Just as Parents Weekend is a tradition at Ohio University, so is the weekend after when students don’t have to chauffeur mom and dad around. Instead, they could spend their energy at one of the many shows, festivals and sporting events taking place over the weekend.
Two festival-like events are happening this weekend, although they do not have much crossover: Riverfest II ft. Soulja Boy and the annual Athens Area Fiber Faire. Riverfest II will be held at the River Gate Apartments featuring several DJs and performers, including Soulja Boy whose mantra-heavy hit “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” stirred up the feet of a generation. Tickets to the festival cost $20 and are available online or at The Shack on Court Street.
The third annual Athens Area Fiber Faire, where focus rests more on hands instead of feet, offers an opportunity to purchase fiber-related products like yarn and attend several classes in the “fiber art” scheduled over two days at the Athens Community Center.
If students are looking for music this weekend, they’re especially in luck if fans of metal or hip-hop.
Watch Them Rot, Beyond the Abyss, T.F.U. and Monocle will play in the Casa Cantina at 10 p.m. on Friday. On the other side of town, Athens rock band Druid will perform at The Smiling Skull Saloon at 9 p.m. on Saturday. Both shows will have a $3 cover charge.
Mission Man, a hip hop artist from Oxford, will perform an “upbeat and dancey” set at Donkey Coffee & Espresso this Saturday at 8 p.m. with Hong Kong Rubber Bands opening. In addition, DJ plate a shrimp will be cutting “old school, true school and golden era hip hop” in a live mix at Strictly Hip Hop held in the Casa Cantina at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
OU’s Stage Door Series will present two shows this weekend. Country-twinged rockers 3 Girls Rock Into A Bar will play at 8 p.m. on Friday and Diana Chittester & The Summoners will give an acoustic performance at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Both events will be held in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. The former costs is $10 while the latter is $5 in advance and $7 at the door.
Sporting events are light this weekend as both the football and volleyball team are playing away games. However, Ohio Hockey will play Kent State at 7:30 on Friday and again on Saturday at Bird Arena. Ohio Women’s Soccer also has a few matches this weekend: one against Western Michigan at 4 p.m. on Friday and another against Northern Illinois University at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
If You Go:
What: Watch Them Rot, Beyond the Abyss, Monocle, T.F.U.
Where: Casa Nueva, 4 W. State St.
When: 10 p.m., Friday
Admission: $3 cover
There will likely be shredding at Casa Nueva on Friday. The restaurant is hosting four bands that play in the styles of metal, punk and alternative rock. Athens metal outfit Watch Them Rot, West Virginia’s metal visitors Beyond the Abyss, Athens punk group T.F.U. and Dayton-based alternative rock band Monocle will take the stage Saturday in the Casa Cantina. There’s a $3 cover charge. The show is 18 years and older.
If You Go:
What: Mission Man (Hip-hop), Hong Kong Rubber Bands
Where: Donkey Coffee & Espresso, 17 W. Washington St.
When: 8 p.m.
Admission: $5 cover
Mission Man will take the stage at Donkey Coffee this Saturday night. Mission Man, a moniker taken by rapper Gary Milholland in 1996, performs upbeat hip hop songs such as “Extra” and “Love, Funk and Soul.” Milholland often plays those two songs in sequence. He said they make for a “good transition, are upbeat and try to make you smile.” Hong Kong Rubber Bands will open for Milholland.
“I loved rapping ever since I started,” he said. “Making an impact on people’s lives still gives me purpose.”
Mission Man’s shows are usually upbeat and dancey but he said he might incorporate some slower numbers this Saturday.
If You Go:
What: Athens Area Fiber Faire
Where: Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St.
When: 10 a.m., Saturday; 12 p.m., Sunday
Admission: Classes are $10 to $30
This Saturday and Sunday, the Athens Community Center will host the third Annual Fiber Faire. The faire presents an opportunity to learn about and purchase fiber-based products such as yarn, roving and other supplies. According to organizers, the event is held in the support of “fiber arts” including knitting, crocheting and weaving in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Some classes at the faire include “Yarn Voyage for Knitting and Design” and “The Versatile Mitered Square.” The cost classes range from $10 to $30 but the majority are $20.
A full schedule of classes, along with a list of vendors, can be found on the event’s website.
