It’s that time of year again. You know, that time when you realize you haven’t read a single book on your summer reading list, when you notice your financial cushion no longer seems stuffed, when it seems the beer no longer flows like wine-in short, first term is rearing its ugly head.
It was my mission to begin the school year by focusing not on the overbearing burden of university itself, but instead on the multitude of arts clubs and groups on campus. I found an exceedingly diverse selection involving everything from dance, MC-ing, jazz, literature, sketch improv and, of course, the dramatic arts.
These groups are just waiting to be discovered, and we hope that this rundown of a select few will point you-whether you’re a first-year or grad student-towards a welcome distraction, a new community of friends, or just a whole lot of fun.
Who: Hip-Hop Headz
President Seshan Lokuge says: “If you are looking to chill, learn a few things, share a few conversations… or if you love hip-hop, you grew up with hip hop, or you just picked it up, check us out.”
What: A hip-hop collective formed in 2003 consisting of MCs, beatboxers, DJs, breakdancers, hip-hop dancers, and graffiti artists who “support and try to encourage student life outside of the classroom,” says Lokuge.
When: The group is currently running drop-in hip-hop dance classes Mondays from 4:30-5:30 pm at Studio 27 (27 Bloor St. E. at Yonge/Bloor) for $10 per class. Also, DJ Bowza teaches the basic fundamentals of DJing every second Thursday at 171 Huron St. from 6-8 pm for only $5.
Where: Check out the Hip-Hop Headz online at http://hiphop.sa.utotonto.ca and chat on the message boards, or send an email their way at [email protected].
Why: “Hip-hop has more dimensions than what the media has portrayed it to be,” says Lokuge. “If you want to learn to hip-hop dance, breakdancing, DJing, beatboxing, or even to make tags (painting your name in graf style), check us out…We have prepared an eventful year, so try reaching (out).”
Who: Only Human Dance Collective
“A performing group that welcomes all”: Velta Douglas, Director.
What: Only Human welcomes all levels of dancers-including us folk who have no ‘level’ at all. Note: there are no auditions.
When: The group (of approximately 150 members) meets once a week for a company rehearsal, but also breaks off into smaller groups with separate choreographers who occasionally meet more often.
Where: The group rehearses in the Sussex Clubhouse (same building as ye olde Varsity: 21 Sussex Ave.); email them at [email protected] or give them a ring at 416-707-9647.
Why: The collective attempts to promote the art form of dance by getting both those with a dance background and others with no experience to “perform on stage all together,” Douglas says. They accomplish that goal by performing an end-of-year showcase by participating in the annual U of T Festival of Dance at Hart House Theatre in April.
Who: U of T Jazz Combo
Founder and manager Karin Chu explains: UTJC is a very friendly band. We don’t do auditions because we believe that jazz is for everyone.
What: UTJC is a group composed of a lot of members: We have people from all different backgrounds joining us. We have science majors, math majors, students from Ryerson, exchange students from France, normal working people from Hamilton… Basically, it’s a band for everyone, Chu explains.
When: The meetings normally take place on Friday nights at 6 pm in the Dean’s reception room at St. Hilda’s College (44 Devonshire Place). The band also plays occasional gigs on campus and elsewhere in town.
Where: Contact Karin and the UTJC via email at [email protected], or check out the website at http:utjc.sa.utoronto.ca.
Why: Jazz is all about expression and improvisation, UTJC celebrates that spirit by welcoming all into its musical fold: Even though people come and go, and people come from different walks of life, we’re still a very unified combo. In fact, we’re like a family, Chu says.
Who: LGBT Dance at U of T
What: “LGBT Dance is the only queer dance club on campus, offering lessons, workshops, and club outings to the U of T community and the community at large,” explains Laliv Clenman. The group offers lessons in salsa, merengue, and the cha-cha. “Most of us are not students of dance at the university,” says Clenman, “though many of us quickly become addicted to the joy of salsa.”
When: New classes ($40 for students; $70 for non-students) start September 25 and run Sunday afternoons.
Where: Classes are held in the Cumberland Room at the International Student Centre (33 St. George St.). The group holds monthly salsa parties at Sylvester’s in the grad student lounge, and ventures out to clubs such as El Rancho, Acrobat, and Lula Lounge. Check out the schedule at http://lgbtdance.sa.utoronto.ca, or drop them a virtual line at [email protected].
Why: “The LGBT Dance club really is an amazing community that is very welcoming and supporting of beginner dancers. Our club nights and parties are fabulous, and offer an opportunity for queer and queer-friendly people to dance the night away,” Clenman says.
Who: The Gas
A new sketch improv group that “supports the sport that reports laughter to all sorts in a sort of a court that consorts with persons that extort to exhort audience members to thwart from an abort of the show through the use of offering substances to snort, and when I say snort I mean the short and contort comedy that is The Gas…ort,” offers founder Jess Beaulieu, tongue firmly in cheek.
What: The Gas is a group of funny people for funny people-mostly consisting of “arts students who want to escape the restrictions of Shakespeare and Margaret Atwood,” notes Beaulieu, making sure to add that “all are welcome, as long as we approve of you on a completely superficial level.”
Where: Contact The Gas via e-mail at thegas[email protected] (or use the “telephone if you can keep up the awkwardness that is phone conversation pauses,” Beaulieu shrugs).
When: “We’re heading for Monday and Wednesday nights, possibly in a secret lair which we call any available room in Hart House,” says Beaulieu, pointing out that the troupe hopes to have their first show in December or February.
Why: Why join The Gas? “There’s free watermelon for whoever joins,” Beaulieu says. And that’s that.
Who: Theatre Offstage
President Boris Treivus: “Theatre Offstage is the most dramatic group on the campus.”
What: “We always find ourselves on the edge of the cliff, even when there is a bridge beside,” Treivus says. How dramatic.
When: Only for the bravest of souls (and, apparently, those with a sixth sense), Theatre Offstage’s meetings “are impulse-based. We don’t usually meet when our minds are too busy with a daily routine or lacking any original idea. Each meeting for us is like labour for a pregnant woman, which must result in giving a birth to something,” explains Treivus. Right, then.
Where: You can contact Theatre Offstage via email at [email protected]. Apparently the club meets only “in the most obscure places where the ghosts usually dwell,” according to Treivus.
Why: Asked why students should be interested in joining Offstage, Boris replies: “I’d rather feel Theatre Offstage is the place to avoid. It’s too spontaneous and unpredictable. It’s stressful and destructive. And it’s very dangerous. You would feel much safer by keeping a good distance from Theatre Offstage.” You heard the man.
For more info on these groups, and a full list of all SAC and U of T-recognized campus organizations, see sa.utoronto.ca (click on Campus Organizations).
