Although this year's Winter Carnival theme, "Summitting a Century: 100 Years of the DOC," emphasizes Dartmouth's traditional outdoor events, students can find relief from the frigid weather with indoor activities hosted by various campus organizations.
This year's Winter Carnival Council will offer several such activities to supplement traditional outdoor and sporting events, according to Grace Dowd '11, council co-chair.
"Being outside in the snow isn't for everyone, so having indoor events is a nice way to balance [Carnival activities] out and make sure everyone can find something to do," she said.
Celebrations began with a screening of "Winter Carnival," the 1939 film about old-time weekend festivites, on Thursday night at the Top of the Hop.
Students will also be able to create dream catchers using natural materials, such as twigs collected from nearby Oak Hill, during a winter-themed movie screening tonight at Collis Common Ground, according to Sarah Frostenson '11, chair of the Council's arts and crafts committee.
"It's a fun, indoor way to celebrate the [Dartmouth Outing Club]," she said.
Frostenson is a member of The Dartmouth staff.
Saturday night will see the return of the fireside chat, a traditional Carnival event which was not held last year due to concerns about student interest, Dowd said.
The chat will feature a panel of past members of the Outing Club who will discuss the organization's history and its co-evolution with Winter Carnival, according to Carsten Hansen '12, chair of the council's fireside chat committee
"We wanted to remind people that there's more to Carnival than activities, like the chance to interact with alumni," she said.
Student Assembly organized the second annual Mr. and Ms. Big Green School Spirit Competition on Thursday night in Collis Common Ground, according to Uthman Olagoke '11, co-chair of the Assembly's student life committee.
The participants were judged in a dancing contest, talent show, question-and-answer session and a flair walk-off, he said.
The event's organizers hoped the competition would promote school spirit by bringing together students from different parts of the Dartmouth community, Olagoke said.
"It's a fun way to celebrate the diversity of the student body and show that students just love Dartmouth," Olagoke noted.
A number of student organizations will also hold performances over the Carnival weekend.
The Vagina Monologues was performed Thursday evening in Dartmouth Hall, while the Brovertones will host the annual Winter WhingDing a cappella show tonight in Spaulding Auditorium.
On Saturday night, the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble will present its "Coast Goes Latin" concert, featuring guest pianist Arturo O'Farrill, also in Spaulding Auditorium.
