Caltopia gears up for its fall kickoff

15 August 2003

Where can you find a poetry slam, solar energy teach-in, tailgate party, fashion show, “cardio- striptease” demonstration, and burrito samples, all in super-close proximity? At Caltopia — a two-day Welcome Week party that runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fri., Aug. 22 and Sat., Aug. 23. Activities will take place in the student union, on lower Sproul Plaza, and on the Evans baseball diamond, located just north of the Recreational Sports Facility (RSF).

Sponsored by the RSF, the ASUC, and the Cal Student Store, the mostly free event is open to faculty, staff, and students, as well as community members. Organizers say they created Caltopia as a fun and entertaining way to kick off the fall semester, and to familiarize folks with some of the services offered here on campus.

Among the highlights of Caltopia are these:
The Golden Bear Expo. Visitors can stop by more than 100 exhibitor booths, play games, test out new products, stock up on giveaways, and gather information. They can also watch demonstrations of various exercise methods, such as kickboxing, Capoeira, and “cardio strip,” an aerobic workout that utilizes classic striptease moves.

Live music on two stages. More than 10 different bands are scheduled to play, including R&B, jazz, reggae, funk, and rock. Tickets can be purchased to attend a Saturday-night concert with De La Soul, Hieroglyphics, and No Use For A Name, to be held in Haas Pavilion.

Taste of the Bay food sampling. This area features treats from 30 Bay Area restaurants, such as Cancún, Jupiter, Hua-Hin, Noah’s Bagels, High Tech Burrito, and Cold Stone Creamery. Sampling requires the purchase of tickets, which are 50 cents apiece.

Tailgate party and Cal football game. For a small price, Bear fans can munch on food provided by Skates on the Bay and watch a televised broadcast (on a 14-by-16-foot screen) of their team battling Kansas State.

In addition to these activities, visitors can get a mini-massage, health screening, or fitness test at the Mind, Body, and Soul Zone; test their skills at table tennis, horseshoes, or handball at the Cal Sports Challenge; check out runway models donning the latest fashions from the Cal Student Store; or listen to raw, exhilarating verse at a poetry slam (a preview of the Collegiate National Poetry Slam to be held on campus next spring). For a complete schedule of events, visit calbears.berkeley.edu/festival.