Finals Fest 2012 will spotlight rap artist Childish Gambino and sex columnist Dan Savage as part of May’s Vandal Entertainment series.
“Some students had suggested Childish Gambino (to the board) and I always get different emails from different agencies,” said Vandal Entertainment Board Chair Alex Rheault. “We started looking into it more.”
And for $35,000, they signed him.
Donald Glover, Childish Gambino’s legal name, is known for his role as Troy Barnes on NBC’s comedy series “Community” as well as his album Camp, which was released in November 2011 and includes his No. 1 hit “Heartbeat.”
Many of Gambino’s songs include expletives and strong lyrics, but Rheault said the contract does not give the University of Idaho power to censor him.
“Any time you bring a hip-hop artist, you’re going to have issues with that,” Rheault said. “I definitely thought there’d be more issues (but there hasn’t been).”
Savage, who is famous for his sex advice column “Savage Love” and the co-founder of the “It Gets Better Project,” often talks about sexuality, relationships and LGBTQA advice.
While a Facebook comment on the Finals Fest event page said, “Can’t believe my tuition dollars support not only useless but also incredibly biased presentations like this,” Rheault said Vandal Entertainment can’t please all students. She said the Women’s Center and LGBTQA office expressed interest in his visit and said Savage fits well with the campus.
“I really appreciate everyone’s opinions on the Facebook event,” Rheault said. “It allows people to keep discussing it.”
Overall, Rheault said the two headliners were picked due to student approval.
“We go off of student opinions,” Rheault said. “Their fee is paying for that.”
Rheault said Savage was signed for $15,000, which was a “steal” as he travels to other universities across the nation and premiered his MTV show “Savage U” earlier this month. Savage’s event is free and non-ticketed.
A microphone will be available for a question-and-answer session during Savage’s talk and Rheault said there will be a chance to write down questions, for those who do not want to read them aloud. Following the event, attendees can purchase his books for signing.
As for Childish Gambino, the event is free for all UI students who bring a valid student ID. Non-students can purchase tickets for $10 the week of April 23 or online for $15 through the UI Athletics Ticket Office. A link for the online tickets will be posted later this week on Vandal Entertainment’s Facebook page. CDs and clothing merchandise will also be for sale.
Lindsey Treffry can be reached at [email protected]
More Information:
Childish Gambino will perform at 8 p.m. May 2 in the Kibbie Dome. Doors open at 7 p.m. The concert is free for UI students carrying a valid student ID, while non-students can purchase $10 tickets the week of April 23 or online for $15 through the UI Athletics Ticket Office.
Dan Savage will speak at 8 p.m. May 3 in the Kibbie Dome. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are not required as the performance is free.