There are a little more than 100 days in the spring semester. Each of these days are important. But some of the dates between the start of classes on Jan. 11 and the commencement ceremonies on May 9 are more interesting or unique than the others. Here's a collection of some of these glamour dates. Enjoy.
MLK day performance at West Campus — Jan. 20
A collection of Valley sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders will gather to emulate the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom — you know, the march that included Martin Luther King Jr.'s famed "I Have a Dream" speech. ASU faculty member Charles St. Clair will handle the speech. The event is free and begins at 11 a.m.
Women's basketball team hosts University of Arizona — Jan. 22
A scheduling fluke meant our men's basketball team hosted the Wildcats over holiday break. Boo. So get your rivalry action here with the women's hoops squad, which is currently the 10th-ranked team in nation. That has to bode well for this matchup, which starts at 7 p.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.
ASU Startup Summitt — Jan. 30
Entrepreneurs, here's an opportunity to turn your idea into reality. The summit provides workshops and networking opportunities for startups or other ventures built on creative dreams.
The journey begins at 11 a.m. in the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus. Register here.
Deadline to apply for graduation — Feb. 15
It's not reserving your gown, but you need to fill out the appropriate paperwork to wear your gown. Then you can transition to the world and show everyone how well ASU prepared you to succeed.
Night of the Open Door
Here's your chance to get a glimpse of some of those cool things happening at ASU that you hear about every time we tout our greatness. Basically a series of open-house events at each of ASU's campuses, the Night of the Open Door invites students and the public into corners of ASU creating art, exploring science or striving for innovation. You can participate in a 12-bar blues workshop or learn to program arduinos or create your own Rubik's Cube. These nights are more than just showing off ASU's achievements — they're opportunities to have some enlightenment mixed into your fun Friday or Saturday nights. Here's a list of the dates for each campus.
West: 4-8 p.m. Feb. 6
Downtown: 4-8 p.m. Feb. 12
Polytechnic: 5-9 Feb. 19
Thunderbird: 4-8 p.m. Feb. 20
Tempe: 4-9 p.m. Feb. 27
Visit the Night of the Open Door website for more information.
Devilpalooza featuring Hunter Hayes — Feb. 26
Hunter Hayes has been Nashville's Wunderkind for what feels like 10 years. That he's only 24 says everything you need to know about his ability to dazzle on the guitar or write country-pop songs that compel people to turn up the volume. He'll be bringing his charismatic stage presence to ASU for this 9 p.m. concert event that's free for students, faculty and staff. Register here.
Forensics Day at West Campus — March 3
We've all watched enough TV cop procedurals to know that forensics are fascinating. Take that interest to the West Campus' forensics program and discover how ASU students are trained to do what mesmerizes us on TV.
ASU men's basketball team hosts California and ESPN2 — March 5
It's always a little more interesting when ESPN comes to campus. The sports network returns to broadcast this 6 p.m. game at Wells Fargo Arena that we hope will have postseason implications for these Pac-12 teams.
Spring break — March 6-13
Last one out turn the lights off, right?
ASU baseball plays Meiji University — March 15
For all the talk about baseball being "America's pastime," this game against the Tokyo university feels like a fine example of global synergy. The first pitch flies at 6:30 p.m. at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
Oozeball — April 2
Not familiar with oozeball? It's essentially volleyball in a mud pit. More importantly, the annual event is popular at ASU. You'll want to see it happen, or get in on the action.
Zadie Smith at ASU — April 12
Literature enthusiasts have to be excited about this. Smith is one of contemporary literature's bright lights, a voice that can be poignant and humorous with topics like immigration — which was at the heart of her award-winning first novel "White Teeth." Her talk starts at 7 p.m. in the Tempe Center for the Arts. RSVP here.
Final exams — May 2-7
Is it too early to start studying?
"Annie" at ASU Gammage — May 4-8
There might not be a limit to how many times you can hear a pack of orphans sing "Hard Knock Life." With that in mind, listen to the song again during this touring Broadway production of that little, red-haired orphan. Get tickets here.
Commencement — May 9
As master learners, the educational journey doesn't end for ASU students once they toss their caps into the air. But the rite of passage does mark a new beginning, and the close of another school year.
Photos courtesy press materials and ASU Now.
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