When the Sonic Boom of the South performs a day before JSU football players storm the field for their Thursday opener this week in Las Vegas, the host city will be able to boast that it is, indeed, the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Partners in Jackson and Las Vegas say euphoria is building for a week of other events that will bridge cultures between JSU students and communities in Nevada.
“This will be a great cultural exchange for those who have not seen an HBCU of this magnitude,” said Wheeler Brown, JSU’s Director of Athletics. “It’s also a great opportunity for our students to travel to another region of the country as well as for JSU alums in Las Vegas.”
The band, along with Jackson State University’s Prancing J-Settes, will capture the spotlight during a community performance before Thursday night’s football season opener between the JSU Tigers and UNLV Rebels at 9 p.m. CDT in the Sam Boyd Stadium.
The Sonic Boom will give a free public pep rally at 8 p.m. CDT Wednesday at Pearson Community Center in North Las Vegas.
Lawrence Weekly, chairman of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said, “This event allows JSU to travel west and expose its rich, pure history to students and a community that probably would not have had an opportunity to ever experience here. It also allows UNLV to step outside its box from traditional types of football games. It creates an entirely new dialogue of diversity. We get to see university systems through various sets of lenses.”
Weekly, also a District 3 County Commissioner, said the events can be a recruitment tool for JSU by helping potential students understand what an HBCU is like.
“We’re grateful to (JSU President) Carolyn Meyers, her administration and entire team for being so gracious throughout this whole process by coming here to interact with the community,” he said.
Other events slated include (all times PDT):
- Wednesday-Friday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.): Alumni and Constituency Relations and JSUNAA Joint Exhibit; Bellagio Convention Hall
- Wednesday (6 p.m.): Live Preview Performance of the Sonic Boom and J-Settes; Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey, North Las Vegas, Nev. 89032
- Wednesday (8 p.m.-midnight): Post Pep-Rally Welcome Party for Alumni and Friends; Bellagio Penthouse Suite-Fountain View
- Thursday (1-5 p.m.): Meet and Greet for Alumni and Friends, Bellagio Executive Hospitality Suite
- Thursday (10 p.m.): JSU vs. UNLV After-Game Party, $20 (www.wecametoplay.com; LoCo Cantina)
- Friday (2-8 p.m.): Thee Alumni Mansion Pool/Day Party, $20 (www.wecame2play.com; Hartland Mansion)
- Saturday (10 p.m.): Thee Finale, $20 (www.wecame2play.com; LoCo Cantina)
JSU Office of Undergraduate Recruitment activities in Las Vegas:
- Wednesday (9 a.m.-noon): Shadow Ridge High School, 5050 Brent Lane, Las Vegas, Nev. 89143
- Thursday (9 a.m.-noon): Cheyenne High School, 3200 W. Alexander Road, North Las Vegas, Nev. 89030
- Friday (9 a.m.-noon): Las Vegas High School; 6500 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas 89142
- Friday (1-3 p.m.): Rainbow Academy of Dreams