FallFest, West Virginia University’s annual welcome-back celebration, will kick off the 2010-11 school year with a concert featuring renowned hip-hop artist Ludacris, pop-rock band Maroon 5, singer-songwriter Kris Allen and British songstress VV Brown. FallFest 2010 will also feature RJD2 and Super Mash Bros. in the Mountainlair Ballroom. The festivities begin when the gates open at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 23.

One of hip-hop’s elite, Ludacris’ sweeping imagination and artistic complexity has merely accented his remarkable career. With over 12 million records sold, three Grammy Award wins, five BET Awards and countless others, Ludacris dominates the hip-hop landscape thanks to his unrivaled match of lyrical acumen, wit and imagery. A promising actor, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ludacris continues to make waves in whatever project he is working on. Known for chart-topping hits such as “What’s Your Fantasy,” “Area Codes,” “Get Back,” and “Money Maker,” his newest album, Battle of the Sexes, has just given the rapper his eighth consecutive gold record. Ludacris will take the stage at approximately 11 p.m.

Three-time Grammy Award-winners Maroon 5 captured the attention of the world with Songs About Jane, a record filled with hybrid-rock, funk and R&B. The multi-platinum album spawned the Billboard hits, “This Love,” “Harder to Breathe” and “She Will Be Loved.” The band’s second critically acclaimed album featured collaborations with Rihanna and Mary J. Blige, and produced the smash-hits “Makes Me Wonder” and “If I Never See Your Face Again.” Maroon 5 is set to release its new record, Hands All Over—featuring the new single, “Misery”—early this fall. The band will perform at approximately 9 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Kris Allen became a household name as the season eight winner of American Idol, charming America’s hearts with his emotive vocals and original song arrangements. During the show’s 2009 tenure, Allen’s triumphant run included studio covers of Kanye West’s “Heartless,” Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine,” and OneRepublic’s “Apologize” – all of which landed on the digital singles charts. Allen’s debut single, Live Like We’re Dying, raced up the Billboard charts and has received heavy radio play. His new single, “The Truth,” featuring Train vocalist Pat Monahan has received critical acclaim and is aiding the singer in his rise to the top of the industry. Kris Allen will take the stage at approximately 7:45 p.m.

British soul singer VV Brown may be a newcomer on the American music front, but she is certainly no stranger to songwriting and has an impeccable ear for catchy, toe-tapping indie-pop jams. Inspired by the 1950s, electronic music and retro pop, Brown has been named as an Artist to Watch in 2010 by various music outlets across the globe. Songs from her debut record, Travelling like Light, have been featured on numerous popular television shows, including Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, The Vampire Diaries and The City. Her current single, “Shark in the Water” has become an international success. VV Brown will open the Plaza concert at 7 p.m.

The Mountainlair Ballroom will also feature a dance party during FallFest 2010. Starting off the festivities is Philadelphia super-producer and multi-instrumentalist RJD2, whose lengthy career has earned him a spot among underground hip-hop’s elite. Television aficionados may know RJD2 from the award-winning Mad Men theme song he composed, but his talent is clearly on display on his latest records: The Colossus and Inversions Of The Colossus. RJD2 will perform at approximately 9 p.m.

Self-proclaimed as “Girl Talk’s hot cousin,” the Super Mash Bros. have taken the mash-up genre to new heights. Mixing pop and rock hits from the 90s with current Top 40 rap, the trio’s records feature songs that span the entire spectrum of modern music. The new album, All About the Scrillions, succeeds in what Super Mash do best—delivering the epic set ups needed for their audience to dance their tails off. Super Mash Bros. will perform at approximately 11:30 p.m.

FallFest is free to WVU students with valid WVU student IDs. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. (Please note: the Mountainlair will be closed from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) A special tent will be set up in front of the Mountainlair beginning at 6:30 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. Additional gate and traffic information will be released Wednesday, Aug. 18.

Set times are approximate and subject to change. For more event information, call 304-293-SHOW or visit WVU Arts & Entertainment online at www.events.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

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CONTACT: Ali Daly, 304-293-8222

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