A&O Productions is the student-run programming board of Northwestern University, with a schedule of concerts, speakers, and films that provides over 40 annual events of entertainment programming to the student body. Luckily, we were fortunate enough to sit down with one of the Co-Chairs, Danny Brennan, and get some more insight on what A&O is all about.
Name: Danny Brennan
Age: 22
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
Major: Industrial Engineering
Favorite song(s): Lovers’ Eyes by Mumford & Sons
Favorite movie(s): Good Will Hunting and The Social Network
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People primarily know A&O for your two main events, Blowout and Ball. What is A&O beyond the surface of these two main events?
A&O is constantly thinking about programming and entertainment ideas for the student body. Although when most people think of A&O they think of Blowout and Ball, there are constantly other events and programs that we are planning and working on throughout the year such as speaker series, film screenings, and new events with other Northwestern student groups.
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What are examples of some of these events that people don’t necessarily know about?
One of the most unknown events we have is B-Fest, which occurred this past weekend. B-Fest is a 24-hour movie marathon of “B” movies that are played in the Norris auditorium. This event is a long-standing A&O tradition, and is in fact A&O’s most profitable event. People fly in from around the country and the globe in order to partake in the movie festival. We have actually had a couple meet at one B-Fest and proceed to get married at a different B-Fest a couple of years later.
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Do you ever feel as though it is difficult to balance being co-chair of such a large organization in addition to other commitments?
It definitely is difficult balancing it, but luckily I’m surrounded by awesome members on the A&O exec board as well as the A&O general board that I can count on to fulfill the responsibilities. Plus, I’m lucky that I have a great co-chair, Cory Goldman, who makes sharing the responsibility way less of a burden.
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Beyond A&O related questions, what is one fun fact about you that not many people know?
I was actually quoted and pictured in Cosmo my sophomore year. My friend who worked at Cosmo asked me for my opinion on something, then next thing I know, three months late,r someone sent me a picture of the magazine with my picture and quote.
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Finally, what can we expect to see from A&O these upcoming months?
We will be continuing with our film screenings, the next one being Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” in February. Also in February, we have a speaker who we hope to announce in the upcoming weeks. Later in the spring, we will be having our annual Ball concert at Chicago’s historic Riviera Theater, along with other miscellaneous concerts and events.
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Make sure to stay updated with all of A&O’s upcoming events on either their social media pages or their website www.aoproductions.net!