by Kris Fronzak, News Editor
A talent showcase of massive proportions is invading campus at the end of the month.
The Cavalry Carnival will house a multitude of different artists, businesses and music acts from Wooster and beyond. The best part? It’s free for students ó only an online RSVP is required. The carnival will take place on April 30 from 1-8 p.m. in the Kennedy parking lots on the northeastern side of campus.
The event was first conceived to feature local and student entrepreneurship, explained Patryk Tenorio ’11, a Producer/DJ and English major here at the College.
Tenorio, who has performed various shows over the past few years, first thought of putting on the Carnival while attending the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas. He ran the idea past his label, Cavalry Records, and received enthusiastic feedback. Tenorio then presented the idea to the Entrepreneurship Club, who funded the initial venture, providing him with most of the money needed to book one of the musical acts.
“After that, I took all my experience and worked my ass off to come back with a super jacked-up business plan,” said Tenorio. His second round of funding was approved, and the Center for Entrepreneurship agreed to back the event soon afterward.
The Carnival expanded rapidly after the initial stages of planning. It now includes nine up-and-coming musical acts, along with products and services from a host of small businesses originating in downtown Wooster. Most recently, the Community Art Connection (CAC) joined forces with the Carnival, adding their “Leonardo Da Vinci” event in the hope of connecting with the College community through art.
“No one is a side event here — everyone is sharing the spotlight,” Tenorio explained.
“We want people to understand that there is more to this campus than iTunes and drinking on Friday and Saturday nights. There is so much more to experience, even in a small town like Wooster,” explained Jordan O’Boyle ’11, a program coordinator and Tenorio’s manager. “And the town tends to get behind new ideas.”
Program coordinator Liz Sakach ’11 agreed, pointing out that Wooster is a highly creative and innovative for such a small town ó a fact often ignored by many students. Sakach hopes the Carnival will display “the spirit of entrepreneurship from around campus and the community and highlight talents in the Midwest.”
“We’re called The College of Wooster; not ëthe college next to some city.’ We name ourselves after a city the administration barely associates with on any mutually beneficial level,” O’Boyle stated.
Students can expect to see everything from inflatables to† giant Twister to Italian ices, exotic foods, a massage therapist, a Mona Lisa “face-in-hole” and possibly even a slip ën slide.
“We’re trying to provide an environment in which students can appreciate the hard work that goes on behind the scenes,” Tenorio said, adding that “We want to remove the barriers that keep people from connecting.”
The non-profit event is organized entirely by students.Most businesses are providing services at a discounted rate or donating a portion of their profits, which will be returned to the Center for Entrepreneurship to fund future endeavors.
For security purposes, the Carnival will be RSVP-only. Students and guests receive a wristband upon entering the main gate, which will allow attendees to enter and exit at will.
Upon RSVPing, a sampler of music from the performing artists will be free to download. Any campus businesses and artists are encouraged to lend their products and skills to the carnival. E-mail PTenorio11@wooster.edu if interested.
An estimated 1,000-1,500 people are expected to attend the event, which is being advertised around campus and online. You can register now at www.cavalryrecords.com/carnivalrsvp.