UPC to provide variety of events to finish out semester

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Jordan Rusche, Lifestyles Editor (She/her)

With only six weeks left of the spring 2021 semester, students looking for a way to spend their free time can turn to the calendar of talks, demonstrations and other fun activities that the University Program Council has planned up until finals week.

The program has already hosted a handful of events this semester, including Grocery Bingo in January and a movie showing of “17 Again” in February. The most recent event, a concert with acapella R&B band Kazual, took place last Saturday.

Abby Mikel, president of UPC, said she and the other event coordinators have been busy working to promote events on social media more this semester, and have begun tabling in the Union again.

“It’s kind of different too, now that we’re getting back into warmer weather, so it’s exciting to know we can do things outside,” she said.

Here’s a look at the upcoming events UPC is sponsoring throughout the rest of the semester. Zoom links for most events can be found on UPC’s page on Jacks Club Hub and social media platforms.

Understanding and Undoing Implicit Bias

At 2 p.m., March 31 in Jack’s Place and over Zoom, Hugh Vasquez, a speaker on diversity and equity, will be educating students on the mechanisms that produce bias to “create an understanding of actions people can take to counteract negative race associations that lead to negative consequences for people of color.”

The interactive presentation will feature different activities, videos and discussions to demonstrate how implicit biases form and what students can do to combat them.

An Evening with Antoni Porowski

Porowski, one of the stars of Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” will be hosting a cooking demonstration over Zoom at 7 p.m., April 6, followed by a moderated Q&A session. Tickets for the event cost $5 for SDSU students and $10 for the public. Tickets can be purchased online, with a link on Jacks Club Hub. Guests will also have to register for the webinar to receive the Zoom link and password. Information on how to do so will be included in the ticket confirmation email.

Ethan Zohn Lecture

Ethan Zohn, a cancer survivor, CBS “Survivor” winner and motivational speaker, will be giving a lecture titled “Isolation Survival Guide” at 7 p.m., April 8 in the Volstorff Ballroom and over Zoom.

This presentation is meant to help students deal with the effects of isolation and how to overcome anxiety, be productive and more during quarantine. There will also be a scavenger hunt held via UPC’s social media platforms that students can take part in for a chance to win a gift card prior to this event.

“Having someone like Ethan come to speak to our campus will be something really special and hopefully motivate people to finish out these last few months of the [schoo] year,” said Michaela Neyers, the graphics coordinator for UPC who oversees this event.

BSA/UPC Fashion Show: Culture with a Cause

The Black Student Alliance’s annual fashion show is at 7 p.m., April 9 at Jack’s Place. This event offers students an opportunity to show off their culture through fashion, with this year’s theme being “90s Era.” Students can buy presale tickets for $5 at the Multicultural Center or at the door for $7. Students can also attend by bringing a packaged or canned food item to the event to be donated.

Those who wish to participate in the fashion show can sign up by April 5 either individually or as a couple. Participation prizes will be given out, as well.

Laser Tag

Outdoor laser tag will be held from 4-7 p.m., April 15 on the college green. This event is put on with help from Laser Trooper, a company based out of Topeka, Kansas. Students are asked to sign up for the event on Jacks Club Hub ahead of time. Refreshments will also be provided.

Central Park Bubbles

Made famous from social media, an event in partnership with Central Park Bubbles will be held from 5-7 p.m., April 21 in the Hobo Day Plaza outside the Union. Students who stop by will have the chance to try their hand at making giant bubbles using large, specially made wands.

“It’s happening like a week or so before finals week, too, so it’s just a fun thing we want people to do while they’re passing into the Union,” Mikel said about the event.

State-A-Thon Drive-In Movie

UPC is teaming up with State-A-Thon to host another drive-in movie event April 23, the day before the State-A-Thon dance marathon, in Lot 153 directly south of the Performing Arts Center. UPC held a similar event last October showing “Hocus Pocus.” Mikel said no movie for this semester’s event has been decided yet, but students should expect a “feel-good” movie. Chairs will be available for students without cars who still want to attend.

May Day Music Festival

April 30 marks the annual May Day Festival in partnership with KSDJ from 5-8 p.m. on the Sylvan Green, weather permitting. The festival features local artists, including SDSU student artists. Hayden Woods is set to open the festival with a set DJing, and headlining will be Sioux Falls “indie dream pop” band Tenebaums. In addition to live music, there will be food trucks, yard games and giveaways at the event.