The warm weather and the fact that every other college in America is on summer vacation can only mean one thing: Green Key Weekend is upon us. So forget schoolwork and get ready to embrace almost everything about this groovy oasis that blesses Hanover each spring.
It's no secret that Dartmouth kids play just as hard as they work, and Green Key is the rage-y equivalent to the senior thesis, which, by the way, we all hope you've finished in time for the festivities, because there's going to be nary a chance to hit the books amidst the upcoming merrymaking.
As every good weekend should, Green Key weekends kicks off with a hard-hitting, action-packed (and culturally enlightening) Friday afternoon. Around this time of the term, nobody waits till sundown to party anymore, so make sure you get out there early to check out the opening events of the weekend.
Bands and barbeques will dominate the afternoon scene, as the 2004 Class Council presents a combination of the two on the Gold Coast lawn, while the Phi Delta Alpha fraternity Block Party will bring music and food to Webster Avenue. The Gold Coast Band/Barbecue runs from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., while the Phi Delta Alpha fraternity Block Party lasts from 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
After the grills have cooled off, the partying moves indoors as Psi Upsilon, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kappa Kappa Kappa and Alpha Theta fraternities all host a variety of parties. Psi U welcomes back Rock Kandy, an '80s cover band that has rocked Green Key for the past several years. Cranking out hits from Bon Jovi, White Snake, Def Leppard, and other classic artists, the band starts at 11:30 p.m. and is sure to knock your intentionally-ripped jeans off.
If modern music is more your style, check out Sig Ep's Battles and Beats, which runs from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. and features Reaction Speaks, as well as freestyle and break-dancing competitions. For those of you who with a penchant for dance parties, Tri-Kap presents Club Kappa from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Meanwhile, the '70s are in full swing at the Cutter-Shabazz Hall basement and The Tabard coed fraternity, with their '70s-meet-2004 and Disco Inferno parties, respectively. Alpha Theta rounds out the Friday night schedule with its Seven Deadly Sins party from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The action continues on Saturday kicking off at 12 p.m. with Alpha Delta fraternity's annual Lawn Party, which runs till 5 p.m. and features an outdoor band.
The first-ever Festival of Humanity, which will have a variety of music and dance events on the Green and Collis Center porch will run from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The festival will also feature a free day-long barbeque as well as a silent auction fundraiser for Dartmouth Habitat for Humanity.
Saturday night features the Green Key Step Show 2004 in Leede Arena beginning at 8 p.m. For those of you still looking to satisfy your '80s craving, Sigma Nu fraternity's Early 80s party runs from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Of course, what would a big Dartmouth weekend be without a little Dartmouth history and culture involved? To get one of the best views of our beloved campus, be sure to take advantage of the Baker Bell Tower Visits on Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Also, edify yourself with a discussion on Dartmouth tradition on Friday at 6 p.m. in the 1930s Room in Rockefeller Center.
As always, have a safe and enjoyable Green Key, and don't forget what this weekend really signifies.
