On Nov. 11, while many students confined themselves to the common room of Olin Library to study for pre-Thanksgiving exams, a handful opted to attend Duke Day, West College’s annual daylong music festival. Duke Day features student and guest bands alike, as well as arts and crafts booths. The festival ran from noon to 5 p.m.
Duke Day is traditionally held outside in the WestCo courtyard, allowing attendees to enjoy the last days of autumn sunshine. This year, however, due to forecasted inclement weather, bands and booths moved indoors to the WestCo Café. Despite the change in venue, students’ reactions to the festival remained as positive as they have been during past festivals, if not moreso.
“It was better inside because it was more contained and the decorations appeared more innovative and mysterious,” said Milla Bell-Hart ’10. “Also, when indoors, it had a particular place and a particular goal.”
The Café, which is already adorned with students’ graffiti, was spruced up for Duke Day with balloons, colored streamers, and Halloween props. The lights were dimmed and focused on the musical performers.
Although five groups were originally scheduled to play this year, two bands cancelled at the last minute. Still, music offerings were varied, ranging in styles from noisy country rock, to didgeridoos and drums, to “rock opera,” to a jazz trio. Nick Marshall ’10 described the music as “pretty awesome.”
Max Horwich ’08 played guitar and sang for the group Psychedelic Combat. Horwich had played at the Duke Day Festival two years ago and felt that, despite the different vibe that the indoors venue created, the same energy and passion for music could still be felt.
“It was interesting playing in the Café,” he said. “It was more contained, and you could really feel the fun and get [that] loose, be-weird mentality. I think that’s the whole point of Duke Day, to hang out and forget about everything. And then to wander into Weshop and wonder why everyone is staring at you.”
Attendees could also tie-dye and spray paint tee shirts and participate in painting an old beat-up Volkswagen van.
“I think they did a pretty good job bridging the gap between inside and outside by integrating the music with the crafts this year,” Horwich said. “The Mamoun’s truck was also there, which was great.”
Though the turnout to Duke Day this year was not as large as past years, students who attended hailed the day as a success.
“It certainly wasn’t a mob scene, but there were more than enough attendees,” Marshall said.
Each year, Duke Day is organized and sponsored by WestCo residents. Marshall described the event as a community effort that helps to integrate the inter-dorm community.
“As part of the WestCo community, I really enjoyed helping to put Duke Day together,” he said. “It was great how we not only got a few acts from inside the community to play, but also that everyone pitched in to make flyers, put them up, and help set up the event.”
When asked if they had any recommendations for next year’s Duke Day, most students thought that things should remain the same—even the new venue.
“Just keep the music as varied, add more glitter and more streamers, and I’m there!” Bell-Hart said.
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