The Collegian

Issue date: 5/9/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Melanie Linney Pepper rocked out for an extra hour during Gaelstock to cheers of encore. They truly enjoyed playing for Saint Mary's students, claiming that Gaels were the first crowd to be more intoxicated than they, and asked students for requests to return next year.

Media Credit: Melanie Linney Students like Craig Thompson '08 played in the bounce houses as music blasted across the field.

Media Credit: Melanie Linney On Saturday, Pepper claimed, "You guys are probably the first crowd we've ever played for that are more f***ed up than we are."

Many students gathered on Saturday May 6, 2006, for the annual Gaelstock put on by Program Board. It was a sunny day as people were wearing shorts and flip flops while walking throughout the Athletic Practice Field. However, Ian Cook '08 was spotted througout the scene in The Elf costume.

Adding to the festivities were jump houses, a dunk tank, a volleyball court, mazes, slides, and other entertaining activities surrounding the grass area. There was also a beer and hot dog garden for students over 21. Food like hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, brownies, and pizza were also being sold. In addition, there was free water and PowerAde so that students would not get dehydrated. Students enjoyed jumping onto and sticking to a Velcro wall as the bands Blackalicious, Pepper, High Like Five, and singer Tyrone Wells performed.

All of these Gaelstock recreations took many months to plan. Lauren Vandam '08, a member of Program Board said, "The verbal planning started in January and we set up for the event at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. The best thing is getting everyone together and there are activities for everyone." The students working at Gaelstock, marked by their black t-shirts that read, "Event Staff," did a good job planning and organizing this jamboree for fellow Gaels.

A part of this plan was that the opening band at Gaelstock would be the winner of last weekend's Battle of the Bands. The winning band, High Like Five, which included students Nick Carr '06, Darius Moghadam '06, Hector Zaragoza '08, and Danny Wecks '08 opened the show with two songs. Students screamed for more of their music as more students entered the field.

Mercedes Matthews '09 said she came to Gaelstock "because my roommate made me" and that "it's better now that more people are coming." More students came to the fest as the hours wore on. Liz Johnson '07 said, "I decided to come to spend time with my senior friends who are graduating and it's like the biggest event of the year." This is one of the seniors' last events with the Saint Mary's student population.

Blackalicious performed second and rapped for the audience. Students waved their hands in the air as the lead rapper yelled, "Put'em up, put'em up, touch the sky. Blackalicious in the house." Students rocked to the beat of his lyrics. He free-styled about the town of Moraga while the students cheered to his words.

Folk singer Tyrone Wells sang next as the crowd cheered him on.

Alum and Single Subject Credential grad student, Stephanie Roybal '05 said, "Gaelstock is a tradition. I've worked on it as a member of Program Board for a few years. I wanted to go as a spectator this year. Program Board works hard on it every year." She was going to "show some support for the members." Students of all sorts attended the event and for different reasons. Mark Gilson '07 said, "I came to help my class with beer and hot dogs in the beer garden." Gilson who volunteered his time liked seeing "all the people having a good time, smiles, and the happy atmosphere."

The final band to perform was Pepper. As they stepped on stage, students began to relax and lounge on the grass. Pepper played an extra hour encore. Gaelstock was a success as the event came to an end.

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