Alumni Relations Samantha Goldstein Blog Editor Pearl Cadigan Assistant Blog Coordinators Katie Ferreira, Rachel Cramer, Izzy Newirth, Ava Council, Anika Nararin

T RSI Y U E N V I I O

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U 2019 2020

L R U E M T T N E I L NEWS table of contents meet the team 1 year in review 4 letter from the president 5 letter from the vice president 7 concerts 9 performing arts 11 cinemas 13 collaborations 14 marketing 15 social media 15 design 16 production 16 stay in touch! 17 meet the team

Board of Directors: President Anna Simone Vice President Lauren Crimmins Concerts Director (fall) Layne Lindroth Concerts Co-Directors (spring) Slater Ward-Diorio, Genna Batson Performing Arts Director (fall) Michael Larkin Performing Arts Director (spring) Alexa Powers Cinemas Co-Directors Sarah Goldberg, Emma Cogan Collaborations Co-Directors Laura Higbee, Andy Torres-Lopez Marketing Director Julia Scaglione Marketing Co-Directors (spring) Michael Bottazzi, Matthew Ricciardi Public Relations Director (fall) Mackenzie Glaubitz Public Relations Director (spring) Annelise Hackett Social Media Director (fall) Alyssa Loffredo Social Media Director (spring) Mackenzie Glaubitz Design Co-Directors (fall) Livia Jones, Sloane Sexton Design Co-Directors (spring) Abant Berke, Livia Jones Production Director (fall) Danial Khan Production Director (spring) Katie Reahl

1 meet the team cinemas: Film Series Coordinators Molly Gross, Beck Patrone, Chenhui (Peipei) Liu Collab Liason Cody Norman Marketing Liason Diana Kofman collaborations: Entertainment Research Specialist Juliette Milber Brand Partnerships Research Specialist Zachary Simon Technology Research Specialist Quinn Blackburn Silent Disco Specialist Jace Rodrigues Marketing Liason Avani Singh Inner-Org Liason Sophie Penn Outer-Org Liason Kiana Papin

Concerts: Mayfest Co-Directors Yanis Konate, Lexi Carey Research Director Noa Getzug External Research Director Kayla Covington Research Team Joe Cohn, Izzi Zegers, Mo Morris, Brandon Ferrante Administrative Assistant Sydney Panzer Marketing Creative Liason Nylla Davis

Design: Designers Zora Willet, Dasha Bychkova, Nina Bridges, Matthew Kamimoto

Marketing: Administrative Assistant Alex Mayeri Internal Outreach Landyn Esham Surrounding College Outreach Sarah Nunley Syracuse Community Outreach Sami Miller, Chris Appello

2 Performing arts: Production Coordinator Emily Sodergren Production Assistant Rachel Simon Marketing Liason Erin Manion Research Assistants Luke Berdinger, Elizabeth Stuart Inner-Org Liason Ava Giardino External Outreach Jackson Siporin

PRoduction: Production Team Maya Pow, Kate Diament, Alana Swaringen, Mia Angioletti, Siyu (Tiffany) Zhong, Carlos Magdeleno

Public relations: Assistant Mira Fleschman On-Campus Outreach/Alumni Relations Samantha Goldstein Blog Editor Pearl Cadigan Assistant Blog Coordinators Katie Ferreira, Rachel Cramer, Izzy Newirth, Ava Council, Anika Nararin

Social media: Social Media Team Liv Herz, Makena Lincoln, Kevin Ludy, Emma Ellis, Maxine (Muxin) Chi

Advisors: Cateatra Mallard, Tim Johnson, Dave Sargalski

2020-2021 Board of directors: President Slater Ward-Diorio Vice President Alexa Powers Cinemas Co-Directors Molly Gross, Beck Patrone Collaborations Co-Directors Juliette Milber, Sophie Penn, Quinn Blackburn Concerts Co-Directors Layne Lindroth, Michael Bottazzi Design Director Abant Berke Marketing Co-Directors Matthew Ricciardi, Mira Fleschman Perofming Arts Co-Directors Emily Sodergren, Michael Larkin Public Relations Director Annelise Hackett Productions Director Danial Khan Social Media Director Mackenzie Glaubitz 3 this year in review

