the
SUN FLOWER
Nightlife Guide THE 2015
N
o matter your tastes in music, food, location or Netflix TV show, we’ve got your guide to nightlife in Wichita. Check daily drink specials, find out to protect yourself in Old Town and take a quiz to learn what kind of drunk you are.
Photo by Xavier Mortenson
Student musicians step into alternative scene, gain exposure with annual festival BRENNEN SMITH
REPORTER
@brennen19_26
Spending a rainy night under Kellogg was fun for organizer Matthew Clagg. The unexpected closing of a venue a few years ago at the last minute left Clagg and several local Wichita bands outside in a parking lot for the annual ICT Fest musical festival, until it started to rain. Surprisingly, that didn’t keep Clagg from having fun. ICT Fest is just one part of the greater Wichita music scene, which Clagg said is going places. He described ICT Fest as “organizing all the chaos of Wichita’s music scene into one, three-day event.” In its 11th year, the latest festival included 45 bands in genres ranging from noise rock, punk, hip-hop and electronic Thursday through Saturday at El Vaquero, a venue near downtown Wichita. Animal Parade The festival provides an opportunity for newer and younger musicians, such as Wichita State senior Taylor Harding, to We don’t get more want to be exposure and the next Foo experience. Fighters, but Harding is I want to play studying to be a more shows teacher, but he is also the around the drummer for his region.” band, Animal TAYLOR HARDING Parade, which ANIMAL PARADE plays alternative and indie rock music. Although the band has only been together for about a year, they already have
“
Photo by Tarun Bali
Animal Parade performs Saturday at El Vaquuero during this year’s ICT Fest. The band consists of Taylor Harding — a WSU senior — on the drums, Evan Ogborn as the lead guitar player, Stephen Bishop as the vocalist and rhythm guitar player and Nathan Sizemore on the bass.
about 600 fans. Animal Parade has been working on its first studio-recorded album. A CD release show is scheduled for 9 p.m. Saturday at Rock Island Live, 101 N. Rock Island. “I want to play more shows around the Midwest,” Harding said, “Record some more, get out there more. We don’t want to be the next Foo Fighters, but I want to play more shows around the
region.” Faux Reality Faux Reality played at ICT Fest last year. The band consists of twin brothers — WSU senior Thomas Hays and junior James Hays — and junior Garret Armstrong. SEE MUSIC • PAGE 2
Upcoming shows Animal Parade
Faux Reality
LIMITS
9 p.m. Saturday at Rock Island Live, 101 N. Rock Island
9 p.m. Oct. 30 at John Barleycorns, 608 E. Douglas
8 p.m. Thursday at The Rusty Needle, 1808 N. Plum St. in Hutchinson
Animal Parade’s first studio-recorded album release show
Visit fauxreality. org for more band information
Nov. 17 and 23 at Rock Island Live in Old Town.
THE STAFF:
EDITORIAL
Editor-in-Chief Shelby Reynolds Managing Editor Danielle Prewitt
A guide to the dating game
Multimedia Editor Xavier Mortenson Sports Editor Reece Burns Opinion Editor Alex Perry Special Sections Editor Amanda Hansen Production Editor Jillian Clough
ADVERTISING
Advertising Manager Jordan Becker Advertising Representatives Tri Nguyen Jon Snider
BUSINESS / ADVISING Business Manager Robbie Norton Faculty Adviser Jessica Bertapelle
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
PAGE 2 | NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
COLUMN BY
VICTORIA HENDRICKS
Mother Nature.
“
It’s a dark, cool night — perfect for an evening show and a stroll along the riverfront or for some fun with
Whether it is for the puppy love teenyboppers, blissfully happy newlyweds, or the long-running couple, there is always something to do.
Wichita, Kansas’ largest city, is home to plenty of attractions for any couple looking to explore, grow, learn and have fun. Whether it is for the puppy
love teenyboppers, blissfully happy newlyweds, or the long-running couple, there is always something to do. The outdoorsy couple There is no comparison to nature’s landscapes for this couple. The Sedgwick County Zoo with animals ranging from penguins to lions, or Wichita’s Botanica Gardens with colorful and lush flowers and trees, are perfect options for a date. With ticket prices at $13.95 and $7, respectively, these are outings that won’t break the bank. Dress cool and casual for this one. T-shirts or tank tops and shorts or capris paired with tennis shoes are a must. Ideal times would be in the spring and summer months when the weather is ideal for walking and exploring. For lunch, make it easy and cheap by packing your own picnic. Get into the spirit of
nature by including fruits and veggies for the natural feel. The uptown couple This pair prefers a more lavish outing. Bonefish Grill and the Wichita Art Museum are prime activities for this couple. Visit the Wichita Art Museum for a tasteful and enlightened experience surrounded by art pieces from local and internationally renowned artists in different exhibits, such as glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. Adult admission is just $7 each, and it is free on Saturday. This date requires dressing up a bit. A dress and heels or flats for the lovely lady and slacks and a button down for the man suffice. Afterward, catch some waves at the Bonefish Grill for dinner. Decked out in dim, dark and beautifully trimmed and elegant silverware and décor, this restaurant is hard to pass up.
