[nightlife]
theme
At Bahama Mama, an annual Lambda Chi Alpha luau, members and their dates scrounge up any form of Hawaiian gear that they can find and huddle around the bonfire. Contributed ar
Give standard parties true flair with a wild, wacky theme. BY KIM ELSHAM
Contributed art
The weekend starts tomorrow. Do you know what you're doing? You may say you're going to a party. Probably just another night of going to someone's house for the inevitable surroundings of loud music and circles of small talk with people you don't really know. Have we an idea for you.
Lawrence is a fun college town, but that doesn't mean you have to stick to the normal nightlife activities of drinking, watching movies or eating. These can all be rolled into one fun-filled evening with your friends in the form of a theme party.
At first it sounds a little like the Mad Hatter Tea Party your mother threw for your kindergarten birthday party, but theme parties are much more than Chuck E. Cheese's or Showbiz Pizza.
It's a great way to break up the mediocre routine of you calling friends and friends calling you asking, "What's going on tonight?" You can be the head honcho of nighttime activities by organizing one.
First, you must decide on a theme or concept. A common misconception is that theme parties require gaudy attire and party favors. Not necessarily true, but it is fun to dress like a rabbit and bring home a big bag of baby carrots, isn't it? But as the host or organizer of the event, you can make it extravagant as you want. Try to recreate entire scenes from the musical "A Chorus Line" or just keep it simple with a night of cards.
Meredith Vacek, Olathe senior, helped organize the kickin' neo-Marxist dance parties of last semester, titled Dance! Dance! Revolution. Held at the Pool Room, 925 Iowa St., guests were required to dress in red and black for a cheaper entry fee. A must-dance section of the floor with guards standing to force those in the area to dance, Vacek, and fellow dream weavers Mark Hurst, Philadelphia sophomore, and Justin Riley, Fayetteville, Ark. junior, know that the idea of a theme party can be difficult for people to swallow.
"Making it non-lame is the hardest part," says Vacek. "When people get there, are they going to be confronted with a bunch of lameness, or are they going to have the best time of their lives?" You don't need to stress about envisioning the party-of-the-century, but make sure it's an idea that ensures your friends' comfort and amusement.
"It doesn't exactly make it formal, and they're not exactly casual either," says Hurst. "It's a nice, lovely medium between the two."
Michelle Nikoomanesh, Overland Park senior, attended a rags-to-riches party for a graduating friend departing for New York. Guests arrived at a duplex with one side furnished as "rich" with wine, cheese, jazz music and guests in fine attire. The "rags" side had an average selection of average beer, and lots of junk food. Guests were able to dress to fit either side or dress with what they were comfortable with.
Next is choosing a venue. Sure, you can
have a rockin' party in the residence halls, but how exactly would the resident assistants feel about 50 students crammed into a 10-foot by 17-foot dorm room? The same goes if you live in an apartment or house. Make sure you know the city ordinances about noise level and maximum occupancy in your area.
Monica Wille, St. Louis senior, is organizing a pudding party. Guests will be able to partake in wrestling matches in a kiddie pool filled with pudding. She has decided to have it at her house, but is aware of the inevitable mess. "We're going to have it in the backyard, and wallpaper the entire house, except for the bathroom," Wille says.
And, if your budget allows it, you are most certainly allowed to rent out a place like Liberty Hall, 645 Massachusetts St., or the Pool Room, as did Vacek, Hurst and Riley. Once you know the size and
16 jayplay
thursday, september 11. 2003