President Anna Simone Board Members 57 Directors 22 General Members 56

CONCERTS: Juice Jam 21 Savage, EarthGang, FLETCHER, Mt. Joy, Kilo Kish Bandersnatch Koffee, Duckwrth, Troyce Pitones King Princess Digital Programming Kaytranada Digital Programming

Performing aRTS: A Night of Comedy: Michael Che, with Traditions Commission Cipha Sounds, and Rosebud Baker Ryan O’Connell with the LGBT Resource Center and Disability Cultural Center; dedicated to Remembrance Week A Conversation with Jonathan Van Digital Programming Ness, moderated by Michelle Buteau

CINEMAS: Captain Marvel Hustlers Late Night Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Detective Pikachu Knives Out Rocketman Harriet Booksmart Joker Yesterday Knock Down the House Men in Black: International International Women’s Day The Lion King Screening with Oxfam at SU Spiderman: Far From Home Bombshell Hitsville: The Making of Motown Perks of Being a Wallflower - Netflix Party Exclusive Screening with 1824 Always Be My Maybe - Netflix Party Us Murder Mystery - Netflix Party Midsommar Someone Great - Netflix Party Toy Story 4 Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse - Netflix Party It: Chapter 2 The Hangover - Netflix Party 4 letter from the president Lauren Crimmins and I faced was to establish a sense of community within an organization that lost lifelong friendships to 1:00 a.m. Juice Jam emergencies and comedy show poster parties. We organization as accessible and representative as possible, and I believe we achieved just that.

Juice Jam 2019 featured a lineup of incredible artists. Each set by 21 Savage, EarthGang, FLETCHER, Mt. Joy and Kilo Kish was completely unique and students were able to experience delightful welcome back to campus after summer.

graced the Goldstein Auditorium stage. This robust lineup welcomed DJ and comedian Cipha Live’s Michael Che.

Our next event was Bandersnatch featuring headliner Koffee, Duckwrth as direct support and history to headline a concert and students danced her choreo well into the weekend.

Special, Ryan O’Connell. This event was a partnership with Syracuse University’s LGBT Resource We were thrilled to work with these underserved campus resources. I hope to see important

Our fall semester was front-loaded, but we knew Block Party planning had to start earlier than usual since the Carrier Dome was going to be under construction during the Spring 2020 semester. college experience. But, just as Block Party offers were being sent, Performing Arts contracts turning. In March, we were told the rest of the semester would be held online and all events would be cancelled due to COVID-19. Of course, we were not alone in this. Everything from Coachella to Broadway shows have been cancelled or postponed, but the sad reality was that these events were meant to culminate four years of hard work for so many dedicated UU seniors.

our own organization, some deserving closure, joy and entertainment. Jonathan Van Ness and beautiful vocals and a hilarious DJ’s on the Hill shoutout, and Kaytranada turned banana bread- organization of resilient leaders who did not take “no” or “cancelled” for an answer.

5 Thank you to Lauren Crimmins for pushing this organization to systematically improve the way we operate. You have both personally and professionally helped me become a better leader and human. Although our last UU moments were shared via FaceTime, I am so incredibly proud of how we overcame this year’s challenges.

digital programming. All of the alumni comments on our Instagram announcements, livestream commentary and personal texts and emails never go unnoticed.

On a personal note, I hope you are all staying safe and sane in your corner of the world. It is a scary time to be someone who lives for the magic of live events. But, I am excited and humbled to be entering this incredible alumni network made up of people who I know feel similarly.

Finally, in lieu of the classic Block Party t-shirt, we are running a t-shirt fundraiser and all proceeds will be equally split between the MusiCares Coronavirus Relief Fund, to help music creators and professionals who have been left without work, and the Central New York COVID-19 Community Support Fund, to help the local Syracuse community during these unprecedented times. If you are able, we would greatly appreciate your purchase. More information can be found here.

ANNA SIMONE

6 letter from the vice president

We say it every year, but the 2019-2020 academic year proved that there is never a dull moment within University Union. With both Schine and the Dome under renovation, it left University Union numerous artist cancellations, rescheduled shows and a global pandemic which forced every in- person event to be cancelled, I could not be more proud of the Board of Directors and members of UU who persevered and continued to provide Syracuse University with top-tier programming.

