Top 50 Series: 20- Go See The Guerilla Theatre At Least Once

Guerilla Theatre draws crowds


By Hannah Marcum
Share this article Published: Monday, August 31, 2009

On a stage painted with vibrant, rainbow-bright swirls, the first Guerrilla Theatre of the 2009-10 school year began with a bang.
Guerrilla Theatre is a student production of 10 acts throughout a two-hour show that occurs periodically during the year. The content includes monologues, singing, dancing, poetry and comedy acts. Most acts are student-developed and geared towards the college-aged crowd.
Glenn Halcomb, a junior majoring in theatre, is president of Alpha Psi Omega, which organizes Guerilla. He said while Guerilla was a unique entity on campus, it shared similarities to an open-mic night
“It is a great opportunity for artists to really work and showcase their abilities,” Halcomb said. “Guerrilla is one of the most exciting events on campus because it is a place where different people can come together and enjoy a universal commonality: art.” Holcomb said.
He said Guerrilla’s turnout was impressive, with more people showing up than could possibly fit into the sweltering Allen-Bales Theatre for the show.
“The line had wrapped around the building well before 10:30,” Halcomb said. “Unfortunately, we had to turn people away, which I hate to do, but we cannot fit everybody into the space.”
The audience found seats on the floor and along the aisles.
Before the show began, the audience and players were invited to the stage to dance to a variety of music ranging from The Jackson Five’s “ABC” to Flo-Rida’s “Low.” The students seemed to be having the time of their lives, and it’s difficult to restrain yourself from joining the fun.
Actors like Dianna Duffy, a veteran to Guerrilla, exude such a carefree attitude you would think they were dancing alone in their room with a hairbrush held to their mouth as a microphone.
The participants in Guerrilla Theatre all seem to have a close bond, sharing inside-jokes with the unassuming crowd throughout the production. It was a laid-back show that conjures up deeper feelings, laughter and insight then most professionally done plays.
Although Saturday night’s program only included eight acts, each performance squeezed some form of emotion from the audience. The opening act included a “gay-off” which ended with the winner having two mothers, one of whom was Madonna and the other Cher.
The final act included one man, a guitar and a harmonica. Lawson Hangartener, a junior majoring in musical theatre, performed singles by Ryan Adams and Ray LaMontagne, along with a self-written song
Hangartener seemed to capture everyone’s thoughts by stopping during a song and proclaiming, “Sorry I’m so sweaty and nasty, it’s hot in here and I’m a little drunk.”
The next Guerrilla Theatre will be October 3rd at 11p.m. To support your favorite Guerrilla Theatre actors in musicals, dramas and dance, log on to as.ua.edu/theatre for this season’s lineup.

So that's 20. Go See The Guerilla Theatre At Least Once

Top 50 Series: 47- Attend A Fraternity Band Party

This article was published in Monday's Crimson White
The Greek community was partying in full force Saturday night during the second annual Greekfest. Fraternity row was blocked off to allow thousands to gather to hear acts such as Azz Iz, Keller Williams, moe. and Robert Earl Keen.
“I thought the turnout was so much better than last year, due in large part to the lineup,” said Rob Sabin, the Interfraternity Council executive vice president.
This year’s “U of Blue” event was sponsored by Costa Del Mar, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Billfish Foundation helping conserve the marlin and sailfish populations. The Billfish Foundation is the world’s largest international billfish tagging program.
Costa provided free goodies such as window decals, can holders and eyewear retainers. Costa also held a drawing for free sunglasses.
The night was not just about partying. A large part of the proceeds were also donated to Magic Moments, a charity organization that is similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in that it provides wishes to seriously ill children in Alabama.
“Funds will be determined Monday morning when we can get to the bank and also determine the number of tickets sold,” Sabin said.
This is the second year Greekfest has contributed to Magic Moments.

