Webster Avenue was unrecognizable on July 19. The usual quiet sidewalks and parked bikes were replaced with laughter, thumping bass and a crowd of Dartmouth students, locals and visiting families reveling in the glorious chaos of Dartmouth Streetfest during Family Weekend.
Running from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Streetfest is an annual summer tradition that transforms the heart of Dartmouth’s campus into a walkable, danceable, deeply Hanoverian block party. A wide range of Dartmouth performance groups premiered their new sophomore members, who temporarily fill the groups while year-round members are away.
Behind the scenes, Phi Delta Alpha fraternity took on organizing responsibilities with a clear mission: to blend fun with philanthropy. The fraternity raised money by selling food and all the proceeds went to The Upper Valley Haven, which provides essential services across the Upper Valley, according to the Explore Hanover webpage.
“We started about four months ago planning it because there were so many pieces involved,” Ahron Springer ’27, a Phi Delta member who helped lead the event, said. “… I love how everyone is buying into this event.”
Every hour, there was something to see or dance to. Shebalite, the summer version of the Dartmouth dance group Sheba, hit the pavement in white t-shirts marked with fraternity letters drawn with make-up. Their routine was fast, funny and full of spirit: just the kind of performance that gets people on their feet and their phones out to record.
The Dartmouth Summer Sings — the summer version of a capella group The Sings — made an appearance singing pop songs like “Good Luck Babe” by Chappell Roan.
“With the Sings, it was one of the first times that I sang any pop song in front of anybody,” Claire Mann ’27 said. “I’d never seen that many people ever show up to an a cappella performance before, and it felt pretty liberating to be singing outside.”
Raazberry, the summer version of the South Asian fusion dance team Raaz, followed with a striking performance to music by Drake. Dressed all in white, they mixed classical moves with hip-hop grooves, delivering a jaw-dropping routine that blurred genres and got the crowd cheering.
Ujimelt, the summer version of the dance group Ujima, also brought a bold and colorful performance to the stage.
Ujimelt member Aren Carlson ’27 emphasized the power of the “collective energy” present at the event.
“It’s been so cool to see everyone from the community coming out and supporting their friends, [and] even seeing people in dance groups who you wouldn’t usually expect to see just absolutely killing it,” Carlson said.
The improv group Casual Thursday also took the stage with their signature laid-back style and infectious energy.
According to Casual Thursday member Luke Hilborn ’27, Streetfest was the group’s first performance of the term.
“There was a lot of uncertainty going into it, but we accepted that we were going to have fun with it, and that’s exactly what we did,” he said.
Later, in a moment that felt like something out of a feel-good movie, The Doms — the summer version of the a capella group the Dartmouth Subtleties — stepped up with a cover of ABBA’s “Mamma Mia” that quickly turned into a full-on singalong. Students clapped and swayed; a toddler in a balloon crown yelled the chorus. It was weird, joyful and unmistakably Dartmouth.
