Grand Re-Opening at Colorado State’s Lory Student Center Features Music for All Tastes

Grand re-opening festivities for Colorado State University’s renovated Lory Student Center will include diverse music featuring a Valentine’s Day organ concert, a Dixieland jazz Mardi Gras celebration, a swing dance and a local live band night. All events are free and open to the public.

The Lory Student Center Theatre will host an organ concert from 3-5 p.m. Feb. 14. The concert will feature Ron Rhode, an internationally acclaimed theatre organist, who will perform on the student center’s famed Wurlitzer organ. Rhode was recognized as "Theatre Organist of the Year" for 1989 by the American Theatre Organ Society and has received "Top Rating 10/10" from CD Review Magazine on two recordings. Over his 26-year career as a theatre organist, Rhode has played at nearly every major theatre organ installation in the world.

On Feb. 16, the Lory Student Center will kick off a Mardi Gras celebration with entertainment by the Poudre River Irregulars, a popular New Orleans and Dixieland jazz ensemble. The band will play from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Commons on the lower level of the student center. Food booths will be open in the Commons from 12-2 p.m.

Events will continue at 8 p.m. Feb. 16 with Denver jazz musician Billy Tolles performing for swing dancers in the Lory Student Center Main Ballroom. Beginning swing dance lessons will be offered by the Colorado State University Swing Society in the Commons at 7 p.m.

The first evening concert in the Commons will be on Feb. 17 and will feature two local bands. Clockworked will begin the event at 8:30 p.m. in the Commons, and Bregstown will begin playing at 10 p.m.

A complete schedule of grand re-opening events at the Lory Student Center follows.

Feb. 11 First Hot-Air Balloon Launch, 2-4 p.m., Lory Student Center west lawn; two student center staff members will be selected in a drawing to take a hot-air balloon ride.

Feb. 14 Family Day, 12-3 p.m., Lory Student Center upper and lower levels; features face painting, games, balloon animals, a professional storyteller, a center-wide scavenger hunt and a children’s reading corner in the University Bookstore.

Organ Concert, 3-5 p.m., Lory Student Center Theatre; features Ron Rhode, internationally acclaimed theatre organist performing on the student center’s famed Wurlitzer organ.

Feb. 15 Carnival, 12-3 p.m., Lory Student Center upper and lower levels; features carnival games hosted by offices across the student center and free snow cones and cotton candy.

Feb. 16 Mardi Gras, 11-2 p.m., Lory Student Center lower level; features food booths and entertainment by the Poudre River Irregulars, a popular New Orleans and Dixieland jazz ensemble.

Swing Dance, 8 p.m., Lory Student Center Main Ballroom; features jazz by Billy Tolles. Swing dance lessons in the commons area on the lower level at 7 p.m.

Feb. 17 Student Organization Day; 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Lory Student Center lower level; student organizations will host information booths, open microphone sessions and performances.

Live Band Night and Hot-Air Balloon Ride Drawing, the Lory Student Center Commons; featuring Clockworked at 8:30 p.m. and Bregstown at 10 p.m. At 9:30 p.m., four lucky winners will be drawn for a hot-air balloon ride Feb. 18.

Feb. 18 Second Hot-Air Balloon Launch, 7 a.m., Lory Student Center west lawn; four winners will take a ride in a hot-air balloon.

Faculty and Staff Night, 5-8 p.m., Ramskeller; Colorado State faculty and staff are invited to come learn more about the student center renovation project.

Casino Night, 8-11 p.m., Lory Student Center Commons; features casino games, karaoke and a drawing for a trip to Las Vegas.