Overseeing this organization with President Anna Simone has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. This year’s challenges could not have been overcome without every member's dedication, but especially without Anna’s resiliency. She has taught me, and the settle.

Our Cinemas directors this year, Sarah Goldberg (fall) and Emma Cogan (fall and spring), worked with our marketing directors, Matthew Ricciardi and Michael Botazzi, to implement targeted and creative marketing tactics for each weekly screening. Emma aimed to host University Union’s Union’s digital programming.

Performing Arts directors Michael Larkin (fall) and Alexa Powers (spring) both spearheaded

Layne Lindroth was our Concerts director this past fall and focused heavily on survey data to Ward-Diorio and Genna Batson served as co-concerts directors in the spring and planned Mayfest and Block Party before stay-at-home orders mandated both annual events to be cancelled. With series with King Princess and Kaytranada.

Our Collaborations directors, Laura Higbee and Andy Torres-Lopez, raised the bar for the Collaborations board both internally and externally. Laura and Andy became an essential part of the promotion team on the Board of Directors with their elaborate and innovative plan to physically announce the Block Party lineup. Despite not being able to see their work come to fruition in the spring, Andy and Laura brought numerous on-campus and local organizations to table at our shows, promote our events and created lasting relationships.

Mackenzie Glaubitz was our Public Relations director in the fall and social media director in the spring. Despite being a sophomore on the Board of Directors, Mackenzie not only learned the ropes, but pushed boundaries and implemented new initiatives. She worked with our design

7 Mackenzie also worked with Alyssa Loffreddo, our fall social media director, to build a new e-board position to translate UU promotional materials into different languages to ensure UU is reaching international students in their native languages.

Our Design directors, Sloane Sexton (fall), Livia Jones (fall and spring) and Abant Berke (spring), and event. Abant and Livia had already completed all designs for spring events when COVID-19 forced all UU events to be cancelled; but without a single complaint, they jumped in to design new promotional materials for three digital events as well as design a Mayfest shirt for a UU fundraiser.

Despite only being the Public Relations director during a semester where there were no in-person events, Annelise Hackett still ran a virtual press pit for all three digital events, earning only positive coverage from numerous publications.

Our Production directors, Danial Khan (fall) and Katie Reahl (fall and spring) led by example and created opportunities. Danial created some of University Union’s most viewed announce and recap videos. Katie realized her e-board wanted more experience photographing live events, so press pit during every event.

Each and every director on this board questioned the way University Union is run and aimed to make it a better organization. I am incredibly proud of this board’s ability to support one another, engage their e-boards and work as a cohesive team to solve problems this organization has

Thank you to every Board of Director member, e-board member and general member who worked tirelessly to make the digital and in-person events successful this year; and thank you to our alumni for continuous support and encouragement through all of this year’s obstacles and successes. Our alumni have set an incredibly high bar we strive to meet each year and inspire each and every one of us to pursue a career in the industry we care about most.

2021 board of directors and cannot wait to see what is accomplished.

LAUREN CRIMMINS

8 concerts

Layne Lindroth was the Concerts director in the fall semester, booking Juice Jam, overseeing the booking of Bandersnatch and running the Concerts e-board. This year, the Concerts board had a busy and successful fall concert schedule for the Syracuse community. They booked Juice Jam, featuring 21 Savage, EarthGang, FLETCHER, Mt. Joy and Kilo Kish. Only three weeks later, Koffee, Duckwrth and Troyce Pitones were on campus for a lively Bandersnatch show booked by Noa Getzug and Chloe Smith.

Spring semester’s Concerts co- directors were Genna Batson and Slater Ward-Diorio, who booked Block Party, oversaw the booking of Mayfest, and managed ten Concerts e-board members. The 2020 Mayfest co-directors were Lexi Carey and Yanis Konate. Sadly, both Mayfest and Block Party were cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak before we could announce. However, the board quickly turned around and began exploring digital programming. University Union concerts, one with King Princess and one with Kaytranada. The shows were very successful, and both the Concerts board and University Union as a whole will continue to explore digital programming for the future.