Offering a variety of foods, primarily seafood, the bill will range between $40 to $60 for two. The hipster, intellectual couple A deep and meaningful date is a must for this smart and savvy match, and as proven, Wichita offers something for them, too. The Exploration Place is Wichita’s epicenter for science and the arts, bridging them together with exhibits ranging from weather to the human body. It also includes an IMAX Planetarium dome where documentary movies about animals or the wonders of space are shown. Ranging from $12.50 to $14.50, depending on packages, this is a winner. Dress however you wish for this one, and hit Starbucks when you’re done for coffee and conversation for $10 or less.
Advertising Consultant Madeline McCullough
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THE ANTI-NIGHTLIFE
Staying in can be just as rewarding Photo Illustration by Xavier Mortenson
Going out and partying isn’t for everyone. Some would much rather stay indoors playing video games or watching Netflix than venturing out when the sun goes down in Wichita. Here’s your guide to at-home nightlife.
OK, time to be the black sheep. If you haven’t noticed, this paper is about what there is to do at night. That is awesome, but sometimes COLUMN BY you just need a little “me” EMILEA FINLEY time. Does this make you lame? A hermit crab? Certainly not. The 16 hours that I’m awake — just like many other college students — are crammed with classes, work and practice. I get plenty of friend time between school and athletics. Sometimes everyone just needs a break. So, we’re not going out tonight. This certainly doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ourselves. We could invite the girls over for a potluck of snacks and watch a movie. Netflix is of course an option, but that’s starting to get old for me. I hate to admit it, but I have already logged too many hours scanning through TV series and documentaries. But hey, it is still available. I do like to check out the “Trending Now” section time and time
MUSIC
FROM PAGE 1 They have been together as a band for eight years and grew up and graduated together from El Dorado High School. Thomas said he thinks the beginning of the band was in middle school when he and James saw another student (Armstrong) wearing Chuck Taylor’s with flames on them. James walked up, put his arm around Armstrong and said, “We’re going to be best friends.” The band started off as a Green Day cover band but now Thomas
again. Our next options are Redbox or an iTunes rental. Both are cheap, and iTunes expands the choices without anyone having to leave home. As a girl, am I allowed to admit I like video games? Just as I cannot wait to watch the next great movie, video games are a superb pastime. I’m a sucker for Mario. I You’re not missing could spend out on anythign hours playing MarioKart that won’t be against my tucked away on brothers and your Facebook friends, especially the timeline two Double Dash weeks from now. version on GameCube. It is exciting to bring out the old console and play those games you used to love as a kid. There is also homework. Wait, scratch that. No one is allowed to do homework or Facebook, or any other social media. Again, this is your time. Stop worrying about the outside
“
said their sound is mostly described as rock with some jazz, but they’re trying to experiment with everything. “The sensation you get when you listen to the music is kind of like a dream,” Hays said. “You have little control over what happens.” You can catch Faux Reality at their next show at 9 p.m. Oct. 30 at John Barleycorns, 608 E. Douglas, or visit fauxreality.org for more information.
LIMITS
Wichita State junior Nick Hale sings vocals for LIMITS, a
world. We could listen to a new audiobook while trying to cook the recipe you found on Pinterest ages ago. Listening to audiobooks frees my mind from thinking about work or school. Audiobook.com is a great app that anyone can download, and your first book is free. “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand was my first pick. Every evening while I was making dinner for my family, I would listen to Louis Zamperini’s inspiring story. YouTube is another option if you want something free. There are audiobooks and documentaries. I cannot tell you how many track and field documentaries I have watched on YouTube (I’m passionate about my sport). Anyway, if you’re interested in something, search it on YouTube. Despite being the odd one out on this Labor Day, I just want to remind everyone to enjoy your time alone or with a small group of friends. You’re not missing out on anything that won’t be tucked away on your Facebook timeline two weeks from now.
metal-core band in Wichita. Hale juggles a part-time job, a full-time schedule at WSU, a married life, volunteering at a church and his time playing with the band. “I do [all of it] because I love it,” he said. Hale said LIMITS is supposed to be a positive influence in an otherwise dark genre. LIMITS plays at 8 p.m. Thursday at The Rusty Needle, 1808 N. Plum St. in Hutchinson. The band will also play Nov. 17 and 23 at Rock Island Live in Old Town with Dance Gavin Dance and Hundredth. “The (alternative) scene in
Wichita is getting better, but it’s not good right now,” Hale said. Hale, Thomas, Harding and Clagg were all in agreement: the alternative scene of music in Wichita is improving. Many bands can be found in Wichita at places like John Barleycorns, Rock Island Live, The Elbow Room, Brickyard and Lizards Lounge throughout the week. Clagg said he’s at odds with the repeated saying, “There is nothing to do in Wichita.” “If you don’t think something is going on,” he said, “no matter where you’re at, it’s because you’re not looking.”
PAGE 3 | NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
A rider and his ‘dancing partner’ Ride the mechanical bull like a pro Keep your chin down.
Keep your arm out and away from you.
