By Robin Koning
The folks behind Busking For Smiles want to pick your pockets, but for a good cause, of course.
From March 11–13, the club plans to turn MacEwan Hall into Thrift Store, a carnival-style celebration of campus talent and recycled clothing. Students can expect an explosive mix of events including live musical performances, the release of student-directed and produced films, an art sale, arcade games and a "vendor’s marketplace," selling everything from CDs to jewelry.
"The event is going to be hard not to come to," promises BFS President Steve Bleile. "The diversity of talent that will be at Thrift Store is really phenomenal."
Bleile speaks from experience. From song sessions in the hallways of Science Theatres to to the sold-out Unplugged series, BFS always puts on a great show and Thrift Store should be no exception.
"It’s a fantastic idea," says Student’s Union Vice-President Events Chris Kerr. "Thrift Store is a carnival, minus the fair ground rides. I haven’t heard about anything like it."
As Thrift Store co-sponsors, the SU added their Wired Wednesday performances to the event’s line-up. The event is the result of BFS’ goal to create opportunities for students to develop and show off their talents. It highlights what campus-wide student involvement can achieve.
"Thrift Store is definitely the biggest thing BFS has ever done," says Bleile.
That said, BFS is certainly not doing this alone.
"The participation of clubs like the Communications Students Association and the Art Student’s Society has been crucial.
"A lot of times clubs just do their own thing. [Here], clubs are interacting, helping with the events, in advertising [and] stage setup."
Students at large can also involve themselves by donating clothes at a drop-off spot both in the south courtyard of MacEwan Student Centre, and at BFS’ "happy thoughts booths" in MSC and Science Theatres. At the booth, students can write uplifting messages to each other, and receive them in return.
The money raised from selling the recycled clothes will be used to establish a BFS scholarship, administered through the University of Calgary. The scholarship will help active students on campus who are in need.
"[It’s] essentially about students helping students," Clubs Committee Chair Kirstyn Nay says, applauding the "peripheral vision" behind the event. True to BFS tradition, Bleile just wants to see the crowds at Thrift Store smiling more than anything else.
"[Hopefully] students walk away with some nice $2 jeans and maybe just the thought that, ‘hey, I did something on campus.’"