9 juice jam: bandersnatch: Juice Jam fell on the second weekend of the Bandersnatch co-directors Noa Getzug and semester in 2019, so the whole organization hit Chloe Smith are proud to have booked the the ground running when we arrived back in Syracuse. It was a massive effort to announce their October 4th show. Koffee and DUCK- and market the event in two weeks, but the WRTH, along with student DJ Troyce Pitones, overwhelmingly positive response to the line- brought an engaged audience who were up made everyone from e-boards to BoD largely newcomers to University Union events. excited to do their part. Kilo Kish kicked off A highlight of the night was Koffee leading the crowd in a traditional Jamaican dance to by Mt. Joy and FLETCHER to provide the her hit “Toast.” Everyone in Goldstein Auditori- pop and rock music for the day. EarthGang um, fans new and old, loved her performance, brought the energy level up to a 10 the second making it all the more exciting when she won they stepped on stage, and it didn’t fade the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album a until long after Juice Jam 2019 had come to few months later. a close—making us all relieved that this year’s 21 Savage topped our student survey in 2019, king princess: so we were super excited to be able to bring King Princess headlined University Union’s him to headline. In the end, we overcame the all-too-familiar last minute artist cancellations, May 2, 2020. King Princess performed a virtual set over Zoom Webinar, broadcasting from her off a perfect event that we’re all extremely mother’s home in Hawaii. Her performance proud of. included hits “1950” and “Ain’t Together,” and a cover of “Slide Away” by Miley Cyrus.

kaytranada: Kaytranada headlined our second Zoom Webinar concert on Friday, May 8th, broadcasting from his home in Toronto. Kaytrana- da performed an hour-long DJ set, bringing good vibes to everyone in quarantine with classics from his albums “99.9%” and “Bubba.” We received amazing feedback from viewers in the interactive comments section throughout the set. Both events were exclusive to SU/ ESF students and faculty and each reached around 650 viewers.

10 performing arts

University Union’s Performing Homecoming Night of Van Ness moderated by Arts board is responsible Comedy, featuring Michael Michelle Buteau. Throughout Che, Cipha Sounds and the years, the Performing comedians and lecture spea- Rosebud Baker, as well as Arts board has been praised kers to Syracuse University. a conversation with Ryan for its diverse and dynamic The Performing Arts directors O’Connell. In the spring, the presence in University work with professional talent board faced many challenges, Union and in the Syracuse agents to book acts, secure including artist cancellations University community. This venues, review contracts and COVID-19. However, board is looking forward to and handle day-of-show the board overcame these next year, and is excited to production. The Performing challenges and hosted partner with other on-campus Arts board had a successful organizations and to hear run of shows during the 2019 performing arts show, a what students would like to Fall semester, including a conversation with Jonathan see on campus.

11 A night of comedy: a conversation michael che, with jonathan van cipha sounds, and ness moderated by rosebud baker: michelle buteau: During Syracuse University’s Orange Central While students were not physically on campus weekend, students, faculty, staff and SU alumni as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, University crowded Goldstein Auditorium to enjoy a Union stayed committed to bringing students night of comedy featuring co-host of Saturday diverse and engaging programming, even from Night Live’s “Weekend Update” Michael Che, home. As a result, the Performing Arts board radio DJ Cipha Sounds and Comedy Central comedian Rosebud Baker. Following the Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness, moderated by The crowning of the 2019-2020 Homecoming King Circle’s Michelle Buteau. This conversation was held on Zoom, an online video conferencing with a DJ set, leading into standup routines platform. This event served as a great escape from Baker and Che. The show left audience for the Syracuse University community, members laughing all night and gave SU as Van Ness and Buteau discussed their alumni a warm welcome back to campus. careers, their friendship, ways to stay positive during quarantine and even how to correctly cut bangs. Ryan o’connell: In celebration of LGBT History Month and Dis- ability Awareness and Appreciation Month, University Union partnered with the SU LGBT Resource Center and the Disability Cultural Center to host a conversation with Ryan O’Con- nell in Goldstein Auditorium. This event also took place in honor of Remembrance Week, which commemorates the 35 SU students who O’Connell, the star, executive producer and about his experience working in the entertainment industry as a gay male with cerebral pal- sy, and the process of developing his memoir I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves into a series. Following the discussion, O’Con- his thoughts on representation in entertainment. This event was a hit for all who attended, and University Union’s Performing Arts board looks forward to bringing more dynamic acts next year!