Hold on
Club Rodeo bull rider shares passion for a wild ride SAVANNAH STEVENSON
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
Garrett Berry gets nervous as he sits on a bull before a ride. He looks at the clock. He looks at his calloused hands. He anxiously walks around the bull and looks into its eyes, begs for mercy and stretches before the ride begins. Finally, it’s show time and Berry thinks about little else except the ride. Ever since he was a small child, he knew he belonged in the arena. Bull riding captivated him before he even attended kindergarten. “I have pictures of me when I was a little kid,” Berry said. “My dad would get on his hands and knees and I’d get on him when I was 2 or 3 years old and pretend he was a bull and I’d pretend to ride him.” Riding is Berry’s sport. Along with rodeos, he participates in live bull riding at Club Rodeo, 10001 E. Kellogg Drive, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. “Club Rodeo is really fun,” Berry said. “It’s a lot different than a normal rodeo. There’s a lot more tight. people up in your face,
Keep your toes pointed out.
there’s people booing you if you did bad. It’s a good place to earn some extra money and to practice.” Every weekend bull riders compete for $1,500 in the largest nightclub in Kansas, and spectators enjoy discounted drinks, dancing and the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull. Berry grew up on a ranch near Topeka. His father’s interest in bull riding intrigued him. However, his father rode bareback horses. Berry always preferred bulls. “I always liked the bulls more than the horses,” Berry said. “First time I got on a horse he shot me about 10 feet up in the air and [I] landed on my neck … So yeah, even though they’re more dangerous, I prefer the bulls.” All his life, Berry has been active. In high school he played baseball and although he doesn’t play anymore, he coaches at Wichita East High School. He often tells the players on his team what riding bulls is like. “When I was playing baseball — I played at a 6A school in high school — I hit a homerun at a state tournament here in Wichita for the championship game,” he said. “It put us in the lead by a point, and I tell people that climbing on a bull is 100 times more exciting than that. There’s nothing like it.” Most people don’t understand bull riding other than the need to stay on top of a bucking bull for as long as possible — the goal being eight seconds. Berry said that being a bull rider requires much more than the notoriously famed eight seconds. “It’s not just about holding on,” he said. “It’s all about moving with the bull. It’s about balance. It’s about making moves. When he moves, you move. He’s kind of like your dancing partner.”
Illustrations by Jillian Clough and Amanda Hansen
Trending nightlife locales change with generation ALEX PERRY
REPORTER
@sunflowerap
From the Flicker to Doc Howard’s to now Public at The Brickyard, nightlife locales change with every generation. Wichita State alumni and former students share their tales of nights on the town during their time as a Shocker. When an independent art
historian started at Wichita State in 1969, he pledged to Phi Delta Theta, a testament to most of his nightlife habits at the time. Their main hangout spot was the Flicker Lounge, a bar that was nestled in what is now a small strip mall on east 13th Street. According to Jim Johnson, the Flicker was their spot mostly because a fraternity brother owned it. Nowadays, the Flicker is mostly
known for being the site of the grisly murder of a 20-year-old WSU student in a storage room during a 1988 New Year’s Eve celebration. Johnson said another popular spot was the Penthouse, a lounge located in what is now the international students building at the corner of 17th and Hillside Streets. Johnson’s high school band played there occasionally. “I had a lot of good gigs there,”
Johnson said. “A lot of fraternity parties would go up there.” Johnson also said Embers was a good spot to get a beer and a sandwich. According to a 2011 obituary in The Wichita Eagle, Embers was the first restaurant opened by Gary Cocking, who later went on to own Harry’s Uptown Bar & Grill on Douglas Avenue until he died. In the 1980s KMUW hosted a
music program called “After Midnight” deejayed by WSU students. Since then, Old Town in downtown Wichita and places on the outskirts of town, like Club Rodeo and the Cotillion, have become a hub for student hangouts. But with every generation of student, the “hot” location changes with the culture.
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PAGE 4 | NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Let’s find out.
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR DRUNK SELF?
Are you the love drunk, the chill drunk or the definitey raging drunk? We all try to categorize ourselves based on our peers’ under-the-influence characteristics. Find out which drunkard you and your friends are with this quiz.
1
2
3
Do you like to drink with people or alone?
Pick your poison.
Why do you usually drink?
A. With people B. Alone C. Either one
A. Vodka B. Wine C. Whiskey
A. For fun – at parties, celebrations, social functions, etc. B. Because it’s the “cool” thing to do C. To escape the struggles of life
4
5
How often do you drink? A. Often B. Occasionally / Rarely C. Any chance I get
8
6
7
What do you like to do when you drink?
What’s your go-to food with your alcohol?
Do you smoke when you drink?
A. Dance around and sing B. Sit and do whatever comes to you C. Act up and get into some trouble
A. Pizza, fries, anything fried and greasy B. Bread, crackers, chips, anything starchy C. Nothing
A. No B. Yes C. Sometimes
9
10
11
What’s your one trustworthy hangover cure?
Do you wake up alone or with someone?
Ever been to the hospital due to drinking too much?
Do you remember anything the next day?
A. A hot shower B. A big brunch with lots of water C. Sleep and Tylenol
A. With someone B. In a room full of people C. Alone and somewhere random
A. I’ve come close B. No C. Yes
A. Most of the night B. Every single detail C. Not one thing
Mostly A’s
Mostly B’s
The Love Drunk
The Chill Drunk
You have the relaxed, nonchalant, fly-by-night attitude people are drawn to. You have a quiet, mysterious aura others find intoxicating (pun intended). You can be found contemplating with your own thoughts or having an intellectual or philosophical debate in the corner with others.
