Local university students who want to carve up the ice this season can skate at a reduced price during The Boston Common Frog Pond’s weekly College Night.
As part of the first annual weekly College Night, starting Tuesday, Nov. 15, students can show student IDs for reduced admission, cut to $2 from the regular adult price of $5. Skate rentals are also available for $9.
Betty Fulton, manager of Commonwealth Promotion, Inc., said that at College Night, “Emerson College’s WERS 88.9FM will be programming an interesting mix of alternative, indie rock, reggae and hip hop.”
She also said that there would be a few “surprises” throughout the night.
The $2 College Night at the Frog Pond Facebook page is asking students for music requests.
In addition to music and skating, The Frog Pond Café will be open, serving grilled cheese, Belgian waffles and other snacks.
“On future dates in the season, we plan to have trivia contests and possibly performances by area college figure skating clubs,” Fulton said.
However, temperatures in the 60s could affect the ice on College Night.
“If it remains very tropical, as it is now, we will have to postpone the first College Night until Tuesday, Nov. 22,” Fulton said.
She said that officials would determine any changes in date by Monday night, but the season opening celebration is still scheduled for Friday.
The Frog Pond Skating season officially opens with its Opening Night Skating Spectacular: “Skating Under the Stars” on Friday. There will be free admission for all, with skate rentals at their usual price.
Mayor Thomas Menino, Boston Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak and The Skating Club of Boston President Joseph Blount will host the opening.
The skate show will feature pairs teams, synchronized skating and champion singles skaters before the rink is open to public skaters later in the evening.
Metal-winning skaters such as Ross Miner, Marissa Castelli, Simon Schnapir, Isabelle Dost and Bennett Gotlieb will be performing at the opening ceremony.
Students from the Frog Pond’s Skating Academy will also perform at the opening.
Boston University College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Nadeem Istfan said that last winter, he had a fun time skating.
“My rental skates didn’t fit my feet very well so it hurt a lot, but it was worth it,” he said.
Though Istfan said he did not know about the College Night discount, he said that discount or not, there are usually a lot of people skating on the Frog Pond in the winter.
“I haven’t been there recently,” said BU College of Engineering freshman Mounika Vutukuru. “Last I went was when I was a kid, around nine or 10, but it was so fun.”
Other students said they agreed that College Night would be a good time.
“It’s awesome,” said CAS freshman Karla Brandao. “Everyone should definitely go if they get the chance.”
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