The Interfraternity Council outdid itself with this year’s lineup. A popular act in Tuscaloosa, Azz-Iz started off the night with their hip hop, R&B and rock lineup. The Atlanta-based group will be returning to Tuscaloosa to play at Capone’s 4th and 23rd on Sept. 11. This was the group’s second year to participate.
Keller Williams took the stage at 7:45. A self-proclaimed “one-man-jam-band” out of Virginia, Keller exhibited his rendition of Nirvana’s “All Apologies” in his signature bluegrass/folk/funk style. A self-taught musician, Williams has toured with acts such as Umphrey’s McGee and the String Cheese Incident. Williams uses a guitar connected to a Gibson Echoplex Delay system, allowing him to play unaccompanied and with a variety of instruments.

Robert Earl Keen, who has been on the college music scene since 1980, took the stage at 9:15 with his hit, “The Road Goes on Forever.” A Texas native, Keen has a discography displaying 15 records and four top-five hits.

The progressive rock band moe. rounded out the night at 11. moe. has been around since the 80’s and, along with Keen, is a regular on the college radio scene.
Ben Black, a sophomore majoring in English, said he attended the show for the musicians, along with a slew of other students not involved in greek life.
“The acts are so worth $25,” Black said. “You feel a little out of place to begin with, but ultimately everybody’s really nice, even if you’re not greek.”
Last year’s acts included Sister Hazel and Blues Traveler, and Black said this year’s Greekfest was an improvement.
“Last year was okay,” Black said. “I mean, you can hear those bands anywhere, but somebody had to work to get Robert Earl Keen here.”
Security was tight on Jefferson Avenue Friday night, and only students 21 or older with an I.D. were allowed in with beer. Separate yellow wristbands were distributed to those old enough to drink.
“Even though they threw away my liquor,” Black said, “it’s been a good night.”

I'm DEFINATELY counting this as..
47. Attend a fraternity band party

Top 50 Series: 22-Try The Hummus at Hooligans

So! The other day they were playing the movie Up! on the lawn of the Student Media building and I took this opportunity to stop by Hooligans and check out the hummus. I am no stranger to Hooligans, but I usually just order hot wings or a Greek salad.
So anyway, I settled down in my lawn chair with warm tin-foil-wrapped slices of pita bread and my little cup of hummus. I guess there's not much you can say about hummus other than it comes from chickpeas and has a small puddle of olive oil on top. It doesn't really even have that much taste to it. Still, I guess it feels like a right of passage. I will say that I didn't eat half of it and was full!

So I guess that's one more I can cross off the list!

22. Try the hummus at Hooligans

Tommorrow I'll be posting my articles about my uber-fun weekend: Greekfest Friday and Guerrilla Theatre on Saturday. (Ok, so maybe I was a little sarcastic when saying that Greekfest is "uber-fun" but it was interesting enough.) So I will post my articles and maybe give a little more opinion that I was able to in the articles.

Top 50 Series: 13- Breakfast at The Waysider

The waitress looked over her shoulder at us as we walked through the front door from the screened in porch. "Ya'll just sit anywhere, Sweetie," she directed towards me. We weaved through the tables crammed into the tiny house-turned-restaurant and found a 4-seater in the corner.

The font used on the sign outside and the style of furniture would have fooled me into thinking it was a German restaurant like the one my mother, sister and I used to frequent in Texas, but there was no mistaking that The Waysider Restaurant served nothing but very, very southern food. As we sat down, I noticed we were seated by a framed picture of Nick Saban blowing out candles on a birthday cake. Framed newspaper articles and Alabama paraphernalia covered the walls of the entire space, providing an interesting, but maybe overwhelming, decor. Even a picture of former Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson and his father dining at our exact table was hung and we sarcastically remarked about our good choice of seating. Potted ivy snaked from hanging baskets from the ceiling, giving the place an even more distinct 'grandma's house' feel.

The waitress that greeted us came over to give us tiny glasses of water and stated that her name was Dixie. Fitting, I thought, since she referred to me as "sweetie" and even "honeybunny". I was in the mood for pancakes, which isn't unusual, and ordered coffee, blueberry hotcakes and sugar-cured ham.