You are the emotional, affectionate drunk other people generally like to be around. You’re nice, attentive and flirtatious, the life of the party. You’re usually the center of attention and everyone wants to either be you or be with you. Compiled by Victoria Hendricks
Mostly C’s
The Raging Drunk
You’re the type of drunk people tend to dread and avoid being around. You can get obnoxious, loud, mean and reckless. It’s hard for others to want to engage with you, as they never know what wild thing you’ll do. You can usually be caught breaking the rules, trying to defy gravity or starting a fight.
AVOID A WARDROBE CRISIS:
Top picks for looking good at any party We’ve all been there — a fight between the classic, little black dress COLUMN BY and the VICTORIA jumpsuit. HENDRICKS Deciding what to wear for a party can be time-consuming and nerve-racking. This is what you need to know to put your best foot forward with confidence to boot. For the house party The goal of a house party is to have fun and be casual.
For the girls: Wear a pair of denim-cuffed shorts and your favorite distressed band or plain white T-shirt with Chucks or Sperrys. This is a classic, cute outfit that’s practical. Add accessories with stud earrings for maximum hold and pretty nails. For the guys: Your most flattering jeans, fly shoes (like amped-up Vans) and your favorite T-shirt are the best bet for your night at this house party. You’re comfortable and approachable, yet stylish. For the backyard BBQ This can be tricky because
everyone is outside, so you must prepare to get dirty and smelly. For the girls: A timeless cami coupled with a cardigan and capris complete with flats or sandals are your greatest chance of survival in this outdoors shindig. Go for darker colors, too, in case of an accident, such as a spilled drink. If you want to go for something a bit cooler, but sensible, a sundress will do just that. It’s an upgraded style without being over the top. Accessorize with a statement necklace and sunglasses or a hat.
* Excludes Holidays. $10 for 3D. Does not include Directors Suite.
353 North Mead Street • WarrenOldTown.com
** $8 for 3D. Does not include Directors Suite.
For the guys: Cargo shorts, Sperrys and a breezy button-down will do just fine for your wardrobe here. You look presentable without being overdone. Accessorize with sunglasses. The formal party: This requires class, so getting out your Sunday best here is necessary. For the girls: A classic little black dress with matching heels is essential. It conveys simplicity, yet elegance. Accessorize with a bracelet. Less is more when it comes to this.
For the guys: A suit jacket, shirt and slacks with loafers will do the trick. Pair with a watch and you’ll be the one getting that promotion. For the club or bar This last party scene requires tact. For the girls: A cocktail dress and heels with a pop of color make you stand out in the crowd. Accessorize how you wish. For the guys: Your best slacks and polo will make you seem sexy but stable, a winning combination of comfort and fashion.
PAGE 5 | NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
WINES OF THE WORLD Students develop tasting skills in four-week class REECE BURNS SPORTS EDITOR
Wanna grab a drink? Follow this guide to weekly drink specials around Wichita.
@reeceburns14
Guy Bower has traveled all around the world. Wherever he is, Bower manages to pick up knowledge and tastes for cuisines, particularly wine. Every semester, he brings that knowledge to the students of Wichita State in his non-credit wine-tasting classes. Bower, who grew up in a family restaurant in Miami, said he began traveling as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, which led to Bower’s eight-year tenure in Europe. After his career in the military, Bower came back to the U.S. fascinated about wines. He began researching wines and meeting with makers in different areas of the country, working in retail and even participating as a judge in several major wine competitions. Bower is now a certified, international wine judge. In 2000, Bower took over teaching the non-credit wine-tasting classes offered at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex at 29th and Oliver. A basic and an advanced course are offered on alternating semesters. A new class about food preparation and wine is also offered. Senior pre-medicine student Gracie Palmer said she has a scientific understanding about the way wine works. “There was actually a doctor I worked with who majored in beer and wine for his undergrad and talking to him about organic chemistry, he said it’s so fascinating to learn about how specific types of bonds can make specific tastes and how they can be altered,” Palmer said. “Ever since taking organic chemistry, my interest in learning more about wines has increased significantly.” Though the class may not delve into the molecular level, Bower said students in the basic-level class taste six to eight wines each week to develop a background of taste. “There’s no rhyme or reason to the wines I’ll bring to the basic class sessions,” Bower said. “The first class is all about the basis of taste — what impacts how we perceive and
www.thesunflower.com
SUNDAY Half-price drinks at Jerry’s Bar & Grill, 630 N. Robin $3.50 Bloody Mary drinks at The Vagabond, 614 W. Douglas Ave.
MONDAY
Photo by Celeste Thompson
Wind Down Monday (half off full glasses and select bottles of wine) at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 10096 E. 13th St. N Half-price martinis at Mort’s Martini & Cigar Bar, 923 E. 1st St. N.
