PLAY
Photo illustration by Travis Young
A night on the couch: Going out on the weekends isn't the only thing to do in Lawrence. Renting a movie from Liberty Hall with some friends can be just as much fun without breaking your wallet.
// MICHAEL BEDNAR
BEYOND LAWRENCE
// For some bowling in the midst of the bustling Power & Light District, check out Lucky Strike Lanes, 1370 Grand Blvd.
Perhaps these Lawrence excursions aren't enough for your curious soul, and you need something a little more unexpected. Here are a few fun ideas along the same lines in Kansas City if you feel the need to escape Lawrence's cramped streets.
// For some more obscure, off the beaten path movies, head over to the Tivoli Theatre, 4050 Pennsylvania St.
// In the mood for an outdoorsy adventure, but not the high-maintenance of a camping trip? Try the Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Dr., to spend your afternoon amidst a variety of the creatures in the animal kingdom.
Perhaps someone in your friend group doggedly refuses to turn 21 less than several months after the rest of you. Perhaps you're running low on money and can't afford to spend $30 on rum and Cokes and cover charge, dancing the night away to the ghosts of Motown at the Taproom like you usually would on a Saturday night. Or perhaps ennui has set in and nothing sounds fun; you've done it all, been to all the best bars, seen all the sights. You're jaded and disaffected when it comes to Lawrence nightlife.
Don't despair. Though KU might be one of the top-ranked party schools in the nation, and though Jayhawks regularly report higher rates of binge drinking than most students at other universities in the United States, an abundance of weekend options beyond jungle juice at a house party, followed by shameful, guilt-ridden trips to fast food establishments at 3 a.m., awaits you.
MOVIE NIGHT
Maybe you're feeling nostalgic for middle school, those days of braces, social faux pas and weekend nights spent brooding alone in your room, thinking about how you have
the worst parents in the world because they wouldn't drive you to the theater to annoy and terrorize moviegoers with your gaggle of 13-year-old friends. Well, you're a big kid now, so gather up your friends and hop in the car for a movie night. But, this time, rather than going to your local megaplex to see yet another simplistic, formulaic Hollywood film, head over to Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St. A tiny, cluttered little shop packed with movies — ranging from foreign obscurities to cult classics to cheesy '80s-horror films — Liberty Hall is the perfect antidote to the typical video store filled with blockbusters and questionable selections. As chain video stores shutter their windows, Liberty Hall has remained a strong stalwart of the Lawrence community.
Douglas Redding, manager at Liberty Hall, says oftentimes students come looking for movies assigned to them by professors that they can't find elsewhere, and from there, peoples' interest grows in what the store has to offer. "You want to be taken someplace else than what's expected," Redding says. "People want to explore."
Jordan Potts, Leawood senior, is one such person. She came to Liberty Hall to hunt for a
film assigned in her Spanish class; she knew other video stores in town wouldn't have it. From there, her interest in seeking out obscure or foreign films grew. "I'm almost positive that nobody would go out of their way to rent a movie about the revolution in Argentina," Potts says. "But for me, it's something I'm interested in."
CLINTON LAKE
If it's civilization you're wanting to escape, consider driving out to Clinton Lake. Oliver Hughes, Overland Park senior, goes out there almost every other weekend once winter loosens its icy death grip on Lawrence."You're breathing clean air and listening to the water lap up on the rocks," Hughes says. "It's serene and fulfilling. We always get into good conversation when we're out there."
Whether it's hiking, camping, picnicking or even canoeing, the grounds of Clinton Lake has a wide array of outdoorsy experiences awaiting you. Don't own any tents, canoes or sleeping bags? No problem. The KU recreation center's Outdoor Pursuits Equipment Checkout Area lets students rent out camping equipment by the day, week or weekend. Tara Daugherty, San Antonio, Texas, junior, an employee at the
checkout area, says on nice weekends almost all of their equipment is checked out. "I think life today is so busy and we're so far removed from nature," Daugherty says. "I think it's nice to get out."
If you're not into the idea of cult films and spending time with Mother Nature, how about some bowling? Although bowling was much more prominent in the 1970s and 1980s, Burton Gepford, manager of Jaybowl, says, some of its previous glory is being restored. "The technology has improved so it's become more competitive," Gepford says.
BOWLING
Never fear, though, bowling amateurs you don't have to be a whiz to enjoy the game especially not if alcohol is involved. Rich Edmonds, a customer service rep at Royal Crest Lanes, 953 Iowa St., says droves of college students come in on the alley's dollar nights Monday and Wednesday. Ben Burge, an Overland Park senior, enjoys bowling at Royal Crest Lanes from time to time.
"I will say that I don't get any better after a few drinks, unfortunately," he says. Jp
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