Lauren Kosvic, president of FAME. Photo courtesy of Lauren Kosvic.

Local Joshua Tree band Gram Rabbit performing at the Clean Air Clear Stars festival in Pioneertown, CA. Photo courtesy of Lauren Kosvic.

Connect with Club "F.A.M.E." and Have Fun

By: Anna Altheide

Posted: 4/7/08

F.A.M.E. Connection, a club at College of the Desert dedicated to music, movies, and the arts, is a great haven for media and entertainment-driven students on campus. Lauren Kosvic, the president of the club, encourages students to join and get involved on campus.

Kosvic, 20, a media major, ambitiously started the club two semesters ago. On her embark to form F.A.M.E., she told The Chaparral, "I wanted to meet students with similar interests as me. Starting a club seemed like the best option to make that happen, rather than meeting students individually."

Although 80 members signed up at Club Rush, there are currently "10 very active members, mainly students involved with music and media," according to Kosvic. She added, "But there are also students who just want to get involved and have a good time."

A good time includes attending and promoting concerts and local events. Members of F.A.M.E. additionally meet outside of campus and are hands-on in the planning of future events for the college.

Kosvic finds the presence of a club like F.A.M.E. very important, especially on a community college campus in which more students may not have a connection to people of their same interests. "There are so many students interested in the arts who are working independently. Beforehand, there was no club that offered unity for them with one another."

The club has gotten exposure outside of the college through many local publications and news outlets, including Jack FM and the Desert Sun. They have been working with Musicians Outlet, Modify Tattoo, the Record Alley, and El Rancho Lodge in Palm Springs.

Kosvic said, "F.A.M.E. doesn't want to strictly stay on campus; we want to get involved with local organizations as well."

Future campus plans include a College of the Desert Talent Show at the Pollock Theatre on May 30. It is the first of its kind at the college, and F.A.M.E. is shooting for a full house. Tickets will be $3, and are available for reservation.

Auditions will be held April 11 at the Pollock Theatre, 6 PM.

According to Kosvic, the talent show is looking to draw students with an array of talents, "not only musicians and dancers, but juggling or yo-yo artists."

Additional campus goals that F.A.M.E. has in mind include a music event, which would take place some time next semester. They hope to include local bands and musicians, as well as local vendors for students.

To those interested in joining F.A.M.E. or learning more about the talent show, visit their MySpace at www.myspace.com/fameconnection.

Phone and e-mail inquiries can be made at fameconnection @yahoo.com or (760) 449-7303.