How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
In years past, NYU released a Welcome Week guide that included a schedule and description of the NYU-sponsored events during orientation week.
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This year, there won't be physical literature distributed by NYU, but you can see the event listings at bit.ly/welcomeweek. We've provided a schedule of what WSN thinks some of the best Welcome Week events are.
MONDAY 11 a.m. Bronfman Bagel Brunch, Bronfman Center The Bronfman Center is a key place for Jewish students on campus. And what better way to familiarize yourself with the Center than with free bagels?
3:30 p.m. Presidential Welcome and the Reality Show, Madison Square Garden The Reality Show is one of the most well-known NYU traditions. Every year, upperclassmen put on this hilarious and cautionary welcome-to-NYU musical. If there's one event to attend during Welcome Week, this is it. Note: This performance is open to new undergraduates. If you're not a new student (aka students like us who want to see the show again), you can attend a second performance on Sept. 14 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m.
7 p.m. Transfer Outings: Brooklyn Bridge Tour, meet in the Kimmel Center lobby If you're a transfer student, events such as these are good opportunities to meet other students in a situation similar to yours. And cliché though it may seem, the Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic and beautiful New York attraction. Now's the perfect chance to enjoy it for your first time as an NYU student.
8 p.m. and 11 p.m Hypnosis of Michael C. Anthony, Kimmel Center (Eisner & Lubin Auditorium, 4th floor) This hypnotist performs his entertaining and fun shows at venues across the country, so catch him while he's at NYU.
TUESDAY
2 p.m. Getting Involved: Fraternity and Sorority Life, Kimmel Center (704J) With so few NYU students in sororities or frats, finding your way into Greek life might seem confusing. But if you're interested, an event like this will teach you how to begin the rush process and become a part of the Greek world.
4 p.m. Musical Neighborhood Tour, meet in the Kimmel Center lobby New York is filled with secrets, and walking tours are a great way to find out about them. This tour focuses on the music scene and history of the city.
8 and 10 p.m. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Kimmel Center (Eisner & Lubin Auditorium, 4th floor) New York's Rocky Horror Picture Show cast will perform for NYU students twice tonight, and it's worth visiting, if only to see your fellow classmates fake orgasms on stage. If you like the show a lot, you can go every week — they perform on Fridays and Saturdays at midnight at Chelsea Clearview Cinemas (but tickets are $9).
9 and 11 p.m. Student Comedy Night featuring Dangerbox and HammerKatz, Kimmel Center (Rosenthal Pavilion, 10th floor) Any show featuring performances by the NYU improv group Dangerbox and HammerKatz, a sketch comedy group of NYU alumni that performs at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, is a guaranteed laugh.
WEDNESDAY
1 p.m. Guess the Straight Person, Kimmel Center (802) Someone has probably told you about Guess the Straight Person; after all, what could be more NYU-esque than an event where you try to guess who the straight person is on a panel of students?
1 to 4 p.m. Washington Square News open house, Fairchild building (7 E. 12th St., 8th floor) Sorry for the self-promotion, but if you're interested in working for us in any capacity, stop by and meet our editors.
7 p.m. Dance Lessons — Salsa, Palladium Athletic Facility (Auxiliary Gym B) Whether you're a trained pro or your only experience is dancing in your room before bed, this lesson will be a fun introduction to the lively dancing community at NYU.
THURSDAY
11 a.m. CityFest Vendor Fair, Kimmel Center (Eisner & Lubin Auditorium, 4th floor) This event, which gives area stores and restaurants a chance to market to students, is great if you're looking for great deals and coupons. There's usually a decent amount of free stuff too. It's definitely worth walking through.
3 p.m. Going Green: Biking the Big Apple, Kimmel Center (909) If you love your bike, don't miss this event. You'll learn about the best bike spots in the city and meet fellow friendly bikers.
4 p.m. Stressbusters Back Rub and Health Bonanza, Kimmel Center (405) What you need to know: free backrubs.
FRIDAY
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Washington Square News open house, Fairchild building (7 E. 12th St., 8th floor) If you couldn't make it to our first open house, stop by for this one.
9 p.m. The Beach Ball, Kimmel Center (Eisner & Lubin Auditorium, 4th floor) Ask yourself: Did I like going to my homecoming dance in high school? If yes, you will probably enjoy The Beach Ball.
And a few tips about Welcome Week: — If you don't want to, you don't have to spend your entire first week at NYU shooting Smirnoff and hunting for fake IDs. That's what's great about NYU: At another college, you wouldn't be able to go to the Museum of Modern Art instead of a frat party. Learn to take advantage of these types of things early.
— Don't stress during Welcome Week or worry too much about missing the talk on getting involved with community service groups. You're not going to ruin your college career if you sleep through these events. And once class starts next Tuesday, you'll be yearning for this week of freedom.
— Don't spend all the money you saved over the summer this week. It's really easy to spend your $500 of savings on street-fair scarves, psychic visits in Times Square or $80 trips to Duane Reade. (Buy shampoo with your declining dollars and get toilet paper from your dorm.)
