The Central Library mall echoed with the sounds of farm animals and shattering plates in the early afternoon during EXCEL Campus Activities’ Destress Before the Test. The event allowed students to blow off steam by smashing plates and feeding animals in a petting zoo. Mariela Hernandez, bilingual education sophomore and EXCEL member, said the event was designed to give students a break from their academic routine and a chance to unwind outdoors. The event offered a relaxing and engaging environment, with extra activities such as slime-making and painting. “I think the greatest attraction here today would be the petting zoo animals,” Hernandez said. Cinematic arts sophomore Kody Diaz described the atmosphere as calm but energized thanks to the music. Diaz said he finds activities like painting especially relaxing, offering a calm and therapeutic outlet. Plate smashing gives people a way to release built-up frustration, while interacting with the animals provides a comforting and soothing experience for many, he said. She said the animals’ appeal was their liveliness, which drew students to interact with them more. Those moments often spark laughter and connection among friends, making the experience memorable, she said. Nursing sophomore Phoebe Maughmer said she found the event on MavEngage while looking for something to do before a late class. When she walked by and saw the plate-smashing station, she immediately recognized it and decided to join in. Maughmer said the event offered students a much-needed break from the stress of finals, giving them a chance to disconnect from exams and projects, even if just for a little while. Nursing freshman Lex Aviles said he was drawn to the event after hearing goat noises and, being a fan of petting zoos, decided to check it out on a whim. “When you’re on campus, you kind of got the mentality of ‘Oh I got to study. I got to do schoolwork,’” he said. “And then once you see events like this going on on campus it’s like, ‘Hey, I can actually do something else rather than constantly drilling information into my brain.’” @tay._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Levitt Pavilion’s free concert season returns to downtown Arlington at 7:30 p.m. Friday, with Josh Weathers and Goldpine taking the stage. Every year, the nonprofit organization puts on at least 40 free concerts in three different series from the end of April to mid-October with the support of its funders, sponsors and donations. While the concerts are free for attendees, the pavilion pays every artist with the money raised. The spring series runs Friday through Memorial Day weekend, the summer series spans from June to early July and the fall series starts Labor Day weekend and ends mid-October. Each series features a variety of celebrations, events and artists. This season’s opening concert presents Fort Worth-based artist Josh Weathers, who combines soulful vocals with an energetic rock sound, featuring the husband and wife duo Goldpine, who offer harmonic Americana music. “We offer these concerts because it’s a part of our mission to bring free music and joy to the community,” said Angela Peña, Levitt Pavilion director of communications and program development. “It strengthens the social fabric of our community.” On select nights, there will be food trucks and a vendor market open by the lawn. The pavilion also gives local artists a chance to perform on their stage through the Share the Stage initiative, where musicians based in Dallas-Fort Worth perform their own 45-minute opener sets before the headliner during the concert series. “The purpose of Share the Stage is so we can help these emerging artists that are pursuing music as a career, help them reach more audience,” Peña said. Friday night shows will showcase local student musicians before opening acts through the Levitt’s Youth Spotlight program. Young artists aged around 9 to 20 will perform two songs before the opener. Peña said this is the pavilion’s second year hosting the spotlight program. They partner with three music studios to find artists who are stage-ready and want to perform. Parking is free in the lots surrounding the pavilion, and a map is available on its website. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended. “We want everyone to have a place on the lawn, and that’s why we do different genres,” Peña said. “We want everyone to feel like this is their place and it’s not just for one group of people.” Spring Session Lineup Josh Weathers featuring Goldpine 7:30 to 10 p.m. Friday Viral singer-songwriter Josh Weathers is bringing his soulful rock sound with Goldpine, the winner of the 2022 Rocky Mountain Songwriter Contest. La Diferenzia featuring Angelica y Grupo Moneda 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday La Diferenzia is a Tejano band that formed in the early 1990s and continues to play songs with heartfelt lyrics and unique musical arrangements. Latin Grammy award-winning accordionist Tweet Juarez and vocalist Angelica Alcoser make up Angelica y Grupo Moneda, a Tejano group that has performed all over the country. Kin Faux featuring September Moon 7:30 to 10 p.m. May 2 Kin Faux is a Texas/red dirt country band based in San Antonio known for its high-energy performances. Opening group September Moon is a Fort Worth-based band that blends Americana, country and rock into one sound. Countdown to the Cliburn with Clayton Stephenson featuring Jason Schilling Quartet 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 3 Jason Schilling Quartet opens for American pianist Clayton Stephenson. Emily Wolfe featuring Remy Reilly 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 9 Dallas indie pop singer-songwriter Remy Reilly opens for Austin-based rock and blues musician Emily Wolfe for a guitar-centric rock and blues concert. Eddie and The Getaway featuring Cole Barnhill 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 10 Country rock artist Cole Barnhill opens for Eddie and The Getaway, a rising alternative rock band that captures the spirit of youth and freedom with their pop-punk and indie rock-infused shows. David Farias Band featuring Los Juanos 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 16 Los Juanos opens for the David Farias Band. David Farias has found his sound through Tejano music while performing alongside his brothers. Walt Wilkins & The Ramble featuring Brad Russell Band 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. May 17 Country music artist Brad Russell Band opens for Walt Wilkins, who decided 25 years ago that he wanted to be a musician full-time, performing shows with his country sound. DreamFest 2025: Day 1 – The Drifters featuring Kamica King 7 to 10 p.m. May 23 Day one of DreamFest will begin with Kamica King with her jazz-influenced folk/soul sound and feature musical throwbacks with a performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Drifters. Food trucks and vendors will accompany all the music for the weekend performances at DreamFest. DreamFest 2025: Day 2 – Carson Jeffrey and William Clark Green 6 to 10 p.m. May 24 Singer-songwriter Carson Jeffrey is considered a true cowboy who tells his tales through his music. William Clark Green has been in the Texas country scene for almost 15 years, blending country and rock music. DreamFest 2025: Day 3 – Ram Herrera with Monica Saldivar 6 to 10:30 p.m. May 25 The festival will be rounded out with two Tejano singers who have made waves in the genre. Ram Herrera has been in the scene since the ’80s, while Monica Saldivar won best new female artist at the 2020 Tejano Music Awards. @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu