Catch up on Summer!

I looked at my calendar today and almost had a heart attack! The 4th of July is peeking its head around the corner, which means summer is almost halfway over! But Summer at Northrop isn't about to be lost in the bustle of summer. We started off the series on June 11 with one of our revamped evening concerts featuring The Alarmists - who knew our Summer at Northrop gang loved us so much that they would troop out in questionable weather (the rain did hold off, thankfully!) to give us a record number of students at a show?

And while these rainy days are great for our Minnesota green, it made us a little worried for our kick-off party with Romantica on June 14. Our supporters showed up in droves to listen to the loveable, spunky Irish-Americana twang (although free Jimmy John's and UDS ice cream probably didn't hurt!). Congrats to those lucky folks who won one of our awesome prizes, with the iPod Touch topping our list!

Maria Isa, one of our biggest headliners, graced us with her sassy Sota-Rico presence (a combo of her Puerto Rican and Minnesotan roots) for another Friday evening performance on June 18. Again, record student attendance, people! And you can't say we don't take care of you, what with all the free Qdoba that night. What else have we been listening to? An unprecedented 15 minute Led Zeppelin medley by Twin Star Rocket, the hip-tingling antics of our very own Elvis, and the foot-tapping, ballroom dancing effects of the Minnesota Sinfonia with conductor Jay Fishman.

So if you haven't made it a point to stop by our concerts yet, now's your chance. We're almost halfway through the 24 concerts, and are only getting more excited with upcoming shows like Alpha Centauri and The New Riverside Ramblers. Print out a schedule for your fridge or desk, grab lunch at the UDS Grill, and don't forget that the U of M Farmer's Market on Church Street starts up July 7 - yet another bonus to lunchtime by the Plaza. Start your weekend off right with our last two Friday evening shows of the summer, Charanga Tropical (FREE Qdoba while supplies last) and Alison Scott. Refreshments and drinks available for purchase at evening shows as well. See you there, folks.

- Melissa Wray,Northrop Marketing Intern and U of M Student