Def Comedy Jam to highlight Winterfest '99 weekend acts

'Tis the season to be congested from coughing, wind-burned from walking and stressed out from studying. But University officials and student leaders have plans this weekend to brighten up those winter woes as they celebrate the season with the third annual Winterfest. The extended weekend events -- organized by the Tangible Change Committee, the Office of Student Life, the Social Planning and Events Committee and the class boards -- feature a number of musical, comedy and dance performances on campus as well as other special holiday programs. "The holiday spirit makes people happy and we are trying to project that attitude on the student body," said Tangible Change Co-Director Theo LeCompte, an Engineering junior. "It makes finals that much less stressful." Winterfest '99 kicks off today with a Kwanzaa celebration and feast at the Newman Center, beginning at 6 p.m. And later tonight, things will heat up at 10 p.m. in McClelland Hall with a Hawaiian December dance party geared for freshmen. But according to organizers, the highlight of the weekend will be two special shows offering Penn students the opportunity to see some of the top national acts and campus performances. On Friday, Russell Simmons' Def Comedy Jam, the troop that helped launch the careers of comedians Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock, will liven up the Annenberg Center's Zellerbach Theatre at 8 p.m. The show -- sponsored by the Social Planning and Events Committee To Represent Undergraduate Minorities -- will feature minority stand-up acts such as Talent and Dominque and music by well-known DJ Kid Capri, who has performed with top hip-hop artists including Puff Daddy, the Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. On Saturday, five of Penn's top performing arts groups will usher in the season of giving with a benefit show at 8 p.m. in Irvine Auditorium. Musical comedy troop Mask and Wig will join a cappella singers Off the Beat, improvisational comedy group Without a Net and the dance companies African Rhythms and Onda Latina in the largest community charity event ever sponsored by Penn's performing arts groups. Tickets are being sold for $8 this week on Locust Walk, with proceeds benefiting the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance's plan to turn the Paul Robeson House into a performing arts center. "There was a lot of potential to have a large-scale event at Penn and go against the common sentiment that Penn students don't really care about the community," said College senior Josh Slatko, who helped coordinate the event as a member of Mask and Wig. Winterfest organizers have also planned a number of other activities to inject a little cheer into the last weekend before finals. On Friday, Locust Walk will be decked with holiday spirit as tables will be set up for students to make menorahs, wreaths and holiday cards. And free apple cider, hot chocolate, gingerbread cookies and candy canes will be distributed to passersby. In addition, there will be a Kwanzaa jazz concert and lunch held at the Veranda at noon. And on Saturday, there will be another Kwanzaa celebration hosted by The Foundation Community Arts Initiative at the Rotunda, where students can listen to storytellers and make unique holiday crafts.