Melanie Baker

Recently, the American Marketing Association recognized Alfred students belonging to SOMA, or Students of Marketing at Alfred University, during a week-long trip to New Orleans, Louisiana in mid-April.

SOMA received awards for outstanding membership and community service. The organization’s AMA Saves Lives Organ Donation awareness event was also commended with accolades. Junior Jessica Marble was awarded the esteemed title of AMA Student Marketer of the Year.

It’s mid-April again and we all know what that means. Whether you’re a student at Alfred University or Alfred State or a community local, you’re probably gearing up for this year’s Hot Dog Day.

Hot Dog Day, which is actually a three-day extravaganza, is a time for music, comedy, grilled meats and general fun-loving recreation in what we hope will be prime spring weather. So, if you’re already planning on attending the hilarious comedy of Kevin Hart and the sweet, covered hooks of Fleetwood Macked, we’ve got the rundown of everything else to keep you busy during this event-packed weekend.

The Artstream Nomadic Gallery Tour passed through Alfred on April 7 and 8 at the Cohen Center Gallery during its 2010 trip around the country.

The gallery itself was a piece of art – a re-modeled 1967 Airstream Sovereign land yacht. Founders of the Artstream Nomadic Gallery transformed the vehicle in 2001 into a transportable, stylish and quaint art space.

The mission of Artstream is to get studio pottery out on the street where more people can experience the art.

ROCHESTER, NY -- Alfred University’s Women’s Softball team kicked off their 2010 season with a pair of conference games this past weekend.

Alfred played against Nazareth College and beat out their team with scores of (7-2) and (4-0).

Sophomore utility and captain Molly Shepherd (Camillus, NY/ West Genesee) remarked that this year’s Saxons are an “overall strong team.” Shepherd noted how her team stuck together and played with impressive energy and determination.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler was performed on March 26 in Holmes Auditorium with the talent and hard work of 17 Alfred University students.

The production was put on in conjunction with the Women’s Issues Coalition – an organization on campus that strives to bring awareness and give a platform to prominent women’s issues in our world.

Up-and-coming band Timber Timbre will perform in the Knight Club on Saturday, April 10 at 10 p.m.

The band, which formed in 2005 and hails from Canada aims to let genres like blues, country and folk come together and also fall into the background, allowing for the mood of the music to take over their audiences.

Taylor Kirk provides the soothing and powerful vocals for the band as well as playing guitar and bass drum. Timber Timbre gets more of it’s unique sound from the lapsteel and autoharp played by Simon Trottier. Assisting the beautiful melodies is Mika Posen on violin.

The 2010 Alfred Literary Festival, hosted by the Division of English and the Writing Center, will take place March 25-27 with various events across campus.

The festival returns after much popularity and a great response from the AU community and residents of the surrounding area. This year, the event will showcase the works of two visiting authors and one Alfred professor.

Spectrum, AU’s Gay-Straight Alliance organization, will be hosting its annual Spring Glam Slam event on Mar. 19 in the Knight Club.

The festivities will include dancing, music, student performances and a professional drag show. The drag performers, including five queens and one king, all come from Tilt Night Club in Rochester, NY.

The theme of the event is Lady Gaga in Candy Wonderland, an all-encompassing title promising flashy décor, outrageous performances and a wide array of music, including the popular, dance-worthy tracks of Lady Gaga.