A variety of red and white wines will be explored in the Wine Tasting and Enjoyment noncredit class.
taste.” After the first class, topics become more structured in the basic course. Bower covers west coast wines, how grape wines grow and how grapes are picked. The third week covers red wines, barreling and fermentation. The advanced class sessions cover basic varieties. “One night might be about chardonnay, with bottles ranging anywhere from $6.99 to $29.99,” Bower said. “[The food preparation class] is about taste mechanics and the dos and don’ts of prepping with wine and
cooking with wine.” Bower said the class has been full every semester it’s offered. He also hosts a weekly radio show about food and wine on 1330 AM called ‘The Good Life” from noon to 1 p.m. each Saturday. “I’ve met so many people that have become friends,” Bower said. “I do it because I enjoy it, and it complements my radio show. But the best part is anywhere I go I run into people who’ve taken my class and talk to me even if I don’t always remember them.” Bower said people would enjoy this class even if they feel uncertain about wine tastes. “Someone who knows nothing about art wouldn’t appreciate a Van Gogh painting, but if you take an art class, you will,” he said. “It’s the same with wine. The more you know, the more fun you have with it in the long run.” Palmer agreed that with knowledge comes understanding. “I think that if I did have an understanding with the flavors,” she said, “I might learn to appreciate them once I realized what I was looking for.”
Introductory Wine Tasting and Enjoyment
«
TAKE THE CLASS: WHAT: A four-week, noncredit hour class The class offers an overview of wine, winetasting and wine enjoyment. Classes will consist of an introductory lecture followed by tasting different wines. You must be 21 years old to enroll. WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays, starting Monday through Oct. 5 WHERE: Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 29th Street and Oliver COST: $106 per person
Registration is required. Register at http://bit. ly/1HlQv04 or call 978-3731.
TUESDAY Half-price drinks at Blu Nightclub, 8715 W. Maple St. $2 Tuesday ($2 for pints) at Wichita Brewing Co. & Pizzeria, 8815 W. 13th St. N.
WEDNESDAY Half-price drinks at Rock Island Live, 101 N. Rock Island $2 off wine glasses at The Wine Dive, 4714 E. Douglas Ave.
THURSDAY Half-price drinks (excluding pitchers and top shelf whiskey and scotch) at Mulligan’s Pub, 8343 E. 32nd St. N., Suite 110 $2.25 domestic bottles at Shamrock Lounge, 1724 W. Douglas
FRIDAY $3 wells at Public at The Brickyard, 129 N. Rock Island Road. Half-price drinks at Dudley’s Irish Pub, 8550 W. 21st St., Suite 500
SATURDAY Bartender Special (varies week to week) at Heat Cigar and Hookah Lounge, 338 N. Rock Road. $3 well drinks/shots at John Barleycorn’s, 608 E. Douglas Ave.
Open to the public. — Compiled by TJ Rigg
PAGE 6 | NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Police: Arrive early, leave early OPIN Performing in withOld Wichita State’s S to avoid problems Town dance troupe breaks down social b 2
w w w. t h e s u n f l o w e r. c o m
Column by Ragini Venkatasubban
When my cousin Anjana and I founded Shocker Shakthi, Wichita State’s first South Asian dance team, in the fall of 2008, our only motivation was a desire to bring Indian fusion dance to the Midwest. Compared to other universities on the east and west coasts, which frequently host Indian dance competitions and shows, WSU didn’t have much of a presence. We wanted to change that. As we started performing around Wichita, however, another purpose came into play—bringing the world together through dance. Sunday, Shakthi per-
formed at a 9/11 unity gathering hosted by Global Faith In Action, a local organization that promotes bringing all religions together. The hour-long show included Jewish prayer, devotional Christian songs, Islamic expression and Hindu chanting. Our dance team, which is made up of many different cultures, chose three songs that represent remembrance, struggle and hope—the three themes of the event. After our performance, many people congratulated us for showing them a snippet of our culture. What really struck us, however, were the Muslim gentleman, Catholic woman and countless others who asked if we could teach them how to
dance. Forget what religion they were—they just wanted to dance. Dance crosses all religions, races, cultures and boundaries. Even though I’m Indian, I’ve done ballet since age 3, a dance that originated in France. I’ve taken zumba, hip hop, tap, jazz, African dance, belly dance, modern dance and so many others. Dance breaks down barriers because it’s only achieved by lowering your inhibitions—and when that happens, any preconceived notions about religion and race automatically get lowered as well. Take Shakthi—we’ve had dancers of Indian, African, Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodian,
Obama’s jobs speech str delivery, but weak in co Column by
Derek blair
President Barack Obama held a joint session of Congress on Thursday to share his plan to fix America. His plan was very secretive until the day of the speech, when almost
every detail was given to the press. His plan is ambitious. Nearly $250 billion in tax cuts, more jobs for teachers, firemen and cops, massive amounts of money spent to rebuild roads and bridges, spending in a new super fast rail system, and investments in green energy. All for the low, low price
of … $449 billion. Oh, and this would all be paid for without adding to the deficit. How can this be done? That is an amazingly good question, because it remains unanswered by the Obama administration, who say it will be answered “soon.” The only plausible answer is that taxes will be raised
Photos by Xavier Mortenson
Old Town has been a center for nightlife activities for years, but violence in the early morning hours in the last few years have scared many partygoers after bars close. Wichita Police has taken measures to step in to reduce the crime. CHANCE SWAIM
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
