This year's Oktoberfest at ASU (beer not included), will feature a soccer tournament and a German rock band.
The German program at ASU will host its annual Oktoberfest on Wednesday on Hayden Lawn. The event includes an hour of a soccer tournament and a performance by Fleur de Lis, a band visiting from Germany, starting at 10 a.m.
"It's great. I like the unity of ASU," said Christian Rankl, the bassist and lead vocalist. "In Germany, you go to class and then you go home."
Rankl said he loves spending time with students at the German drama workshop class. He also enjoys the time outside of class and the gatherings of the German Club.
Fleur de Lis is a rock band with English vocals from Germany who is in Arizona recording their third album.
Three members of Fleur de Lis are students of the University of Regensburg in Germany. ASU has a student exchange relationship with that university and in addition Regensburg is the German sister city of Tempe.
The band members have been hanging out and helping with a German drama workshop that lecturer Shana Bell is teaching on a volunteer basis.
"I love them," Bell said of the band. "They share their experiences in class and help bridge these two sister towns."
"They are really cool guys, very easy to get along with. I expect some pretty good rock-alternative music [on Wednesday] with bits of heavy tones to it," said Richard Cordan, vice-president of the German Club who has been hanging out with the band members.
Fleur de Lis's lead guitarist Daniel Taeger promises a good gig on Wednesday.
"Expect some high energy rock 'n' roll songs with a very good-looking drummer," Taeger said.
Fleur de Lis includes Taeger, bassist and lead vocalist Christian Rankl, guitarist Simon Schlee and drummer Erich Mayer.
Fleur de Lis will also perform at the ASU vs. USC game pep rally along with the ASU's marching band Friday. Also, they will be one of the bands performing at the Tempe 2005 edition of its "Way Out West" Oktoberfest on Saturday on the main stage at Tempe Beach Park.
Reach the reporter at ljiljana.ciric@asu.edu.
