RUPA has provided me with many opportunities to plan and execute fun and creative events for the Rutgers University community. One of these events is the smaller kick-off concert held in the beginning of each semester by the Concerts and Coffeehouses committee. As a member of this committee I was in charge of running specific portions of the event, and while this can sometimes be a little stressful, the overall excitement and energy of the student concert-goers makes a world of difference. This semester’s concert included The Maine and Secondhand Serenade, both throwback bands made popular in middle school. As a fan of both bands in my pre-teen days, I was never given the option to see them in concert. This is one reason why, when discussing who to bring for the concert, I was very ecstatic to hear that two of my previous favorite artists, were available. However, preparing for their arrival can sometimes be very tricky. Most artists and performers come along with a set of food, drinks, and more that they wish for before a performance. So for nearly every concert, we must make a list of what they ask for, and go out and find such items. Although this can sometimes be tricky, like when someone asks for dates with the pits still inside, it is often the most fun part about preparing for a concert. And the day of, one can get very creative when it comes to rearranging the items in a fashion that would seem most appealing to the artists. No matter what we are asked to buy, hosting concerts is definitely one of the most fulfilling experiences on RUPA- knowing that I provided other students with the same excitement that I felt during the event. I love that RUPA provides me with the opportunity to share in the ‘fangirl’ experience along with other members of the student body. I really enjoy the extra experience I get in planning a concert all the way to enjoying it during the event.
— Stephany Mensah-Narh, Assistant Director of Concerts and Coffeehouses