Louis Louis 2006, coordinated by Student Events in partnership with multiple other groups on campus, began this week and continues through Monday November 13. Included in the six-day celebration are a variety of events. The festivities began on Wednesday with the Louis Louis kickoff on Rabb Steps, and then continued with Adagios Dancefest and the Positive Foundations Coffeehouse that evening. The events culminate on Monday with the official celebration of Brandeis 150th birthday, a speech by Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice Margaret Marshall, and the unveiling of an Andy Warhol painting of Justice Brandeis.
My general approach was to get as much of the campus involved in things that reach every type of person, said Sarah Klein 08, Assistant Director of Social Events, which is the department of Student Events that plans Louis Louis during the fall semester and Bronstein Week in the spring.
In addition to Student Events, Adagio, Positive Foundations, the Student Union, and The Brandeis Orthodox Organization were involved in planning the weeks events.
The different groups bring something very different to the mix, said Klein. I come from the Student Union, and there was this idea that Student Events was very insular. I dont see it that way. We bring things that are fun for everybody.
Reinstated for this semester is the SuperScrew dance, formerly known as Screw Your Roommate, where the intent is to set ones roommate up on a blind date.
We brought Screw back for people who like dancing, added Klein, but we also have Thirsty Thursday at the Stein, which is chill, relaxed, not a party scene, for people who just want to sit and have a beer before going home.
Assistant Director of Student Activities Sarah Bordeleau, the liaison between Student Events and Student Activities, was also pleased with the number of clubs working alongside Student Events.
I think this year Student Events worked really hard to collaborate with other groups, said Bordeleau. [The Student Events staff] are fantastic and are some of the hardest working people on campus.
The Louis Louis celebration typically falls on the week of Justice Brandeis birthday, and the event was initially meant as a way of honoring the universitys namesake.
It started to commemorate Louis Brandeis, said Bordeleau, and we decorate campus, get school spirit going.
I think there is more of an emphasis on Brandeis this year, due to the birthday, added Director of Student Activities Stephanie Grimes. Its a celebration of Louis Brandeis and what he means to this university.
The theme of this years celebration is Super Louis, which Klein stated was in honor of Brandeis 150th birthday. The manifestation of this theme can be spotted in the various superhero depictions on campus, including an inflatable Spiderman that was hanging from the Shapiro Campus Center balcony.
I think its a fantastic theme, added Bordeleau. It fits really well with the whole birthday thing.