It’s closing time in Old Town in downtown Wichita. Police officers sometimes stand shoulder-to-shoulder under lampposts. Bouncers guard exits as bar-goers hop from place to place. High heels click on brick streets and excited voices shout across parking lots. Junior Alexandra Crow checks her cell phone while her friends finish paying their tabs at a local bar. “I’m not afraid,” Crow said. But that hasn’t stopped her from waiting near police officers in Old Town or finding a quick escape route out if someone decides to start a fight or a shooting breaks out, and to avoid being hit on. “There is always a risk,” Crow said. “My boyfriend’s friend, Kolby, got killed here. And he wasn’t even involved in the fight that was going on at the time.” Violence in Old Town reached a critical point two years ago when a gunman opened fire into a crowd of people gathered in a parking lot after the clubs closed, wounding six people and killing 25-year-old Kolby Hopkins. This, and other crimes involving large groups congregating in the area after closing time, prompted a change in city ordinances. “It’s calmed down ridiculously in the last year or so,” said bartender Wesley Wallace, who’s worked in Old Town for four years. Wichita Police now usher people out of the area in a quick and safe manner after the bars close, Wallace said. “They keep people down here really safe now, and I think they do a hell of a job,” he said. Wallace said he thinks the drop in crime can be attributed, at least partially, to the new group of people who come to Old Town. “The same people from [ages] 21 to 24 aren’t the same people from three years ago,” he said. “Different generations are
“
It’s calmed down ridiculously in the last year or so.” WESLEY WALLACE
OLD TOWN BARTENDER
different. People get burnt out and a new group of people comes in.” In May 2014, Wichita City Council voted unanimously to classify Old Town as an entertainment district, which allowed a first-time offense for loitering to carry a $500 fine. A second violation would double the fine to $1,000 and carry a sentence of up to six months in jail. It would also allow judges to ban repeat offenders from Old Town, prohibiting them from entering the district. According to the ordinance, the boundaries of Old Town are Central Avenue North, Douglas Avenue South, Wabash Avenue East and St. Francis Street West. The bars and clubs in Old Town stagger their last call times so not everyone leaves at the same time, Wallace said. Wichita Police Lt. James Espinoza said students who want to be safe and avoid trouble in Old Town should make sure they are of legal age (no fake identification), do not drink and drive, do not bring alcohol into Old Town or drink it in the parking lot, do not urinate in public (use the facilities provided) and do not loiter. “This is for your safety,” Espinoza said. “Go straight to your car and leave.” To avoid most problems on weekends in Old Town, Wallace suggested patrons arrive before 10 p.m. to find parking as close to their destination as possible, and leave a little early to avoid the crowd. “If you don’t drive, be sure you know how you’re getting home before you leave,” Wallace said. “Don’t just hang out in the parking lot after closing time. That’s when bad things can happen.”
UPD gives tips on how to stay safe CHANCE SWAIM
REPORTER
@sunflowernews
There’s something about nightlife that coincides with crime. A lot of fun happens at night, but it’s also when people are most afraid and their senses most heightened or impaired. In a recent survey by Chapman University, 1,500 people of all ages from across the country were asked about what they feared most. People’s biggest fear, according to the survey, is walking alone at night. To combat those fears, Wichita State University Police Capt. Guy Schroeder suggested students spend the least amount of time alone as possible when they’re in a perceived threatening situation, such as walking to their cars at night. “Walk in groups,” Schroeder said. “Let people know where you are and when you’re expected somewhere. Let them know you got there safely. Use your cell phone.” When students go out at night, and any other time, Schroeder said students should be aware of
their surroundings and avoid bad situations. “The best way to stay out of a bad situation is to see it coming and avoid it,” he said. Preventative measures students can take include walking tall, projecting confidence, staying in well-lit areas, observing surroundings and trusting instincts. If students feel uncomfortable, Schroeder urged them to call for help. Schroeder said students should not let self-defense training or pepper spray give them a false sense of security. “You have to be of the mindset that if you are going to pull out something to defend yourself — like pepper spray or mace or something — you have to complete that action, or you’ll further aggravate the attacker,” he said. If all else fails, and you feel you cannot defend yourself or you get caught in a bad situation where you are being robbed, surrender what the robber wants and run, he said. “Every thing can be replaced, people can’t,” University Police Capt. Corey Herl said. “Your life is your No. 1 concern when these things happen.”
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
“
[W]e don’t want any of our students to run the risk of driving intoxicated.” JOSEPH SHEPARD
STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT
Photo Illustration by Tarun Bali
Shocker Safe Ride is a free service at Wichita State so that students will not need to drive themselves while under the influence. The service is sponsored by the Student Government Association.
Shocker Safe Ride provides peace of mind EVAN PFLUGRADT
REPORTER
@evpflu
Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash, according to a 2014 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Wichita State’s Student Government Association hopes to decrease the number of drunk driving accidents and offer courtesy escort services to students. Shocker Safe Ride provides students with a safe alternative to driving under the influence. SGA sponsors the service. Accounting for 23.4 percent, the rate of drunk driving is highest
among 21- to 25-year-olds, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “We understand we are on a collegiate campus, and students will consume alcohol if they are of age,” Student Body President Joseph Shepard said. “And we don’t want any of our students to run the risk of driving intoxicated.” Shocker Safe Ride is available to students free of charge with a Shocker ID. The service is free within the boundaries of 119th Street West and 127th Street East, 45th Street North and 47th Street South.
