The Inter Fraternity and Sorority Council’s attempt to draw prospective Greek members to its annual barbeque was smothered Saturday, as rain forced the event indoors.

The barbecue, designed to introduce students to Boston University’s fraternities and sororities, faced a smaller attendance than expected due to the weather and was moved indoors to Sargent Gym.

“The idea was to have a fall recruit for new members,” said Lynn Creamer, a junior in the School of Management and the President of the Pan-Hellenic Council. “We wanted to bring people together and have a fun time before the upcoming events.”

IFC President Jarret Schumacher said he looked to use the event to announce the year’s beginning and promote the Greek system.

“It’s a kick-off to the year,” Schumacher said. “[The event] is open to the entire school; it gets our names out.”

The barbecue targeted any students looking to rush in upcoming weeks as well as anyone looking for more information about Greek life.

Although the event was not well-attended, some students, such as College of Communication freshman Daisy Shaw, said the event gave her a better look at BU’s Greek system.

“All of the women in sororities seem like family,” Shaw said. “Everyone seems very close. I didn’t realize how many sororities there actually were.”

-Kimmy Cunningham

HEMPFEST CANCELLED

The Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition was forced to cancel its 15th annual Hempfest rally because of heavy rain and wind on Saturday.

The Coalition campaigns for expanding medical marijuana programs, the legalization of hemp agriculture and other marijuana-related issues. The rally, which attracted over 50,000 people last year, is held to promote marijuana legalization.

This year’s themes were going to be “Roll the Vote” and “Please Tax Us” as pot smokers asked legislators to permit marijuana use. The rally, which was set to begin at noon, would have featured speakers from the Drug Policy Alliance, Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Cannabis Reform Coalition, bands such as The Halogens, The Foundation, Jake Brennan and the Confidence Men and Three Day Threshold and events such as a Hemp Fashion Show.

Sponsored by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, High Times magazine and The Tripatourium, the rally also would have featured a number of vendors selling food, T-shirts, posters and more.

The rally was not rescheduled, but will take place again next year on Sept. 17.

The Massachusetts coalition relies on contributions from Hempfest to promote its cause and is asking for gifts to make up for donations they would have received at the event.

-Jessica Kribbs

NORTHEASTERN RHYMES TO A DIFFERENT BEAT

Busta Rhymes and Method Man performed to a crowd of 5,000 Northeastern University students on Saturday.

Northeastern administrators organized the concert after canceling a planned appearance by Ludacris in April because of rowdy student behavior, which led to the death of a student’s brother during a post-Super Bowl celebration

“This concert was a postponement and it was always noted that it would be a postponement,” said NU spokesman Steve Sylven.

The Council of University Programs, which organized the event, negotiated with R’B artist Wyclef Jean, but Jean cancelled a week before the performance because of scheduling conflicts.

Before the show, which was held at Northeastern’s Matthews Arena, university officials told students “there is a no tolerance policy” for misbehavior, Sylven said.

Boston Public Officers and Northeastern police worked together to ensure the event stayed in control. There were no arrests or problems.

Tickets were $5 and available only to Northeastern students.

-Yumi Izumi

RED SOX, YANKEES MATCH UP

Blue and red filled the George Sherman Union this weekend as diehard baseball fans watched the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox duke it out in another three-game set.

Boston University students packed the GSU ballroom Friday night as free hot dogs, popcorn, soda and a large projection screen provided an oasis for Yankee and Sox fans alike.

Stephanie Chau said Friday night’s game was the perfect introduction for the College of Arts and Sciences freshman from California, because she had never experienced the East Coast rivalry.

“It’s really exciting,” Chau said. “In California, we weren’t really into sports.”

Saturday’s showing, held in BU Central due to a smaller turnout, hosted 40 to 50 Sox fans crowded in front of the main screens, while the 20 to 30 Yankee fans sat together in a corner.

Characterized by moans, groans and shaking heads, Sox fans called out to the screen in an effort to rally their beloved team.

Graduate student Sutapa Roy said she felt the event was a good way to “take a break” a break from school and relax.

Many students were riveted by the games and College of General Studies freshman Steve Thaw said he was attracted by the atmosphere and refreshments.

“I like to be with a lot of people in a centralized place,” he said. “I love the rivalry … and you can’t beat free food.”

-Christina Crapanzano

SHAKEDOWN

Friday’s Shakedown Street Festival night promised Boston University students free food, live music and vendor booths, while also offering the possibility of meeting new people.

The threat of rain moved what some students called a poorly advertised event from the BU Beach to the confined Back Court of the GSU.

Gillian Sandman, a College of Communication senior, said she attended the event to kill time before her plans later in the evening, but thought the turnout could have been better.

“Not many people I know would have thought to come to the Back Court,” Sandman said. “If it were better advertised I think more people would have come.”

The event, sponsored by the Programming Council, was planned to “welcome students back to school and a way to have fun on a Friday night,” said Programming Council Concert Chair Katie Muldoon.

The Homesteaders, The Patrick McAloon Band and John Brown’s Body were brought in to play for the evening, but technical difficulties delayed the start from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., causing many early attendants to leave in frustration.

The original expectations of 300 to 400 people turned out to be less than 100.

College of Engineering freshman Carlos Santa said he used the event as a way to meet new people.

“I wanted to try something different this weekend and get out on my own,” he said. “I like the music and the atmosphere.”

The Shakedown Street Festival, the year’s first concert, is one of a series of welcome-back events for students during the first few weeks of school following the last weekend’s drive-in movie and Splash.

-Johanna Rangel