Out of Class Learning
January 15, 2010
Martin Luther King Jr. Concert
- This wasn’t an event that I initially had even heard of. Luckily someone in the class was in a performance, so it was brought up in class. The venue wasn’t packed to its capacity but there was a semi-large turnout. I’m not exactly sure how well the event was publicized, which is a shame. It really was a well put on event. It began with a video interview with people expressing their thoughts, ideas and how they remembered life being with segregation so deeply rooted in society in the 1960’s. They really emphasized how much of an impact it played on everyday normal things. The videographer interviewed both black and white people. The change of pace between video interviews and musical renditions seemed to captivate and sustain the attention of the audience, more so than if they focused too much on one over the other. The person operating the audio and visual equipment seemed to be right on the money, providing smooth transitions in between the interviews and performances.
- While this wasn’t a big event, I think the niche that it filled was very important. It brought people of many different backgrounds out, and gave them a real sense of how things have changed in less than 50 years.
January 28, 2010
Wizard of Oz
- For me, this was a very interesting performance. I had never before seen the ‘Wizard of Oz’ in its entirety –in a film or live production. I was very curious as to what I would see. Thankfully, the performance did not disappoint. Everything seemed to be right on point right down to the minutest detail. I don’t recall seeing any type of show of this magnitude in person previously. The stage set up and removal was very quick and precise. The costumes were intricate and resembled what is expected to be seen on a movie set. The production company even incorporated a real dog cast as ‘Toto’. What was of great interest to me with regard to this course though, was the amount that showed in attendance. There weren’t too many empty seats at all. The logistics behind getting everyone seated (including the many children in attendance), must’ve taken a long time, but it was definitely done in a quick, calculated manner. The intermission period seemed a bit abrupt, but well timed as it appeared that some seated around me were becoming fidgety. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this show.
March 16, 2010
Student Athlete Academic Banquet
- I attended this banquet with two very distinct perspectives. On one hand, it felt good to be honored for maintaining my grades as a student-athlete. On the other hand, this was the first banquet that I attended after learning about special events. As such, things that I learned in class seemed to be a little more noticeable. For example, branding played a rather big part in the whole event. The Ball State school logo was on the program, podium and many other places. There was no doubt that this was a function put on by Ball State. Aside from that, there were many other things that hit on things that we talked about in class. Everything from the vision statement (the underlying goal and theme to the event) to the labor costs (the hired help) was highlighted throughout.
March 20, 2010
Muncie Gras
- Muncie Gras was an atypical event that I attended this semester. I didn’t think that I’d want to go, let alone be able to, but in the end I was coaxed into it. I’m really glad that I did. Aside from the low temperatures experienced by all, I really had a good time. After Cheryl Crowder spoke to our class about the time and effort put into the event each year, it was neat to see it all unfold and work out positively for Downtown Muncie. Logistically, there were a lot of people. This meant that there had to be a police presence to deter any wrongdoers. I’m not sure how profitable the event was this year, but I know for a fact that it could be more profitable in the future. Unfortunately, people were passing off their wristlets that allowed others to get in free of charge. It is very hard to determine if someone actually paid to get in, if all they have to show is a band around their wrist that could easily have been manipulated and given to someone else. Aside from that, things seemed to flow well. The different tent themes were a nice touch. I got there a bit late so I missed most of the shows and performances, but from what I heard they were well put on. The large standing heaters were a necessity as many braved the cold to attend. Muncie Gras showed me a new side of Muncie, one that I think can be expanded on greatly. With people spearheading the cause like Cheryl Crowder, I see no reason as to why this can’t be one of the biggest and best events put on in Muncie annually.
Martin Luther King Jr. Concert
- This wasn’t an event that I initially had even heard of. Luckily someone in the class was in a performance, so it was brought up in class. The venue wasn’t packed to its capacity but there was a semi-large turnout. I’m not exactly sure how well the event was publicized, which is a shame. It really was a well put on event. It began with a video interview with people expressing their thoughts, ideas and how they remembered life being with segregation so deeply rooted in society in the 1960’s. They really emphasized how much of an impact it played on everyday normal things. The videographer interviewed both black and white people. The change of pace between video interviews and musical renditions seemed to captivate and sustain the attention of the audience, more so than if they focused too much on one over the other. The person operating the audio and visual equipment seemed to be right on the money, providing smooth transitions in between the interviews and performances.
- While this wasn’t a big event, I think the niche that it filled was very important. It brought people of many different backgrounds out, and gave them a real sense of how things have changed in less than 50 years.
January 28, 2010
Wizard of Oz
- For me, this was a very interesting performance. I had never before seen the ‘Wizard of Oz’ in its entirety –in a film or live production. I was very curious as to what I would see. Thankfully, the performance did not disappoint. Everything seemed to be right on point right down to the minutest detail. I don’t recall seeing any type of show of this magnitude in person previously. The stage set up and removal was very quick and precise. The costumes were intricate and resembled what is expected to be seen on a movie set. The production company even incorporated a real dog cast as ‘Toto’. What was of great interest to me with regard to this course though, was the amount that showed in attendance. There weren’t too many empty seats at all. The logistics behind getting everyone seated (including the many children in attendance), must’ve taken a long time, but it was definitely done in a quick, calculated manner. The intermission period seemed a bit abrupt, but well timed as it appeared that some seated around me were becoming fidgety. Overall though, I thoroughly enjoyed this show.
March 16, 2010
Student Athlete Academic Banquet
- I attended this banquet with two very distinct perspectives. On one hand, it felt good to be honored for maintaining my grades as a student-athlete. On the other hand, this was the first banquet that I attended after learning about special events. As such, things that I learned in class seemed to be a little more noticeable. For example, branding played a rather big part in the whole event. The Ball State school logo was on the program, podium and many other places. There was no doubt that this was a function put on by Ball State. Aside from that, there were many other things that hit on things that we talked about in class. Everything from the vision statement (the underlying goal and theme to the event) to the labor costs (the hired help) was highlighted throughout.
March 20, 2010
Muncie Gras
- Muncie Gras was an atypical event that I attended this semester. I didn’t think that I’d want to go, let alone be able to, but in the end I was coaxed into it. I’m really glad that I did. Aside from the low temperatures experienced by all, I really had a good time. After Cheryl Crowder spoke to our class about the time and effort put into the event each year, it was neat to see it all unfold and work out positively for Downtown Muncie. Logistically, there were a lot of people. This meant that there had to be a police presence to deter any wrongdoers. I’m not sure how profitable the event was this year, but I know for a fact that it could be more profitable in the future. Unfortunately, people were passing off their wristlets that allowed others to get in free of charge. It is very hard to determine if someone actually paid to get in, if all they have to show is a band around their wrist that could easily have been manipulated and given to someone else. Aside from that, things seemed to flow well. The different tent themes were a nice touch. I got there a bit late so I missed most of the shows and performances, but from what I heard they were well put on. The large standing heaters were a necessity as many braved the cold to attend. Muncie Gras showed me a new side of Muncie, one that I think can be expanded on greatly. With people spearheading the cause like Cheryl Crowder, I see no reason as to why this can’t be one of the biggest and best events put on in Muncie annually.