A $2-per-mile charge will be enforced outside those boundaries. Shocker Safe Ride escorts students home, which is not restricted to on-campus students but also to students living off-campus in Wichita. “Recently we have expanded staff of drivers involved with Shocker Safe Ride,” Shepard said. “Initially we were facing issues of students using the service being told they would face possible half-hour long waits. We don’t want to risk giving students the option. We want to limit the wait time to a 5- to-10-minute pickup.” Students are encouraged to use
the program between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m., 365 days a year; the service used to run only until midnight until there was an increase in requests. Students can also call ahead and schedule pickups. Scheduling starts at noon on weekends and 7 p.m. on weeknights. The service is available all year to students as long as they remain actively enrolled in classes. Friends of students are allowed to ride in the service without additional charge as long as one rider is a Wichita State student with a Shocker ID. Shepard said service providers
would not ask students’ age. “If there is a student at our institution who has made a mistake consuming alcohol as a minor, we want them to remain safe, too,” he said. While the ride is confidential, illegal or problematic activity during a ride may be reported to police or WSU, according Shocker Safe Ride’s website. To schedule a pickup with Shocker Safe Ride, call 978-7433. “We’re very proud to be sponsoring the service,” Shepard said. “Anything we can do to protect the safety of our students gives us great pleasure.”
Preventative date rape measures cause controversy TJ RIGG
REPORTER
@tj_rigg
Photo Illustration by Xavier Mortenson
Undercover Colors is a rape prevention initiative to make nail polish that changes colors in the presence of spiked drinks.
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The availability of a type of nail polish that can detect date rape drugs in drinks has circulated around the Internet for about a year. National news media outlets have given it attention and the polish has made its waves around social media websites, too. Wichita State professors and students gave insight into what these new technologies mean for men and women. When the nail polish comes into contact with a date rape drug, it changes colors. It is designed to subtly warn women if their drink is spiked. The nail polish is designed by “Undercover Colors,” a company based in North Carolina. According to its Facebook page, the nail polish allows anyone to “be empowered to discreetly ensure their safety by simply stirring their drink with their finger.” However, this preventative measure for rape prevention, and others, has caused controversy. A ‘conundrum’ Jodie Simon, a senior lecturer of sociology and women’s studies at Wichita State, said seeing several advancements in rape prevention is troubling because blame could still be put on the victim. “This can very easily turn into, ‘Well, why didn’t you wear the nail polish?’ or ‘Why didn’t you download the app?’” Simon said. “What more can a woman do to avoid being raped? It’s good to see, and it’s also bad.” Simon said she knows about several other technologies that are designed to prevent rape.
“
These This can very include easily turn into, brace‘Well, why didn’t lets that gauge how you wear the nail polish?’” inebriated a person JODIE SIMON SENIOR LECTURER is, apps that allow friends to keep track of one another and underwear that is supposed to be difficult to take off unless the wearer does it. Simon said the preventative technologies support the idea of rape culture. Rape culture is a term coined by feminists in the ’70s designed to “show the ways in which society blamed victims of sexual assault and normalized male sexual violence,” according to the Women Against Violence Against Women, a rape crisis center. “Think about what we’re saying when we’re building these kinds of technology,” she said. “We’re saying that a woman’s chances of being raped are high. Here’s what you can do to prevent this.” The only place where a man, statistically speaking, experiences rape as commonly as a woman is in prison, Simon said. “What we’re kind of adding, if you will, to add to our cultural worldview, is the idea that women should experience our society much like men experience the society of jail,” Simon said. “It’s kind of a frightening prospect.” Simon described the preventative technologies as a “conundrum” because by design, they will help prevent rape, but the problems focus on the victim rather than the perpetrator.
SEE PREVENT • PAGE 9
PAGE 8 | NIGHTLIFE GUIDE
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Here are your nightlife stories. From having a newborn baby, being trapped in the bathroom and drinking out of penis straws, Wichita State students have turned 21 years old in fashion. Others took it easy. No matter how they reached the legal drinking age, here are their stories, in their own words. Jenni
Matthew
Ruth
My oldest daughter was born the day before my 21st birthday. The hospital released us late the next morning so I was home by the afternoon of my birthday.
When I turned 21, my family and some friends from school that I met in engineering classes all went ice skating together at the Wichita Ice Center.
When I turned 21, I met up with friends and family at a bar around 8 p.m. and my mom bought me a White Russian to start off the night.
I didn’t care to celebrate in any of the ways many just turning 21 do, but I wanted to do something to mark the significance of the occasion. Insisting that I needed to get out of the house for a short time and that our daughter and I would be fine on our own while my husband stayed with our 2-yearold, I loaded our newborn baby in the car and headed to Dillon’s where I bought a six pack of beer legally for the first time.
Leading up to the day, most of my friends offered to buy me the first alcoholic drink of my life. I didn’t exercise any of my new rights that day. It was much more fun for me to have my friends spend time with me and their spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend.
Then I went back to my friend’s place and we took shots, made drinks and drank out of penis straws, did a photo shoot and played with balloons that we blew up.
