[by Jane Ford, UVa News Services] August 31, 2009

About 40 members of the Cavalier Marching Band played Friday evening as University of Virginia students and faculty climbed the hill from the Drama Building and clambered down the stairs from the Architecture School, Art Museum, Fayerweather Hall and Old Cabell Hall, and strolled over from Ruffin Hall.

All gathered on the patio outside Campbell Hall at the heart of the "Arts Grounds" to kick off the new academic year and to celebrate the University's arts community.

The event, dubbed "Playing the Space," consisted of progressive events – each sponsored by a different department – to "give the Arts Grounds a character, both socially and intellectually," said Craig Barton, chairman of the Department of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, who was one of the organizers.

"This event marks the space," he said.

Vice Provost for the Arts Elizabeth Hutton Turner declared, "This is a first. If this is playing the space, let the games begin."

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