KANSAN.COM / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010 / NEWS
7A
CAMPUS
Chris Bronson/KANSAN
Cult classic lives on three decades after its release
Kyle Reid, a junior from Wichita, presents his costumes in front of a casket before SUA's interactive showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" Thursday at the Kansas Union. Guests were given a free prop pack before the night's festivities. Activities for the night included a dance competition of "Time Warp Dance", a best costume contest and a showing of the feature film.
Halloween revives interest in film full of eccentricities
BY KELLY MORGAN
kmorgan@kansan.com
Few can forget the first time they heard "slut" lied in a theater.
"I was really surprised and had no idea what was going on," said Bea Kilat, SUA films and media coordinator. "But once I figured out what to do I started shouting along with everyone else and got really into it."
Kilat is referring to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," a 1975 cult film that stars Tim Curry as a sweet transvestite named Dr. Frank'nFurter and Susan Sarandon as the naive slut Janet. The interactive film, notorious for its sexually charged plot and catchy tunes, played last night during an SUA showing in front of a raucous crowd of toast-throwers and time warp dancers.
"The group aspect to 'Rocky Horror' just really enhances the whole movie experience," said Douglas Redding, the video store manager at Liberty Hall. "It makes it more than a movie."
Thirty-five years after its initial release, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" remains a hit. With popular shows like "Glee" featuring Rocky Horror-themed episodes, University students are familiar with the film's role in pop culture.
"It sort of has this mystique about it because it is a classic and has been around for so long," said Kent Szlauderbach, a senior from Wichita. "The songs are really memorable and it's just a fun time when you go."
In addition to its popular soundtrack, many students look to the film for an opportunity to
temporarily break free from social norms.
"It's one of those things where you're not just allowed, and encouraged, to be loud and obnoxious," Kilat said. "It's just fun to do something that you normally can't do."
Even students who aren't "Rocky Horror" fans admit that the movie is a big part of Halloween.
"It's a tradition." Szaulderbach said. "It's just one of those activities that happens this time every year."
Students who missed SUA's "Rocky Horror Picture Show" can attend Liberty Hall's presentation this Saturday at midnight. Props are not included in the $7 entrance fee.
- Edited by Michael Bednar
MBA students raise funds for health in rural Kansas
BY ANGELIQUE MCNAUGHTON
amcnaughtonkansan.com
The University's women's MBA chapter is hosting a watch party tonight in Lawrence for the second annual "Hoops for Hope" charity basketball game in Coldwater.
According to its website, the WEPAC Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and education to encourage women in these communities to take active responsibility for their health. The proceeds from the event will continue to bring preventative medical screening and cancer awareness to women in rural Kansas.
"Hoops for Hope" is organized by the WEPAC Alliance, which derives its name from the towns it serves: Wilmore, Englewood, Protection, Ashland and Coldwater.
Last year's watch party in Lawrence, which raised $1200, inspired four other watch parties in Topeka, Manhattan, Kansas City, Mo., and Iowa City, Iowa. All the watch parties will be competing to raise the most money. The winner will be announced during the game.
Benjamin Anderson, CFO of Ashland Health Center, said last year's event raised $70,000 and allowed the community to provide 100 mammograms, 25 colonoscopies and 50 pap smears. The goal for this year is $100,000.
Wayne Martin, co-owner of the bar, said it's always good to align with charities.
"Whatever avenues we can use to generate money for this is a good avenue," he said.
The watch party in Lawrence will be at Wayne & Larry's Sports Bar & Grill, 933 Iowa St.
LOCAL
Those who donate will also be rewarded. The Graduate Business Council will provide people who donate the suggested $10 with a WEPAC wristband and unlimited access to two kegs.
Debbie Filson, employee of Ashland Health Center and treasurer of WEPAC, said services can be expensive. She said that without insurance mammograms cost about $180, pap smears cost $139 and colonoscopies cost about $2600 at the Ashland Health Center.
Thanks to fundraising by WEPAC Alliance, women in these communities no longer have to drive an hour or more to Dodge City or Wichita for basic health services and are eligible to receive financial assistance.
"People couldn't afford it so they were just skipping them," Anderson said.
Boone Bradley, a second year MBA student from Wichita, attended the watch party last year and plans to go again this year. Bradley said it can be hard for men to feel a connection with the cause, but that the watch party is a way to get everybody involved while supporting a charity and having a good time.
According to Ashland city data, the 2008 estimated income per capita was $26,196, compared with Wichita, which had an income per capita of $38,552 in 2009, according to the CNN Money website.
Many students are not aware of these communities in need. Anderson said it may be hard for students to understand how they have affected communities that are hours away from Lawrence. But he thinks change begins on college campuses.
"Never underestimate what a student can do by showing up to
a watch party and having a beer and buying a T-shirt," Anderson said. "Students can move and change the world — they certainly changed ours"
The two teams will consist of current and former WNBA players, as well as high school and college female athletes. The University's band and cheerleaders, along with Kansas State cheerleaders, are participating in the fundraiser.
Ivanna Catic is a second year MBA student from Serbia. She is also a former Kansas basketball player and will be playing in the game for the second year. Catic said she has a different mentality during this game from "regular games."
"You're like, 'I have this gift and I'm really using it for the bettermeant of this community." Catic said. "We ask for very little but for those people it's like their life."
The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Midwest at 7 p.m.
Wayne & Larry's Sport Bar & Grill 933 Iowa St. Lawrence
Henry T's
1521 S.W. 21st St.
Topeka
Edited by Lisa Curran
(game starts at 7 p.m.)
Power and Light Grill 417 E. 13th St. Kansas City, Mo.
WEPAC GAME
WATCH PARTIES
Are you considering career in chiropractic?
Come and visit us at our beautiful campus in Overland Park
- Three entry dates per year
- Accelerated undergraduate courses
- A rich history and exciting future
- Scholarship opportunities available