SENIOR
JUNIOR
No, the beer was not for me, although, from their looks of disgust, that is what many of the other grocery store patrons and the cashier assumed. I purchased it as a surprise for my husband, six months younger than me and unable to buy his own beer. In retrospect, my 21st birthday celebration may not have been exciting, but it was momentous. I bought alcohol legally for the first time and committed a crime in giving it to a minor. Most importantly, my husband and I brought home the best birthday gift I’ve ever received: our daughter, Jordan.
Kari
JUNIOR
When I turned 21, I was taken out to eat at OTB and drank way too many Swirls Saying that, my best friend, Heidi and I managed to think we were locked inside the bathroom. Not too eventful, but still lots of fun!
SOPHOMORE
Nothing could have made me more delighted than seeing others happy spending time with those they love for a night.
Of course the night ended with everyone belting “Let It Go” and I vaguely remember going on a food run for chips and queso.
Susan
SENIOR
Natasha
I turned 21 in 1990! Twenty-five years ago.
Oh man! My 21st was pretty far from normal.
I went out with friends and celebrated. It was very memorable! It was the first birthday I spent with my now husband. We had a club we met at called Graffitis and celebrated.
JUNIOR
I had just moved from Kansas to England. I had been there for one month before my birthday came around. It was winter and I still hadn’t met anyone. Since I was in England I could already drink. I’m pretty sure a couple weeks before I went and bought some wine. Then my birthday came around and it was on a week day. So my dad walked with me down to the base club and it was empty with the exemption of the bartender! My dad bought me a few drinks, took my picture and then we walked back home! About a week or so after I began meeting people and went to all the cool clubs and bars around Cambridge!
The best memory was being surprised by a huge party with all my family and friends.
Nick
SENIOR
I think I worked that day. It was pretty anticlimactic given the 7,665 days I’d waited for it. I remember that I didn’t drink that day. I wanted to avoid doing something simply because everyone else does. Having the freedom to do something isn’t the same as having the need to do that thing.
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PAGE 9 |
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Compiled by Marissa Campbell Infographic by Sean Jones
PREVENT
FROM PAGE 7
“It’s nice to know that we are working on ways to try and keep women safe, to think about these new technological solu-
tions that could possibly solve these issues, but they all seem to revolve around the victim,” she said. Solutions Freshman jazz studies major Megan Plantz said the nail polish is useful because it is
discreet. And, it can save a life. “Somebody’s going to be protected and that’s all that matters,” Plantz said. “You’re helping one person from not being raped or drugged then it pays for itself, really.” To solve the bigger issue at hand, preventing potential rapists from raping, Plantz said, is to start educating young people. Plantz does not agree with society’s narrow definition of a
man, and that feminine men are not men. “By demonizing a woman, you’re not making yourself look any better,” she said. By starting young, Plantz said the bigger problem begins to disappear. “It’s going to help when you teach a 5- or 6-year-old that, ‘This girl is just as much important and just as valuable to the world as you are,’” she said. Simon suggested creating
preventative measures for men, too. She said the No. 1 “rape drug” is alcohol, because it often blurs the line of consent. “Yes means yes, no means no,” she said. “Add alcohol and it gets confusing. Is there a way we can have a ‘good to go’ app for men that allows men to be aware of when they’re becoming inebriated?” To learn more about Undercover Colors, visit undercovercolors.com.
SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? tweet at us! @sunflowernews Follow us for continuous news updates.
See India in a whole new way.
POSTDATE
Photography and Inherited History TODAY’S in ART India MATTERS.
TODAY’S ART MATTERS. ON VIEW FALL OPENING RECEPTION TODAY’S ART MATTERS.13 12–December Friday, September 11 | 7-9 P.M. September TODAY’S ART MATTERS. TODAY’S ART MATTERS. Museum Hours Tuesday–Friday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday–Sunday: 1–5 p.m. The Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection is always open, always free.
ulrich.wichita.edu/postdate Free Admission | 1845 Fairmount
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FREE to students with WSU I.D. and their accompanying guests. POSTDATE was organized collaboratively by the San Jose Museum of Art and the Ulrich Museum of Art. This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, Kaushie Adiseshan and Anand Rajaraman, Tad Freese, Yvonne and Mike Nevens, Dipti and Rakesh Mathur, the Asian Cultural Council, and Christie’s.
The Ulrich Museum of Art presentation has been generously supported by Mickey Armstrong, Bill and Donna Ard, Gridley Family Foundation, Richard D. Smith and Sondra M. Langel, John and Nancy Brammer, Norma Greever, Gyan and Manorama Khicha, Nancy and Tom Martin, Ron and Lee Starkel, George and Eleanor Lucas, and the Ulrich Alliance through A SculpTour Affair gala. Program support provided by the Kansas Humanities Council, the City of Wichita and Wichita State University. IMAGE: Pushpamala N., The Native Types—Yogini (after a 16th-century Deccani painting), 2001. From the project “Native Women of South India: Manners and Customs,” 2000–2004. Chromogenic print on metallic paper, 22 x 17 1/2 in. Collection of Dipti and Rakesh Mathur. © Pushpamala N., 2001 Courtesy of the artist and Nature Morte, New Delhi.