PHOTOPHILE- Rock this pitch: Ben Folds takes to the field

By WILL WALKER |
Published online 8:00am Thursday Apr 5th, 2007
and in print issue #0614 dated Thursday Apr 5th, 2007

The occasional sprinkle of rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the approximately 1,500 revelers who turned out to Nameless Field next to Memorial Gym for UVA's annual Springfest Saturday, March 31. Piano rocker Ben Folds seduced the crowd with a high-energy set. Folds noted that it was his first time back in Charlottesville since his Ben Folds Five opened for Shannon Worrell in April 1995.

Lots of excitement went down away from the stage, as festivities included everything from a giant inflatable slide to a Gusburger-eating contest. It wasn't exactly Easters, but it was a fun way to welcome warmer weather and celebrate the light at the end of this semester's tunnel.

Ben Folds hangs out in the tour bus with opening act Eef Barzelay of Clem Slide.

Warning: Ben Folds may cause side effects such as euphoria, giddiness, and uncontrollable flashing of the "devil's horns."

Folds gets animated for the crowd.

Shayne Shifflett took the first round of the Gusburger eating contest running... er... stuffing away.

Guoguang Wu and Luo Ruo blow off steam with some American Gladiators-style jousting.

Chelsie Sulyk gets airborne on the giant inflatable slide.