Music

Singer-songwriter Andy Grammer headlines Mason Day 2013

If you’ve tuned into the radio at all these past few months, you’ve most likely heard of singer-songwriter Andy Grammer. With his popular, catchy songs such as “Keep Your Head Up” and “Fine By Me,” Grammer is headlining at this year’s Mason Day. Grammer's music is reminiscent of acts such as Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz.

Mason Day concludes a week’s worth of events that celebrates the end of another school year at George Mason University. Setup in the Patriot Center’s parking lot, Mason Day marks it’s 48th year and includes carnival rides and activities, and will be held on Friday, April 26 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Q&A with Mason alumnus turned composer, Vinny Oppido

Los Angeles-based composer Vinny Oppido has a lot to boast since graduating from George Mason University in 2010. This past weekend, Oppido returned to Mason to perform with the American Festival Pops Orchestra alongside its conductor and Mason professor, Anthony Maiello.

Oppido recently worked on composing the music fo this year's Academy Awards and has had original works performed by the likes of Broadway legend Brian Stokes Mitchell. 

Top five spring music releases (thus far)

Connect2Mason reporter, and music enthusiast, Cameron Shuler takes a look at 2013's spring music releases. Ranging from the much anticipated album by Vampire Weekend and Justin Timberlake's newest release, you'll find something that suits your musical ears.

Q&A with The Last Bison front man Ben Hardesty

You might have missed the release of Chesapeake, Va.-based band The Last Bison’s album “Inheritance,” but it hasn’t gone unnoticed by others. With an album released in early March, this seven-piece folk band performed all across the country this year and was part of a star-studded line-up at the annual SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas.

Top 5 Weekend Picks March 28

Every week Connect2Mason will offer five entertainment picks for your weekend. Ranging from on-campus to off-campus events, Connect2Mason's Top 5 will give you a jump start on your weekend. Here are the Top 5 picks for this weekend:

2013 Dance Concert Gala brings back Mason graduate

This weekend George Mason University will host the 2013 Mason Dance Company Gala Concert. The Gala is a two-day event, taking place on Friday, March 22 and Saturday March 23 at Mason’s Center for the Arts.

This is the 17th year that the Gala will be presented by the School of Dance. It is a culmination of several months of hard work and planning on the part of the choreographers, performers and instructors that participate in the performances.

Mason's Swing Dance Club brings a slice of the past

If you’ve walked by the dance studio in the Johnson Center on any given Tuesday or Thursday night, you may have heard the sounds of jazz music blaring from the room. If you investigated a little more, you may have seen the fast-paced dancing by students of the Swing Dance Club having some fun. 

Grammy-winning soprano Leona Mitchelll visits Mason

As someone who has had a rather shaky introduction to opera, I have since fallen in love with it.  Not because I know how difficult it is to hit that C sharp in the middle of an aria, but because the stories wrapped within the music are reflective of the feelings humans go through each day. Instead of telling the audience through a monologue of a character’s emotions, they are sung with such empathy that  literally makes one quake in their seat. Without realizing it, you are swept up and all language barriers are forgotten.

Top 5 Weekend Picks February 28

Every week Connect2Mason will offer five entertainment picks for your weekend. Ranging from on-campus to off-campus events, Connect2Mason's Top 5 will give you a jump start on your weekend. Here are the Top 5 picks for this weekend:

1. Les Miserables OSI Premiere Event
When: Saturday, March 28 at 9 p.m.
Where: Johnson Center Cinema
Price: Free with a valid Mason ID

Top 5 weekend picks February 22

Every week Connect2Mason will offer five entertainment picks for your weekend. Ranging from on-campus to off-campus events, Connect2Mason's Top 5 will give you a jump start on your weekend. Here are the Top 5 picks for this weekend: