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| Amina Goheer Concerts Director seeconcerts@umd.edu |
As Art
Attack celebrates its last year of youth (next year Art Attack turns the big
3-0), let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. The year was 1984 and Ronald
Reagan was still president. His presidency inspired only the greatest things,
like the Apple Macintosh and Art Attack (both introduced in the same year). Art
Attack I featured Dr. George Ross, KYAG World Premier Music, Stuart Gordon,
Improvisations Unlimited and Lithuanian Dance Gabija. If none of those names
sound familiar, it’s because Art Attack started out as a small festival
centered on student art and design, with a sprinkling of local and student
musical acts. From 1984 to 2000 (with the exception of 1989 and 1990), Art
Attack took place on McKeldin Mall. As the years passed by and Art Attack received
more funding, SEE was able to bring in larger acts. Joan Jett, George Clinton, The
Fugees and The Roots all passed through the Mall.
And then
Y2K happened. Art Attack that year was entitled “AAXVII: Everyone on the Mall,”
and, boy, did that title come to life. Bloodhound Gang and Outkast performed
together, bringing out almost 20,000 students to McKeldin Mall (if you haven’t
seen the awesome picture of that crowd, then sneak into the SEE office, fight
your way past our aggressive Office Manager and steal a glance at the picture
mounted on the wall). Bloodhound
Gang’s performance not only brought out droves of spectators, but also packs of
protestors who took offense at the group’s sexist and racist lyrics. Four
arrests and three hospitals trips convinced campus administrators that Art
Attack couldn’t continue on the Mall, where there was no way to properly
protect and organize the crowd. As a result, Art Attack was relocated to its
new home, Byrd Stadium.
Since then, Art Attack has featured guest names like Common, Wyclef Jean, All-American Rejects, Nelly, Weezer, Ludacris and this year, B.o.B. Art Attack may no longer be on the Mall but we can still embrace the great University of Maryland pastime. Can't wait to SEE you there.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.umdtickets.com.
Since then, Art Attack has featured guest names like Common, Wyclef Jean, All-American Rejects, Nelly, Weezer, Ludacris and this year, B.o.B. Art Attack may no longer be on the Mall but we can still embrace the great University of Maryland pastime. Can't wait to SEE you there.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.umdtickets.com.
