Derulo Headlines Spring Concert

By Thomas Gillen
Assistant A&E Editor

This year’s annual Spring Fling concert featuring Jason Derulo will be held on Thursday, April 21 at 8 p.m. in the Tilles Center. Derulo, whose music is a mix of pop, hip-hop, and R&B, is expected to attract an audience of between 1,700 and 2,000 students, according to Michael Berthel, Director of Campus Life. Past Spring Fling artists have included Kesha in 2015, Big Sean and Jhené Aiko in 2014, and Miguel in 2013.

The concert is just one of many events during Spring Fling week, according to Akeem Victor, a senior broadcasting major and president of the Student Activities Board. On Monday, April 18, there will be a manhunt game; on Tuesday, April 19, a murder mystery dinner will be held in the Great Hall; on Wednesday, April 20, Riggs-Pocalypse in Riggs Hall and on Friday, April 22, there will be a cookout on the Quad Lawn. Events being planned for Saturday and Sunday will be announced in late March, according to Victor.

Riggs-Pocalypse is a simulated zombie attack in Riggs Hall. Participants will be chased by zombies throughout the building with only a nerf gun to protect themselves. If zombies are shot with a nerf gun, they have to freeze for five seconds. The goal is for participants to reach a common room on the second floor of Riggs and pick up a phone in the safe zone. Participants also have two flags attached to them and will lose when both flags are gone.

“The Student Activities Board and office of Campus Life go through an extensive process to select an artist each year. The artist unveiling took place on Wednesday, February 27 and we have received very positive feedback about Jason Derulo,” according to Berthel.

Jason Derulo released his latest album, “Everything is 4,” in June of 2015 and has also been a judge on “So You Think You Can Dance.” “We are excited to host Jason Derulo in April and continue our tradition of bringing nationally recognized artists to campus,” Berthel said.

Derulo may not be performing alone at in the Spring Fling concert, as Victor stated that Post is still looking for possible opening acts for him. Two years ago, Jhené Aiko opened for Big Sean. As with previous Spring Fling performers, the Student Activities Board and Campus Life considered several artists to headline this year’s concert. “It was a difficult decision. We released a survey via social media and asked the student body who they would like to see perform for our concert,” Victor said. “We gathered the data and made a list from most voted to least voted. Jason Derulo was one of the top artists on the list and [he] accepted our bid.” Other artists were asked to perform at the concert before Jason Derulo, but were unable to due to scheduling conflicts.

Nicole Balnis, a senior psychology major, is looking forward to the concert, but would’ve preferred another artist to perform. “I think it’s going to be an awesome concert, unfortunately I work at the Campus Concierge every year during Spring Fling so I won’t be able to go. Jason Derulo wouldn’t be my first choice because I mostly listen to classic rock music but I do think he’ll put on a great show.”

Tickets for Spring Fling can be purchased at the Tilles Center Box Office starting Monday, March 14. Students may purchase up to two tickets for $15 each. The box office is open from 1-6 p.m.