While waiting for our food, I glanced around the room and was taken aback by the mix of people seated at 9 a.m. A group of post-menopausal women with their collars popped, for some reason, sat at a table for eight and handed birthday presents to the head of the table. A duo of men in their early-thirties that gave off the vibe they'd be into Dungeons and Dragons sat in the middle of the room eating out of steaming bowls. A lone older man clad in a golfing shirt and black sandals with white socks sat reading the newspaper. He was obviously a regular because the waitresses knew his name and he didn't find it rude to yell out to them across the room, holding up his empty plate, when he ran out of biscuits. Finally there was the college-aged couple, looking around as curiously as we were.

We received our food quickly and were not disappointed. The pancakes were the perfect ratio of fluffy to dense, the blueberries were fresh and the ham was so perfect it had to have been fried by my Mawmaw.

I left so stuffed I came back home and napped for two hours. I believe The Waysider is perfect for tourists looking to experience a little bit of Tuscaloosa, but it's also a staple for regulars- like the man with black sandals and white socks.
 
I will officially cross out 13. Have breakfast at The Waysider
One down, 49 to go!
 
Love, H.

Beginning of series: Top 50 Things to Do Before You Graduate UA

While reading the back-to-school edition of the Crimson White's Mahout, I came across a feature named "Top 50 Things to Do Before You Graduate." While scanning through the list, I realized that even though I've lived in close proximity to the campus for almost ten years, I've only completed a handful of the activities. So I feel that it's fitting that I begin my blog on a series that will allow me to try new things. Over the course of this year, I will complete as many activites as absolutely possible and blog about it here! (Where else?)

1. Pull an all-nighter
2. Step foot in every library
3. Paint up for a football game (or any game)
4. Play some sort of pick-up game on the quad
5. Go to Kentuck
6. Eat at City Cafe (and at least once for breakfast)
7. See an Alabama football game
8. Travel abroad
9. Attend an SGA debate
10. Study on Gorgas Library's steps
11. Try a sport or activity you've never tried
12. Have a picnic on the Quad
13. Have breakfast at the Waysider
14. Take pictures of all your favorite spots on or around campus
15. Get to know international students
16. Wear pajamas to class at least once
17. Travel to an away game
18. See the Million Dollar Band play on the Quad on game-day
19. And watch the band practice on a regular day
20. Go see the Guerilla Theatre at least once
21. Have a rack of ribs from Archibald's
22. Try the hummus at Hooligan's
23. Eat at IHOP really late at night
24. Eat at Lakeside Diner at 1 a.m.
25. Attempt the "Mugshot" at Mugshots
26. Tour the Gorgas House
27. Attend a show for a local band
28. Play an intramural sport, especially flag football or softball
29. Experience the student section at a football/basketball game
30. Go to a charity even sponsored by a sorority
31. Take a random road trip with friends
32. Once you're 21, have a drink at every bar in town
33. Spend time at the Riverwalk
34. Count how many squirrels you can see on the quad
35. Listen to the campus radio station, 90.7 The Capstone
36. Attend a performance at Moody Music Building
37. Study in Gorgas Library late at night during dead week
38. Explore a side of campus where you don't usually venture
39. Invent a game in the hallway of your dormitory
40. Order late-night French fries from Quick Grill on the Strip
41. Tailgate on the Quad
42. Take a break and float in the lazy river at the Rec Center pool
43. Attend a guest lecture
44. Do the 'Rammer Jammer' cheer
45. Wander around campus at night with a friend
46. Take a swim in Lake Tuscaloosa
47. Go to a fraternity band party
48. Support smaller UA sports
49. Take a haunted tour on Halloween
50. Write a letter to the editor of the CW

As I scan through the list, I see things that I've already experienced or that will be less challenging (Tailgate, listen to 90.7, anything to do with eating...) but there are also things that I know are going to put me outside of my comfort zone (Go to a frat band party, wear pajamas to class, attempt the "Mugshot") but I guess that's an important ingredient in the recipe for a good year: getting out of your comfort zone.

It should be interesting! Keep checking back, I'll attempt one or two this week..

Love, H.