Contact: Sammy McDavid
Mississippi State welcomes back its fall semester student body with a series of food- and music-laced events spread over three nights preceding the start of Aug. 18 classes.
"Dawg Daze 2004" begins on the 15th with a 6-9 p.m. "Welcome to MSU Block Party and Barbecue" for freshmen and transfer students in the open area along Magruder Street bounded by Cresswell, Hathorn and Rice residence halls. Popular Starkville acoustic guitarist and singer Bill Cooke will perform for the newest members of the MSU family.
On the 16th, the 8:30-11 p.m. "Movie and Pizza Night on the Drill Field" is open to both new and returning students. Pappa John's Pizza of Starkville will provide free slices for audience members watching the new Warner Bros.' epic "Troy," which stars Brad Pitt, a wooden horse and a cast of thousands.
The campus hospitality program concludes 7-11 p.m. on the 17th with a two-band concert at the amphitheater, also for all MSU students. Performing will be:
--The Patrick Smith Band for the first two hours. Billing itself as "South Mississippi's most popular band," the six-man group blends funk, groove, piano boogie, and "straight-up rock."
--Drivin' n' Cryin' for the concluding two-hour set. Since forming in Atlanta during the 1980s, the widely traveled "grassroots" trio has built a loyal Southeast following with its collection of original country/alternative rock tunes.
Dawg Daze events are sponsored by MSU's Division of Student Affairs. In addition to Papa John's Pizza, this year's co-sponsors include the MSU Bookstore and the university's technology services office.
For additional information, contact Bryan Nesbit at (662) 325-3076 or Bryan Nesbit.