12 cinemas

The 2019-2020 school We had a great turnout of society as we know it. This year was one full of many Syracuse students and com- documentary showed how challenges, but through it all, munity members alike to see Hitsville, USA, the house in the University Union Cinemas this documentary. The next which Berry Gordon built up board was able to have two special screening was of the Motown, had many famous successful semesters. HBC award-winning documentary musicians walk through its Gifford was packed with SU Knock Down the House, doors including Stevie Won- students every Thursday, which was presented in der, Smokey Robinson, Diana Friday and Saturday to see the partnership with Oxfam at Ross and The Temptations. movies that the board selected SU. Many students turned This documentary tells the to screen each weekend. out to view the documentary story of how Gordon built up Although we did not rec- and celebrate International this record label and helped eive any offers for advanced Women’s Day. talented musicians put out screenings, in addition record after record of hit mak- In total, the Cinemas board to the weekly scheduled ing music. was able to reach a total of screenings, the board was over 1,500 people across able to facilitate two special knock down cinema screening events. The the two semesters. Looking board was also working on a the house: forward, the board hopes to couple of exciting events that In the spring semester, increase awareness of the unfortunately were not able to University Union was excited take place, but we are hoping to partner with Oxfam at larger amount of community to bring them to campus next SU to have a free screening members. We also hope semester instead. of Knock Down the House to continue the tradition of on International Women’s The Cinemas board also bringing advanced scree- Day. Many SU students and worked to have digital cine- nings to Syracuse and to community members showed work with the Collaborations Party for students during the board to implement new acclaimed documentary tells second half of the spring se- enhancements for our regular the story of four women, mester and screened two screenings. including Alexandria Ocasio- movies per weekend. Al- hitsville: Cortez, who decided to run though the digital screenings weren’t as widely viewed as the making for change on the issues we had hoped, we were excit- of motown: that matter most to them, ed to be able to explore some This past fall semester, Univer- including health care and kind of digital cinemas event sity Union had the pleasure of environmental justice. Without and are looking into other collaborating with 1824, the any political experience, they ways we can bring cinemas college program for Univer- set out to challenge powerful online for any future digital sal Music Group, to present a incumbents in Congress for programming we have. special screening of Hitsville: their position in the hopes The Making of Motown. This that they would win and raise documentary gives an inside awareness about various was the documentary Hits- look into the historical record issues as well as make change ville: The Making of Motown. label that changed music and in Washington. 13 collaborations

As always, the Collaborations Beyond Juice Jam, the mission and current goals, board’s primary goal this Collaborations board wor- as well as write cards to the year was to ensure University ked alongside Concerts to powerful women in their Union’s events were as well- enhance Bandersnatch with lives to win giveaway prizes rounded, inclusive and im- glow-in-the-dark face paint from HBO campus reps. pactful as they could be by and bracelets. Later on, While unfortunately Mayfest building and maintaining Collaborations invited the and Block Party were both partnerships on and off- Disability Law Society, SAGE cancelled due to COVID-19, campus. Upstate, the Pride Coalition the Collaborations board still at Vera House and various worked on a digital activation Over the summer, the other organizations to table to commemorate past May- board was busy at work during Ryan O’Connell’s fest events by creating a brainstorming and contract- photo mosaic using photos ing entertainment for Juice in partnership with SU’s LGBT submitted by students. Jam. The board collaborated Resource Center and the with Recess, an event spons- Disability Cultural Center. This year was all about push- orship agency, to add Juice ing the boundaries and trying In the spring, we worked to bring unique entertainment INSTAX Mobile Tour. Through with Cinemas to partner with and experiences to students this partnership, students Oxfam for an International for Collaborations. With the were able to use various Women’s Day screening of groundwork laid for plenty INSTAX products and back- Knock Down the House. Prior more exciting partnerships, drops as a brand new way to the screening, students the board is excited about to document their festival were able to interact with going forward to adapt and experience. Students also got representatives from Oxfam to enact the plans for this spring to pose in front of our annual learn about the organization’s in upcoming semesters! art wall, which was painted by student artist Kayla Clark King, a senior in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. Aside from photo opportunities, the Collaborations board enhanced Juice Jam with a Silent Disco featuring six student DJs spinning music ranging from house to dan- cehall. Additionally, the board a voter registration table in partnership with NYPIRG and Community Relations, which registered more than 200 new voters. 14 marketing

