Too cool for shoes

Thursday, April 21, four days before the last official day of classes, ECU students will put down the books and pull out the picnic blankets. Pants will be rolled up and the grass mall area of campus will be filled up with ECU students who just want to relax and have a little fun, and the Student Union will give it to them. Barefoot on the Mall will return for the 26th time from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Thursday in front of the central campus dorms.

The theme this year is "ECU Gets Twisted" and as usual the event will bring an array of musical acts and fun novelties. Inflatable games and novelty amusements like vertical bungee and boxing will be back from previous years. 30 student organizations will be involved in the event, from all over campus. The event is all about having fun before exams and students will be able to play games, win prizes and get some food in a laid back atmosphere.

The fun at the event is larger than life, literally. Huge blow-up novelties dot the landscape, and there are games all over the place for people to enjoy. It's another opportunity for many little-known student organizations to get noticed and give away stuff. Often student organizations are popular at Barefoot if they're giving away something especially good.

The performers at Barefoot aren't your typical crooners, either. Big-name bands such as Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Widespread Panic, Edwin McCain (with a band at the time) and Weekend Excursion have taken the stage at Barefoot before hitting it big, so the event promises to showcase what's hot in music. This year will be no exception, as a host of up-and-coming groups are set to take the stage.

The opening act at noon will be The Capulets, winners of this year's Battle of the Bands. Devon Sproule, a folk singer/songwriter, will follow at 12:30 p.m. Devon has been a national performer since the age of 16 and has toured with bands like Guster, David Gray and the Dave Matthews Band. The mid-lining group is Little Brother, a North Carolina based hip-hop trio. Citizen Cope, an urban blues songwriter whose album "The Clarence Greenwood Recording" was chosen as one of the best of 2004 by NPR, will be the headliner act. Between acts, Wellness Education will sponsor a side stage where spoken word competitions and step shows will fill the breaks between performances with a theme of HIV/AIDS awareness.

If you're a freshman or have never experienced Barefoot on the Mall before, you are in for a very special treat.

"Come out, bring a blanket and some friends, and just relax," said Katie Daniel, a senior theater major.

Katie has been involved with Barefoot for three years, this year serving as the Barefoot committee chair. Katie's major advice to students is to get in line early for giveaways because lines get very long by the middle of the afternoon, and you can get in line more than once if you don't win the first time around.

"Bring a blanket to sit on and some water to drink, walk around and get free giveaways and have a photo keychain picture taken. Bring your dog if you have one, but put him on a leash. Everyone always has a good time."

If you have a class during the day Thursday, don't fret. The event is six hours long to give everyone time to get out and enjoy the day, or stay all day if you're in the mood to kick back.

One of the greatest things about Barefoot is the overall theme. With the end of classes and the crunch of final exams just around the corner, the event lets everyone take a few hours off and enjoy the spring and enjoy a free afternoon of quality music. There's always a lot to take home, too.

Whether you go to blow off some steam, listen to some good music, hang out with friends or take home some freebies, throw your books on the floor and go enjoy an ECU tradition that promises to rock your socks off.