First Summerfest event kicks off today

Looking for something new and exciting to do today? Take a walk down to Houston Hall Plaza -- the area between Houston and College Halls -- and take part in Summerfest 1995 between noon and two p.m. There will be vendors selling food and a radio station playing music. And, of course, there will be free ice cream for everyone. The Office of University Life and the College of General Studies are co-sponsoring the event. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said the departments decided there was a need for this type of event because there are not many structured activities over the summer. "It's really important for us to come together as a nurturing community all year long," she said. "And I think new traditions to that end in the summer are terrific." She added that she believes this is the first time an event like this is being held in the summer. "It should be fun, and I hope a lot of folks come," McCoullum said. And Associate CGS Director Marion Bell said this event is something the two departments have been thinking about for a long time. "We thought we would like to do something to liven things up on campus for students over the summer," she said. If the weather is not good, the event will be held in Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge, Bell added. Both Bell and McCoullum stressed that they hope this event attracts not only students, but also faculty, administrators and community members. Bell said this is the first of four events the two departments are running. The next one is tentatively set for June 22, and there are two dates set aside during the second summer session. The future events will not be exactly like today's, she added. "There may be live music next time," Bell said. And McCoullum said the departments are planning a free summer film series at the Annenberg School. One film will be shown every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. starting on July 6 and running until August 10. The series, which is being called "The City on Screen: Free Films at Penn," is currently scheduled to include the films Blade Runner, Manhattan, The Blues Brothers, Chinatown, Brazil and Philadelphia. All of movies will deal with "the intricacies and intrigues of urban life," according to CGS Publicity and External Affairs Coordinator Luise Moskowitz. And refreshments will be available at all screenings.