FallFest, West Virginia Universitys annual welcome-back celebration, will kick off the 2008-09 school year with a concert featuring the rock band Daughtry , rapper Lupe Fiasco , Pittsburgh natives The Clarks , country star Heidi Newfield and Christian rock band Day of Fire . FallFest 2008 will also offer a dance party in the Mountainlair ballrooms, a film festival in the Gluck Theatre and comedy shows in Hatfields. The festivities begin when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. Monday (Aug. 18).

This is the best FallFest lineup of my college career. Theres something for everyones musical taste,said Jason Parsons, WVU Student Government Association president.

FallFest is a positive way to begin the school year and welcome students back to campus with an event that is both fun and safe,said Ken Gray, vice president for Student Affairs.We always appreciate the communitys patience and understanding of what can be a spirited concert on the first night of classes.

Arts&Entertainment has been producing FallFest since 1995.

Daughtry has quickly risen to the top of the music world, fueled by success of their self-titled debut album. The record became the fastest selling debut rock album in history, helping Daughtry to become the top-selling artist of 2007. Led by formerAmerican Idolfinalist Chris Daughtry, the bands early singles, includingIts Not Over,HomeandFeels Like Tonight,all settled comfortably at No. 1 on the top 40 charts. The group is a three-time American Music Award-winner and was nominated for four Grammy Awards in 2007. Daughtry has toured extensively during the past year with big-name musicians such as Nickelback and Bon Jovi and is now headlining its own concerts all over the world. The bands follow-up to 2007s smash hit is expected for a spring 2009 release. Daughtrys set is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m.

Chicago native and Grammy Award-winner Lupe Fiasco employs head-spinning word play in his tracks, straying from the crowd which seems to be just looking for the next top 10 hit. Fiasco carved his own path to critical acclaim by turning toward lyricism and creative expression. His new album,The Cool,showcases his talent for storytelling. In the albums first single,Superstar,Fiasco comments on his rise to stardom.Superstarhas become a smash hit and has risen to the top 10 on Billboards Hot 100. Fiasco has worked with Kanye West on the popular singleTouch the Skyand has just finished up touring with West and Rihanna. Fiasco will take the stage at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh natives The Clarks are a staple of the Western Pennsylvania music scene. In their 20-year career, The Clarks have released 12 records, which have sold more than a quarter of a million copies, and even appeared onThe Late Show with David Letterman.Their 2000 releaseLet it Gospawned the hitsBetter Off Without You,Born Too LateandSnowmanand catapulted them to success with a wider regional fan base. Their latest release, a first for the band, is a DVD /CD combo titledStill Liveand features all the hit songs fans have loved for decades, including the classic sing-alongCigarette.The Clarks are pros at crafting indelible melodies, confident riffs and thoughtful lyrics that connect with listeners time after time. The Clarksset will begin at 8 p.m.

Heidi Newfield, formerly of the platinum-selling country group Trick Pony, recently released her solo debut,What Am I Waiting For,fueled by the hit singleJohnny&June.The track pays homage to country musics first couple and yearns for a love that is powerful and big, crazy and wild, similar to Johnny Cash and June Carter Cashs love story. Newfield, who is known for her explosive voice, rambunctious stage antics and unruly blonde curls, worked with famed producer Tony Brown (Reba, Brooks and Dunn, George Strait) on the record and says that her new music has soul, relevance and heart. Newfield is scheduled to perform at 6:30 p.m.

Day of Fire is a Christian hard-rock band fronted by Joshua Brown, the former lead singer for Full Devil Jacket. The bands debut self-titled album was nominated for a Grammy and won a Dove Award for Rock Album of the Year. Day of Fire recently released its second album,Cut&Move,on which the songRunbecame the theme song to WWE Unforgiven 2006. The group is scheduled to kick off the plaza concert at 5:30 p.m.

The Mountainlair ballrooms will be the site of a dance party featuring disc jockeys Fatman Scoop and Cocoa Chanelle beginning at 8 p.m. Fatman Scoop (10 p.m.) has been hosting a popular show on the nations top hip-hop radio station, New Yorks Hot 97 FM, for eight years. His show has become a syndicated smash hit, airing in more than 40 different markets across the country. His songs have been featured in the moviesSave the Last DanceandYou Got Served,and he has worked with many in-demand artists such as Timbaland, Babyface, Busta Rhymes and Nick Cannon. DJ Cocoa Chanelle (8 p.m.) is in her 10th year at Hot 97 FM, where she currently hostsThe Last Callon Friday nights. Many industry insiders consider her one of the most skillful DJs on New York radioso much so that people refer to her as theBest Kept Secret. VIBE Magazine also recognized her as one of the top 17 DJs in the country. Raised in Bluefield, Chanelle spent six years spinning for BET s teen talk showTeen Summitand was the first female DJ to land a prominent spot on MTV s Spring Break special.

FallFest 2008 will also feature two comedy shows by nationally touring comedians Mark Poolos and Jason Benci. Showtimes are 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. at Hatfields in the Mountainlair. Poolos has toured the country with his song-and-joke routine, melding observational humor with guitar-driven original songs. He has also appeared in three small films, made television appearances and was a semifinalist in Pittsburghs World Series of Comedy. Benci has performed in Las Vegas, North Carolina and Africa. He is commonly calledThrillbillyas a reference to a touring comedian who enjoysrockabilly and the American way.

The Mountainlair Gluck Theatre will be paying homage to comic book superheroes this year with a film festival featuringThe Incredible Hulkat 6 p.m.,Hellboyat 8:30 p.m. andIron Manat 10:45 p.m.

FallFest is free to WVU students with valid WVU student IDs. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. (Please note: the Mountainlair will be closed from 5-5:30 p.m.) A special tent will be set up in front of the Mountainlair beginning at 5 p.m. to assist WVU students with ID questions. WVU students are permitted one guest age 17 or older and must obtain a guest ticket at the tent in front of the Mountainlair. Legal beverages will be available to students 21 and older. Alternative beverages and food will also be available. The PRT will run until 1 a.m. Buses will run between the Mountainlair and the Evansdale Campus until the conclusion of the event. Set times are approximate and subject to change. For more event information, call 304-293-4406 or visit Arts&Entertainment online at www.events.wvu.edu .

* EVENT INFORMATION *

* ROAD CLOSURE *

  • Maiden Lane CLOSED Monday 5 p.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.

* TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS *

  • North High Street NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ONLY
  • Monday 5 p.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.

* PARKING RESTRICTIONS *

  • West Prospect Street NO PARKING Saturday 8 a.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
  • North High Street NO PARKING Saturday 8 a.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
  • Maiden Lane NO PARKING Monday 5 p.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.

* EVENT ENTRANCES *

  • North High Street (across from Boreman Hall) WVU STUDENTS WITH VALID ID ONLY
  • Mountainlair front door WVU STUDENTS WITH GUESTS
  • Guest tickets must be obtained at the tent in front of the Mountainlair. Guests must enter the Mountainlair front door gate.

* EVENT RESTRICTIONS *

No cameras, coolers or hard containers, laser pointers, video and audio recording, bottles or cans, pets and backpacks; no one under 17 admitted