ... he definitely had fun with that, and so did the girl whom he asked to make a commercial break noise. He got some good ole hearty laughs echoing high and low from the auditorium and ended with a bang that you had to be there to understand.

The real treat came after when the Student Programming Council (SPC) and the SPC VIPs had a meet-and-greet with Nealon. As is expected of a comedian, he was a funny guy. He asked us how old we all were, and when we responded with a chorus of 18 through 21, he told us he was old. To prove it, he told us to stay really quiet, while he bent his knees. When they popped, he let out a variant of the "I-told-you-so."

One SPC member asked him to come to Maggie's tonight, but he turned down the invitation, not wanting to be that "creepy, old guy." It's too bad, because he would've been the creepy, old, famous guy...

...maybe we'll try our hand with Kid Cudi tonight at 7 p.m. on McDonough Field.

-- Lindsey Bomnin 12C, EAA communications assistant

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

FREE T-SHIRTS (Dooley's Week, Day 3)

The Dooley's Week t-shirts were so popular that we couldn't even snag a picture of one. So here's a little video that the Student Programming Council (SPC) put together, featuring Dooley and his Entourage.

Next to free food, Emory students will do almost anything for t-shirts, especially during Dooley's Week. This year's shirts glow in the dark ... did you hear that? They glow in the dark! And simultaneously complement the space theme. (Remember to hold up your t-shirt to the light to "charge" it.)

A few hours ago, Dooley's Week Wonderful Wednesday was in full force with a moon bounce, Dippin' Dots ice cream, and a scavenger hunt with six iPod prizes. But the only question I kept getting was, "When are you going to give out the t-shirts?"

One senior came up to me with her sob story about never getting a Dooley's Week t-shirt, but she was determined to make her last year the year she would get one.

Twenty minutes later, the mob in front of the tables was getting anxious, and then, suddenly, emerging from a box and flying through the air came the first t-shirt of the day! SPC members present (including myself) threw those rolled bundles of joy to bright-eyed students until the three boxes of shirts were empty.

Don't fret, we had three more catapulting rounds of t-shirts. I kept hearing my name coming from friends, acquaintances, and strangers (yes, that's right) in the crowd, all hoping to get a t-shirt. I utilized the backwards lob throw to keep it fair. Still, I think I made both new friends (and enemies) today.

We also provided neon green, Ray Ban-ripoff sunglasses and drinking cups with the Dooley's Week design on them. The sunglasses went first, and sadly, the cups were like the last kid to the be chosen in PE class.

Many were leftover.

If you're still shirtless (that is, without a Dooley's Week t-shirt), come to Kevin Nealon's stand-up performance tonight at Glenn Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for those with tickets. You can get a ticket at the DUC Information Desk (An inside source tells me, we just got 300 more). And remember, the earlier you get there tonight, the more likely you'll get a t-shirt.

Now, wear those t-shirts with some Dooley pride and come on out to the week's remaining events, and if you don't have one, I think you can still get a cup.

--Lindsey Bomnin 12C, EAA communications assistant

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

A Taste of Emory

Dooley's Week kicked off yesterday with its first event, the second annual Taste of Emory, in the Goizueta Business School Courtyard, and I could not be any happier for it be over.

I say this because I, along with my brilliant co-chair Daniel Chapman 11B, have been planning this event with the Student Programming Council (SPC) since last November. You could say the Taste of Emory (photo above by Alle Fuller 13C, The Emory Wheel) is equivalent to a small child who's now over 18 (or 21, depending on how you look at it) and no longer needs me or Danny.

Although the weather was not exactly ideal, the rain's efforts to dampen the mood failed. Never underestimate college students' desire for free food. We had about 1,000 attendees coming through the event and it showed in those lines. Eleven local restaurants, including oldies and newbies to the event, brought out their portable ovens and grills to feed the always-hungry Emory students.

Despite feeling like a chicken running around without my head (not a good thing at a food-related event), I got to savor the local grub. The Iberian Pig cooked up the most delicious Spanish "albondigas," or meatballs. Fritti rolled in with their huge portable, wood-burning oven that baked fresh dough and toppings to perfection. And Figo, my personal go-to dinner spot, served a creamy butternut squash ravioli.

Other restaurants that attended included Maddio's Pizza, Doc Chey's, Emory Dining/Goodfriend, Jagger's Pizza, Mac McGee's Irish Pub, Artuzzi's, Wonderful World Burgers & More, and Zaya.

And my tasting-sized meal was DJ-ed by the musical stylings of Dooley Noted, No Strings Attached, and the up-and-coming Shadowboxers.

When 7:00 p.m. rolled around and most of the restaurants were packed up or gone, the straggling attendees and all of SPC, including myself, enjoyed boxes and boxes of extra pizza. One would say it was too much pizza, but I would disagree.

Enjoy the rest of Dooley's Week and if you are in town, come out to Trivia Night at Cox Hall Ballroom tonight at 8:30 p.m.! You can click here to see SPC's website for more events to come this week.

-- Lindsey Bomnin 12C, EAA communications assistant

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Do you remember when...

I started in 1953 and made my way to 1989. Only a few were missing, but I still got quite the gist--that is, of Emory's growth. And the growth of its students' hair.

An EAA project allowed me to peruse through The Campus, Emory's yearbook. It was originally called The Zodiac. It debuted back in 1893 and was discontinued in 1993. The EAA has copies at the Miller-Ward Alumni House's Schley Library. Alumni and students are welcome to view them.

Looking through these books, I realized that Emory is soaked in traditions long-practiced and well-respected. I discovered the origins and the faces of names I've seen around campus, engraved on plaques, bricks, and on building walls. Names like Goizueta, Winship, Woodruff, and Dobbs, you know, the big guys.

But what really piqued my interest was campus life, which back then, was a mix of the year-round staples we know today and a few things I'd love to see come back.

Dooley's Week, or Dooley's Frolics as it was known back in the 1950s and 1960s, seemed far more wild. Dooley sported a water gun, tormenting students and professors. However, students fought back by chasing the poor sack of bones. One year, students chased down a helicopter that Dooley was arriving in, but they realized it was only a decoy after a skeleton dummy was thrown out of the window. During that week, each fraternity would create a scene from history and act it out on their front lawns. ATO's rendition of the Alamo recieved an honorable mention.

Emory used to have a Fall Festival, a kind of welcome-back bazaar on campus where students bought and sold items, like clothes and shoes. This later evolved into the Fall Fiesta, which looks like the equivalent of our Fall Band Party (Don't forget: it's this Saturday, featuring Third Eye Blind).

Emory also used to hold an annual residence hall pizza-eating and beer-drinking contest. I'm sure most guys on campus wouldn't mind bringing this one back.

When Emory's administration decided to reseed the Quadrangle in 1976, students took the liberty of planting corn, beans, and other vegetables, complete with a makeshift scarecrow staked in the ground. The administration wasn't too happy.

We even had a Miss Emory pageant, the winner of which would be featured on the first double page spread of the yearbook. Runner-ups followed, but they were only allotted one or a half page each.

One constant throughout Emory's history is the presence of Coke. You'd think it should flow freely from all the water fountains on campus by now.

There's a lot of history in those books and a lot of traditions that are now history. I propose to bring a few of these back, maybe even the yearbook itself.

--Lindsey Bomnin 12C, communications assistant, EAA