Fun week on tap

Three big events – Spring Blowout, the talent show and DeStress Fest – will bring energy and entertainment (or maybe a sense of calm) to campus next week, helping to end the semester on a positive note. 

The annual Spring Blowout, hosted by the Student Alumni Association (SAA), will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Games will include an obstacle course, sumo wrestling, a bungee run and hungry hippos.

There also will be an opportunity for the 2017 senior class to paint the rock before graduating.

The blowout will take place at a new location this year, Kassab Mall.

Senior Annie Segal is looking forward to having a good time.

“We usually host it around the fountain, and I think the change of location will be fun,” said Segal. “I also am excited because it’s my last one and it’s remained so successful over the past three years that I’ve been a part of it, so I’m hoping to see it continue to be a fun campus event for students.”

SAA co-chair Zachary Sand hoped to see more students.

There will be plenty of food: walking tacos, chicken wings, popcorn, snow cones, warm pretzels and cotton candy.

“I’m looking forward to seeing a mass of students come out to participate in the fun events we picked out and enjoy the atmosphere at UDM,” said sophomore Justin Elsesser.

The talent show is always an exciting time.

Students are able to show off their musical talents in front of four judges and an audience, and possibly go home with a cash prize.

Hosted by the Student Programming Board (SPB), the show will be held on Friday, April 21, at 7 p.m. in the Fountain Lounge. (Auditions will take place in Grounds Coffeehaus on Thursday, April 13, 1-2 p.m.

In order to win, you must be a full-time student at Detroit Mercy. The grand prize will be $500, second prize $300, third prize $150 and fourth prize $75.

“We are excited to find out who will take the grand prize,” said Imari Smith, president of SPB. “This year, SPB is planning on having a lot more interaction with the crowd, as we will be giving out different prizes – mainly gift cards – throughout the event.”

The host will be UDM’s own JayLane.

“We like to tell students or parents that this is a great opportunity to get your money back from all of the singing and music lessons that they’ve done in the past,” said Adam Hollmann, assistant director of student life programming.

SPB vice president Blair White is planning to have a great time.

“I look forward to the talent show each year because I believe the students put on a great show,” said White. “I also believe that it is an exciting event where people step out of their comfort zone and sing or dance in front of a hundred people for the first time.”

Of course, the end of semester brings myriad projects and exams, and that’s where the DeStress Fest comes into play.

It will take place on Thursday, April 20, 5-8 p.m., in and around the Fitness Center.

The event is free to all students, and they will receive five raffle tickets upon entry.

DeStress Fest is a collaboration of University Recreation, ResLife, Athletics, Student Affairs, the Student Health Center, the bookstore and University Ministries.

Some of the main attractions will be therapy dogs, nitrogen ice cream, a tie-dying station, bubble soccer, a Titan combine, coloring, crafts and more.

A surprise announcement about a secret activity will be made the week of DeStress Fest.

There also will be opportunities to win prizes through a raffle.

Last year, DeStress Fest offered over $3,500 worth of prizes.

“I am just looking forward to providing a great event for the students to not think about finals and blow off some steam,” said Matthew Higley, assistant manager of the student fitness center.