arts

Wildcat Picks of the Week: Aug. 28-Sept. 3

Ava Garcia

August 28, 2017

Hotel Congress, located downtown on the corner of Toole Avenue and Congress Street, will be hosting HOCO Fest starting Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017.

It’s the second week back at school, and although demanding classes may start to take over your life, that doesn’t mean the good times of summer have to stop. While settling into the routine of the school year, here are some fun events to check out.

UA Night with the Diamondbacks

If you happen to be in Phoenix this Wednesday evening, check out UA Night with the Diamondbacks. Before the game, UA President Dr. Robert Robbins will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Arizona Diamondbacks game at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 on Chase Field. Within the baseline reserve area, tickets are $25 per seat. Tickets include a UA/Diamondbacks t-shirt.

Open Mic at the UA Poetry Center

For those interested in poetry, the UA Poetry Center is holding its monthly Open Mic event on Saturday, Sept. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Poetry Center’s Hillman Odeum. The event, hosted by the Poetry Center Docents, will allow each event attendee to have an opportunity to share a poem by another author or by themselves.

HOCO Fest

HOCO Fest, a festival at Hotel Congress that features musicians, workshops, yoga and a vinyl record fair, will kick off this Wednesday, Aug. 30 and continue until Sunday, Sept. 3. A variety of musicians, from Tommy Wright III to the Mexican Institute of Sound, will perform during the festival. Tickets range from $15 for a regular day ticket to $125 for a VIP day ticket. For more information about musicians playing or to buy tickets, check out Hotel Congress’s website.

Friday Laser Light Music show

The UA Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium will host its Friday Laser Light Music show this week on Sept. 1. This month’s show will feature Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, which combines music and sounds with a laser art show. The show will start at 9 p.m. Admission to the planetarium is $12 for students with their student ID. For more information, please visit the Flandrau website.

Bear Down Fridays

This Friday, Sept. 1 marks the first Bear Down Friday of the year. The festivities start 4 p.m. at Main Gate Square with radio stations, giveaways and appearances by Wilbur and Wilma. At 6 p.m., the Pride of Arizona, UA Cheer, UA Poms and Twirlers and Flags will all take part in a pep rally to cheer on the Wildcats. This event is free.