The vast majority of the Luther community has enjoyed the performances of guest artists brought to campus by the Performing Arts Committee and Student Activities Council. Behind these events are many unsung heroes that ensure the artists enjoy their stay, but these heroes are rarely recognized.

Tanya Gertz, director of campus programming, usually hears praises from visiting artists.

“Luther has a tradition of hospitality and when artists hear that they’re coming here, they are excited,” she said.

Gertz also believes there is a direct correlation between how happy the artist is and how much the audience enjoys his or her performance.

Often hospitality crews on both PAC and SAC must go to great ends to make sure this tradition continues, since artists can be quite picky about what they want.

“Most of the artists come from urban areas and request things that we just can’t get here, like specific kinds of bottled water, tea and organic foods,” said Kari Myers (‘08), president of PAC.

Ben Folds’ list included a few bizarre items.

“It asked for a lot of organic foods from the co-op like Naked Juices and a lot of organic fruit ... [along with] nine black hand towels,” said Allie Fjelstad (‘08) SAC Concerts co-chair.

Though many artists can be hard to please, there are a few tricks hospitality representatives at Luther have up their sleeves.

Tiffany Choi (‘08), PAC hospitality executive, had an idea earlier this year to ask her grandmother, who lives in town, to make Norwegian lefse for the artists whenever they come to Luther.

“The artists loved it,” said Gertz.

Before Gertz was at Luther, her predecessor agreed to cover the entire CFL main stage with a sheet of ice for the St. Petersburg State Ballet on Ice.

“There were chunks of time every hour allotted for students to come during the night to spray down the ice so it would stay frozen,” said Gertz.

Another instance of hospitality was when Nickel Creek played at Luther in the spring of 2006: the band requested a massage therapist.

But despite the odd requests, this extra effort goes a long way for Luther.

“The performing arts world is very small, so artists pass on information [that travels far],” said Myers. “The Koresh [Dance Company] had a wonderful time here when they came and encouraged another dance company booked for next year to come.”

Gertz explained the company was not planning to come to Luther until Koresh told them about their experience.

The hospitality Luther provides ensures that Luther’s reputation of satisfying performers continues.