On the University of Wisconsin campus you might be hard-pressed to find students who aren’t avid drinkers. The university’s abundance of on or near campus housing and a thirsty undergraduate population combine to earn the university top honors in nationwide “party school” ratings.
Long lines at bars and house parties suggest alcohol will likely remain a staple in students’ weekend carbohydrates, but groups across campus are working to get the word out about alcohol-free weekend alternatives for students.
Brendan Fischer, director of the Wisconsin Union Directorate music committee, hopes Union South’s Club 770 and weekend music at Memorial Union’s Der Rathskellar will offer partygoers an alternative to heavy drinking. Fischer says the main goal of the music committee is to provide students with fresh, diverse and unique entertainment in a comfortable setting.
“Music is the focus at Club 770 and the Rathskellar,” Fischer said. “We mostly bring in nationally touring bands that you may not have heard yet on the radio but are definitely up-and-coming.”
Fischer said the music at Club 770 is more edgy than the music at the Rathskellar, which features bands with a distinctly mainstream flavor.
“The Rathskellar is different because we do sell alcohol to people who are of age, but it’s not a high-pressure drinking atmosphere,” Fischer said.
Fischer said because the bar is not immediately accessible and that concertgoers are not there specifically to drink, alcohol has not been a problem.
About 400 people attend each event and most stay until the music ends at 2:00 a.m., according to Fischer. He said that the late-night concerts at the Rathskellar and Union South are an ideal substitute for house parties and bars.
“If people experience it, they will like it,” Fischer said. “They are hearing nationally touring bands for free until early in the morning. It’s a lot of fun.”
Marketing and Communications Manager at the Memorial Union Theater Esty Dinur said she shares Fischer’s goals of offering students alcohol-free activities.
Dinur said the Union Theater brings national and international performers to an affordable and accessible facility.
The events are already popular with students, but Dinur hopes to attract more students to the Theater.
Half-price tickets and a newly implemented lower-price voucher program specifically target the student population.
In addition to regular programming, Dinur and her student committee organize a post-concert party for ticket holders twice a year. Earlier this semester, more than 500 students enjoyed free “themed” refreshments, door prizes and Latin dance lessons after Poncho Sanchez, the “King of Latin Jazz,” performed for a full house of 1,200 listeners.
Another performer coming to the Union this semester is Richard Goode, a world-renowned pianist, who will be performing on Friday, March 7 at 8 p.m.
Six-time Grammy award winner Doc Watson is scheduled to play at the Union Theater to a sold-out audience on the following evening ? Saturday, March 8.
“[The Union Theater] helps bridge the gap between the community and the student body,” UW student Lauren Brunstad said. “I overheard a lot of my friends the next day saying how much fun they had. And at least the cost of the ticket is worth the free food.”
Despite the presence of alcohol-free options available to students on the UW campus, some students say they still prefer the traditional weekend activities.
“I usually go to parties to get rid of the stress from my exhausting weeknight workload,” UW senior Kim Anders said. “It’s a great atmosphere to let loose and have a good time.”
