The COVID-19 pandemic that has swept across the globe for the larger part of the last year has affected virtually every aspect of life. Everything from sporting events to celebrations of life and love had to be put on hold to keep people safe. Life at Indiana University was not exempt from those changes.

Certainly Indiana University’s campus has many attractions like Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Memorial Stadium, and the Indiana University Cinema that students miss going to for social occasions. But for many, the Indiana University Auditorium holds special appeal. Every year students, faculty, and residents of Bloomington gather at  the 3,200-seat auditorium which, in the past,has hosted Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Ray Charles, Simon and Garfunkel, Jon Stewart, Steve Martin, and Maya Angelou, among others. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic the IU Auditorium staff has had to rethink the way they present shows.

The list of venues is vast and covers many of the popular spots around campus like Dunn Meadow, the Prebys Amphitheater, and the Woodburn Clock. With a variety of potential venues there comes an opportunity to present a multitude of events on campus. 

“It’s just kind of been an array of different things: yoga, movie screenings, live music– anything along those activities,” IU Auditorium Marketing Manager Ryan Sheets said. “Club and student organizational meetings… It’s been a space for folks that usually meet in person somewhere, in a house or in a lecture hall. They’ve been able to do it outside, so it’s been interesting to see the diverse lineup we’ve been able to see come to campus for these.”

Chi Alpha, a is an international and interdenominational student Christian Fellowship organization that has chapters on college campuses throughout the country. Since they normally host their services in a classroom in Woodburn Hall, Chi Alpha, like so many other organizations, had to think on the fly as to where they were going to be able to bring a large group of students together during the school year.

Both Sheets and Fipps have expressed the desire to continue to use open air venues in a post-COVID-19 era. The events have been quite successful and have yet to be the cause of a major COVID-19 spread around campus. 

It goes without saying that most people would rather live in a world where they could once again attend events inside their favorite stadiums, concert halls, and amphitheaters. Most of us miss fans yelling at the top of their lungs with the crack of a bat or when their favorite song comes on. Unfortunately that is not an option as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on. Alternatives, like open air events hosted by the IU Auditorium, offer a chance to experience some normalcy in a world that has felt anything but normal. 

If you or an organization that you are involved with want to sign up to host an open air event in the spring: look no further.