Acclaimed singer-songwriter Brent Cowles will perform at Colorado State University’s Community Open House Aug. 5, kicking off a series of live music performances that will continue on campus throughout football season.
The free, public event begins at 10:30 a.m. just north of the new multipurpose stadium.
Cowles, who released his debut solo EP called “Cold Times” in April, has performed at South by Southwest in Austin, Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Colorado Sound’s first birthday party at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins this spring.
He is the former frontman of the band You Me & Apollo, which dissolved in 2014. Cowles has been featured recently in articles appearing in Westword, Paste, EarMilk and MotherChurchPew.
New live music series
Cowles’ Aug. 5 performance is only the beginning. Each Friday and Saturday before home football games, CSU will host free live music on campus in conjunction with The Music District. A full schedule of the lineup, which will include a series of student-oriented performers and acts geared toward alumni and community members, will be announced in the coming weeks.
“We are so excited to enrich the new stadium’s first season by making these weekends about more than just football,” said Tom Milligan, CSU vice president for external relations. “These concerts are an opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate the rich music scene that Fort Collins and Colorado enjoy.”
The annual Community Open House typically takes place in mid-August, before the fall semester begins. This year it will take place earlier than usual and includes a chance for members of the community to go inside the new stadium and watch the Rams football practice on Sonny Lubick Field. The campuswide celebration will feature complimentary popsicles provided by Revolution Artisan Pops, inflatables for the kids, CAM the Ram will be on hand, and CSU representatives will distribute information about the university’s various units, resources and services.
Other activities
After Cowles’ show, there will be a commemorative brick dedication beginning at 11:40 a.m. The stadium opens at noon for the public’s first look inside the new facility, in advance of the 1 p.m. football practice presented by Scheels.
The new Ram Zone Official Merchandise Store at the stadium will officially open that day as well, and all concessions stands will be in operation to allow fans to experience the new food and beverage offerings in the stadium.
The football practice is free, but requires a ticket for entry. Tickets will be mailed to season ticket holders, matching the seat location(s) of the season tickets they purchased. Additional general admission tickets for the event are available at no cost but will need to be claimed online at http://col.st/ISdGs after July 19 or by visiting the Rams Ticket Office at the Stadium on event day. The ticket office is located on the north side of the stadium. The clear bag policy will be in effect for all fans entering the stadium, and Scheels will distribute 5,000 clear bags at stadium gates
Parking
Parking lots open at 10 and will be available on a first come, first served basis, with fans permitted to park in any available lot. While tailgating on game days will be permitted in designated lots, there will not be tailgating allowed for the event on Aug. 5.
More details, including information for season ticket holders and those who wish to purchase season tickets, is available on the Athletics Department website.
The Rams will open their 41,000-capacity on-campus stadium Aug. 26 when Pac-12 foe Oregon State visits Fort Collins for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff.