The Marketing board focused much of its the Marketing board. Nevertheless, looking efforts this year on changing the role of the forward, the Marketing board hopes to board in University Union. In the fall semester, implement its ideas and continue to promote it mostly focused on executing short-term shows in ways that will encourage maximum marketing tactics the week of an event. Since student and public turnout. In terms of our most of the fall events were closed to the digital events, the Marketing board worked public this year, the Marketing board focused closely with the Social Media board for the on selecting exclusive promotional items that digital promotion of the Jonathan Van Ness, students wanted and physically marketing in King Princess and Kaytranada shows. The Marketing board created ideas for show teasers, continued, the board members changed their along with social media posts that would raise roles to contribute via idea generation and use excitement about the shows. The Marketing different, updated promotional tools. Directors board continues to adapt its purpose within added another community outreach position University Union to best promote both our in- in hopes of more heavily incorporating local person and digital programming. in our events. Due to COVID-19, most of our on-campus spring events were cancelled along with the marketing plans created by social media

All four of University Union’s social media platforms saw consistent growth within this past year. University Union’s Facebook surpassed 10,400 likes, Twitter has roughly 7,900 followers, Instagram has around 5,300 followers and Snapchat followers have been social media takeovers and spotlights! This increasing rapidly! The Social Media board year, the social media team also started focused on creating an engaging and cohesive both TikTok and WeChat accounts for the social media presence by utilizing effective organization. Additionally, it started posting post design, interactive social media features translated event posters on social media in and collaborating with Design on graphics. order to make our events more accessible to University Union’s digital programming a wider number of students. Throughout the allowed the Social Media board to work more challenges of the past year, UU’s socials have closely with Marketing, developing creative maintained an informative and positive voice, ideas such as UU bingo, artist starter packs offering resources and tips for students during and lineup teaser posts. Next year, the team the pandemic. The Social Media team is not hopes to humanize all platforms by showing only committed to promoting University Union inside looks into what goes into planning and events in exciting ways, but also to being a running University Union through e-board 15 design

This was an exciting and biggest accomplishments innovative year for University was developing brands for Union’s Design board! During the spring comedy show as the fall semester, we enjoyed well as Mayfest and Block collaborating with other Party before we transitioned boards to create posters, social to digital programming, media graphics, merchandise which helped our board get and promotional materials the experience of a normal for events like Juice Jam and semester in University Union Bandersnatch. In the spring, without the challenge of our board experimented with digital programming. Our ways to design for digital board has become close-knit programming, focusing over this tumultuous year on social media graphics and we hope it has been a and experimenting with valuable learning experience the University Union brand for everyone! and its style of design. Social media graphic designed for One of the Design board’s Kaytranada’s digital performance production Productions board to keep the website up to date. Looking forward, the Productions This was the third year for videographers hands-on University Union’s Productions experience documenting ways to collaborate with board. The Productions board performances. To document other boards and continue is a team of photographers and UU events, the Productions their work with the Westcott videographers responsible for board used photos and videos Theatre. promoting and documenting to recap the performances, UU’s various events for activations and student use on University Union’s experiences at each event. website, blog and social Artist announcement videos media platforms. This year, and photos of giveaway the board reached its largest merchandise were also size of three photographers created to help promote and three videographers, upcoming events. The led by Katie Reahl and Productions board also Danial Khan. A collaboration had one Board of Directors between Westcott Theatre photo shoot each semester and the Productions board to keep the website updated began this year, giving and cohesive. It is also our photographers and the responsibility of the 16 stay in touch!

The current members of University Union would love to create and maintain relationships with UU Alumni. If you are interested in connecting with current members, please contact us at [email protected]. Also, be sure to join our Alumni Facebook page here. We hope to hear from you soon!