1. Toast Improv
When asked what Toast Improv is all about, director Russell Sanders put it this way: “Hopefully, we just make ... kids laugh … and we make each other laugh!” Toast is an improvisational comedy group consisting of around five students, with auditions for new members held once a year. Once a month, the group performs—no sets, no scripts.
“It’s pure make-believe,” Russell explains, “and that works out best.” Each year, the students involved also attend the North Carolina Comedy Arts Festival, where they participate in improv workshops and performances. This year, Toast is holding a 10th anniversary show at the end of October in addition to their regular performance, which will be held at the beginning of October.
Facebook: Toast Improv
Twitter: ToastImprovSC
YouTube: ToastImprovSC

2. Acoustic Café
Acoustic Café is a great way to spend a free hour on a Tuesday night, whether you’re an aspiring musician, music lover or just taking a coffee break from studying. Held seven times throughout the semester at the Barnes & Noble in Russell House, Acoustic Café offers students the opportunity to perform live covers and original material in a casual and respectful environment. Each evening show lasts from 9:30 to 10:30 and allows two artists 30 minutes each to play. If you’re interested in participating, contact Steph Durso, the Concerts Committee head for CP, so she can get a feel for your music and find a spot for you. “[Acoustic Café] is a great way for musicians to gain exposure and even make a profit if they sell demo CDs,” says Steph. For a complete list of dates, pick up a Carolina Productions calendar at the Russell House Info Desk, or check out www.cp.sc.edu.
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3. Spoken Word Wednesdays
A new event sponsored by Carolina Productions, Spoken Word Wednesdays features poetry that students write themselves and perform in front of an audience. Amartha Ogburu, head of the Spoken Word Wednesdays project, suggests that this event will be the first of its type that CP has brought to the University.
“It is uniform and structured so that everyone can know well in advance, and students can get excited about it,” she says. The event takes place on Wednesday evenings once a month in the Russell House Theater, the first of which was on Sept. 15 and featured popular spoken word poet and musical artist, Oveous. He has gained a following by performing all over, including on HBO’s “Def Poetry.”
When asked about rehearsals for Spoken Word Wednesdays, Amartha responded that there were none. “We’re kind of expecting them to just bring it.”
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Meetings: Cultural Awareness Committee: Wednesdays, 7 p.m., Russell House 348

4. Dionobrite Productions
If you haven’t heard of DinoBrite, then get out of the library (or get on YouTube while there, come on). DinoBrite, led by fourth-year students Joey Thompson and Fabio Frey, is a comic group that has been featured twice on Comedy Central’s hit show “Tosh.0.” Its top video on YouTube has over 66,000 hits. DinoBrite has twice been named one of the four best college comedy shows by College Broadcasters, Inc. and was invited to participate in Orlando’s Video Sketchfest. Their most unusual accomplishment? Receiving a compliment from Hodge Stansson of the “Unforgivable” videos (you know, “waffle fries, for free!”). DinoBrite also has a show on SGTV called “Skitzophrenia.” This year, Joey and Fabio hope to produce another show for SGTV, several pilots and a short film. If you want to get in on the action, be ready to work hard. “People expect it to be all fun, but it’s work,” Fabio says seriously. He follows with, “I once threw a grapefruit at my teacher’s head.”
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Watch: On SGTV or at www.youtube.com/dinobrite