What do line dancing, a finish-the-lyrics challenge, and a Cinco de Mayo celebration have in common?
All are upcoming events for Broad Street Underground’s Thursday College nights. Hillsdale’s newly-organized Event Planning Team, which has the task of organizing College Night and improving college attendance rates through marketing and social media, has a slew of fun activities planned for this semester’s remaining College Nights.
Junior Kelli Eddie, one of the four members of the planning committee, shared a few goals set during their first meeting.
“Our goal for Broad Street was to make sure everyone knows that we have a fun College Night event going on every Thursday,” Eddie said. “Sometimes people have a crazy week, but during the more manageable ones, we want them to always have College Night to look forward to.”
The team plans to provide a better college atmosphere by extending kitchen hours and offering more drink specials, encouraging students to stop by for a study break and a meal.
“We are working with Broad Street to provide kitchen hours catering to college students’ schedules, allowing for the Underground to be utilized as a college spot similar to A.J.’s or Jilly Beans,” senior Danielle Adams, the committee’s live music coordinator, said. “We want to integrate college students with the town of Hillsdale while also providing a concert venue for aspiring, young musicians.”
The team is continuing Broad Street’s tradition of College Night jazz, and will also host a blues- and bluegrass-themed night, holiday celebrations, and more. The members are open to the input of other students as they choose future events and performers. For example, one of their most recent events, Finish the Lyrics, is returning in April due to popular demand.
“We aimed to pull students from different social groups by offering various event types rather than just relying on regulars,” Adams said. “Interactive and club-sponsored events expose newcomers to Broad Street as an option to hang out, play pool, and enjoy being off campus.”
Mills said the team’s goal is to give Broad Street the reputation of a guaranteed good time, whether it be through live performances, interactive game nights, or just as a place to hang out.
“I want to incorporate Broad Street into the cultural experience of Hillsdale College so that students regularly attend College Night,” junior Timmy Mills, the group’s social media coordinator, said. “In short, I want to make Broad Street the best bar in Hillsdale.”
Broad Street will host events throughout the remainder of the calendar year, while the Event Planning Team will arrange events just until graduation week.