At first glance, they might resemble large student spring events from a decade ago. Look closer and they're really not, confirms student activities center director George Micalone. The student organization Cyclone Carnival is planning a seven-hour event of the same name near Jack Trice Stadium in conjunction with the April 14 spring football game. And the Student Union Board (SUB) is organizing a Sunday afternoon/evening outdoor concert the following weekend on the north side of campus. The only link -- and that's by coincidence -- is that Micalone advises both student groups.
The events have evolved over the last four years in the void of the former Veishea celebration, which was discontinued in 2014. Their concepts received approval last fall from university leaders.
SUB outdoor concert
"Student Union Board plans concerts," Micalone said. "Student Government allocated the money for this concert to SUB in November because they're the concert-planning organization. Including the Maintenance Shop, they're organizing 45 concerts a year."
That number includes four to eight big concerts annually in larger venues such as the Memorial Union Great Hall, Hansen Center and Hilton Coliseum. For example, SUB booked musicians Dustin Lynch (October 2015 and 2017), Dan + Shay (April 2016), Sam Hunt (March 2015) and comedian Kevin Hart (October 2015).
"Last spring, SUB organized a show in Hilton (by pop band DNCE); this year, we're just moving it outside," he said, adding that most universities hold outdoor concerts.
The hip-hop and electronic dance music (EDM) music genres featured April 22 are best enjoyed outdoors, Micalone explained.
"It's the preferred environment for a show like that," he said.
The concert will be held in parking lots 28 and 29 on Sunday, April 22. Gates open at 3 p.m., the first of four acts begins at 4 p.m. and the concert will conclude by 9 p.m. The lots, which will remain in service through business hours Friday, will be cleaned up Sunday night after the concert and back in use Monday morning. The stage will face south toward the Metals Development Building, selected because it's shorter and sound reverberation will be lessened.
Micalone said concert details were selected intentionally for the least impact on Ames neighborhoods regarding sound levels and the campus community regarding parking lot access.
The headliner is hip-hop artist Fetty Wap. He'll be preceded by opening act and R&B artist Andreas Moss, hip-hop artist Kyle and EDM band Cheat Codes.
Micalone said up to 12,000 tickets could be sold. Tickets are $49 for the public and $25 for ISU students if purchased prior by April 14 ($35 after that date). Burgers, brats and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
Cyclone Carnival
The former Cyclone Market, organized by Student Government to offer student clubs a fundraising opportunity, had its launch in fall 2014 at campustown's Dinkey Days, and followed with several spring versions since -- most recently in the Iowa State Center lots. It built on the community atmosphere of the spring football game, Micalone said.
The new Cyclone Carnival student organization stepped it up this spring, adding carnival rides for kids and adults, a bungee trampoline, student performance/activity stage, food trucks and free activities for kids.
Cyclone Carnival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 14 in Iowa State Center lots B6 and C6. Admission is free, but most rides and food items will have a price.
All are welcome, whether or not you're attending the 1 p.m. football scrimmage at Jack Trice Stadium, Micalone said.
