The University of Idaho Argonaut

The Vandal Entertainment Staff has a few new faces this year. Committee Chair Kelsey LaRoche,
Films Chair Sarah White, Lectures Chair Marina Rankow and Concerts Chair James Thomas will be planning events for students throughout the year.
LaRoche said she is excited about the new team.

In the past, she said the Vandal Entertainment staff had little continuity, but this year they will play well off of each other’s strengths.
She said she hopes to bring more of a variety of entertainers to the University of Idaho. Comedians, speakers, hypnotists and plays are all things the staff
is considering.

Events will be contracted further in advance than they have been in the past, LaRoche said.
White’s duty is to book films for the Borah Theater in the Student Union Building. She decides which movies will play and when.
Her personal interests are horror and indie movies, but she said that wouldn’t have an influence on the movies she brings to UI.

“The main goal is for people to watch the movies,” White said.
Rankow said she hopes to bring a greater variety of entertainment to campus, in general.
“Events won’t appeal to everyone, but every event will appeal to someone,” Rankow said.

She is new to UI this year but has experience doing musical theater in Las Vegas.
Having been a part of theater before, she is excited to work behind the scenes for a change.

Thomas said his main project is the concert series for next semester.
There will be at least three concerts during the series. Thomas said while he can’t yet reveal what bands the group is considering, the series will be “phenomenal.”

Thomas strives to have a responsive relation with students, in which students influence the concerts being put on.
His personal taste in music is reggae, but his opinions won’t drive the concerts being put on.
“Otherwise I wouldn’t be doing my job,” Thomas said.
Thomas is also involved in his own musical project, outside of work.

The committee is looking forward to the upcoming year and plans to bring in a variety of entertainment. Each member plays a key role, but has different tastes.
“We all work together and give input,” Rankow said.