Students create, plan BonnieRoo

BonnieRoo 2016
BonnieRoo 2016

BonnieRoo, an annual outdoor music festival, returns to the Bonnie Plaza to provide live entertainment to Radford students from 7 to 11 p.m. on April 21.  

Radford University students organized, marketed, designed and executed the entire music festival.

“We learned so much from planning this event,” said senior Alyssa Klinksiek, co-chair of BonnieRoo. “It’s great because we learned how to host a live event. Everything we did taught us something.”

The festival features both local and student acts.

Bands at BonnieRoo:

  • Bottom of the Ninth, a pop-punk band from Va.
  • The Desert Sons, an alternative-indie rock band from Va.

Student Organizations:

  • Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
  • Sigma Alpha Iota
  • The Radford Acabellas
  • Jazz Combo
  • American Choral Directors Association
  • Community of Artists
Relay For Life table at BonnieRoo 2016
Relay For Life table at BonnieRoo 2016

Djembes, a type of drum that originated from West Africa, are featured in the opening act by the Community of Artists. The concert features a piece written by one of the students and a dance improvisation by Community of Artists dancers. The Community of Artists will also have two tables at the event, one featuring customized graffiti art and the other body paint.

“It's fun having all the different College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) majors in one community working together to present their skills,” said freshman Elizabeth Bange, a member of the Community of Artists. “This event will showcase what our community is all about – one that works together and influences each other.” 

Dana Trask, assistant director of advising in the CVPA, said that the Community of Artists is looking forward to the opportunity to share their work with the entire campus community.

Part of creating that casual setting was the decision to change the festival name to BonnieRoo from Concert on the Lawn, which was previously held on Heth Lawn. The new name was influenced by the major music festival Bonnaroo, which takes place each summer in Tennessee.

The Music Business Student Association at Radford University and GrammyU are sponsoring BonnieRoo and are at Radford to help students learn more about all aspects of the music industry, recording, mastering, producing and distributing music. 

The alternate indoor location for BonnieRoo is the MAC Court in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Apr 18, 2017
Max Esterhuizen
540-831-7749
westerhuizen@radford.edu