Professional Documents
Culture Documents
kegger
Photo by Ryan Waggoner
Christopher Luxem,Topeka senior,
performs at the Wonka House
on January 18. Luxem, who has
lived at the house since August
2007, says his main motivation for
hosting musicians was to make a
space available for performance in
Lawrence for people I knew that
would be traveling through, or other
people that I would meet while
living here could play at.
What I experienced is referred to as a
Wonka House party, held at the home of
Christopher Luxem, Topeka senior, and Kent
Szlauderbach, Wichita sophomore. The party
gets its name from the physical build of their
house.The house is a straight shot.You can see
from one end to the other, and as you walk
through, the ceiling slopes andover the span
of four roomsdrops three feet. No two
door frames are alikethere are fve differ-
ent kinds of wood panelingits got that Willy
Wonka feel.
The party gives people the space for a night
to listen to and play live music.The event has no
structure and everyone is welcome to play, in-
cluding the audience members who are supplied
with various auxiliary percussion such as shakers
and tambourines, which lie about the house.
Theres no reason that we all cant work
together and achieve this mass countercul-
ture, Luxem says. A counterculture that
celebrates life, celebrates experiencing our
senses and enjoying ourselves through music
and visual experience.
FOR THE WATCHERS
When I entered the party, the house was
vacant enough to actually walk around in it.
About a dozen people were already there,
but within an hour and a half, at about 10:30
p.m., close to 80 people packed in the two-
bedroom house. No one was collecting money
at the door, and the traveling musicians earned
gas money by passing around a hat after a set.
Even after the house flled up, it was so qui-
et you could hear the appliances in the kitchen.
The sets performed were at a comfortable lis-
tening level. In the background one could hear
the slow hum of the fridge and the sink run-
ning in a bathroom two rooms over. It was
packed, but intimate.
I watched four different performers sets
spanning acoustic folk to full band pop. Every
set involved a give-and-take with the audience.
Performers opened their occasionally clenched
eyes making eye contact with the audience
made some of them blush, made some of them
sing along. There wasnt a feeling of, Im here
to entertain you. It was a feeling of, Oh, you
like this too?
Its much more, Heres my music. Lets
have a night, says Andrew Frederick, Shaw-
nee junior, and singer and drummer for Fred-
erick and the Six Angry Telephones.Well have
a night and we will remember the night. We
have many passing nights in the Wonka House,
I guess youd say.
Its less of a concert to the audience and
more of an event, a happening; something par-
ticipatory that pulls you in. Its not that under-
ground. Its not that weird. Its just people hav-
ing a good time.
01. Have guests leave their shoes
at the door.
02. Provide percussion to pass
around: shakers, tambourines,
hand drums or wood blocks.
03. Put away valuables and the
fne china.
04. Decorate with Christmas
lights to set the mood. As
Christopher Luxem,Topeka senior,
says, Add some twinkle lights and
then youve got a party going.
05. Invite enough people who
want to perform so that there
isnt an awkward lull in the fow of
the evening.
See page 14 for more photos from this
party, and view an audio slideshow with
this story at www.kansan.com/jayplay.
things to remember
when throwing a
{ counterkegger }
FOR THE pERFORmERS
The excitement of playing a house show
comes with the setting: the house. Houses
are already intimate in nature: They are places
people eat, sleep and live. People naturally feel
at ease in a home, so when a performer plays
a house, an air of ease surrounds the perfor-
mance. People come to the house to hear
them perform, not just to drink.
That doesnt mean that the fridge did not
see its fair share of six packs, but that the
overall concern of the night was keeping the
music going; moments of silence for applause
were the only non-music flled points of the
evening. This crowd didnt frown on drinking.
Those who participate in this movement arent
against keggers or other parties.The perform-
ers visibly enjoyed that. They fed themselves
on it, the energy and pulsing of the moment.
God, Id rather play somewhere thats nice,
that lends a nice glow to peoples faces that
look like theyre having fun rather than super
drunk, Frederick says. Its fantastic.
People were still drinking and enjoying
themselves, but there was a communal feeling
to the event. Performers met and talked to the
audience after sets.They then became a part of
the audience for others sets, which entailed ei-
ther listening intently, dancing or playing along
in the audience.They got silly, but it wasnt the
kind of silly one sees at a kegger. It was the
kind of silly that you see in a preschooler. Ex-
cited. Uninhibited. Fun.
YOu CAn dO THiS TOO
The performers explained how they got
involved in playing shows like the one at the
Wonka House. I had imagined this intricate
social web that included an online presence.
Turns out that theyre all just friends in one
way or another. Theyve met either playing at
events or through hosting them. I poked and
prodded the hosts on how others could get
involved and know when these are happening.
The answer was simple: Instead of going out
and searching for these parties, people should
just make them for themselves.
If you get a strong enough sense of com-
munity about Lawrence then places will start
popping up and you can start going to all these
great places. It just seems like a no brainer. Just
do it, says Szlauderbach, Wonka House resi-
dent.
The next time youre looking for fun, you
could look to your friends to provide it. Ev-
eryone knows someone who plays guitar.
Have them over, invite some friends and make
it a night. If youre worried about not having
a name for your house party like the Wonka
House, Luxem gives some good advice: If you
want your house to be called something, give
it a name. JP
Photo by Ryan Waggoner
Mellow out, dude:Tyler Gregory, Lawrence resident, performs Aint No Sunshine for a crowd at the Wonka House on January 18.
A wide range of musical acts and welcoming atmosphere drew a crowd of around 80 to the house that evening.
g
counter
z
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13 February 12, 2009
14
February 12, 2009
notice
Photo by Ryan
Waggoner
Tyler Gregory,
Lawrence
resident, and Todd
Spreer of Kansas
City, Missouri,
perform at the
Wonka House.
Gregory says he
is a regular at the
Wonka House,
playing under
the name Tyler
Gregory and the
Blue Shuffe.
Photo by Ryan Waggoner
Leonor Correia of Portugal, and Carey Scott, Hoxie senior, listen as
Bobby Sauder, 2008 graduate, sings along with one of the many
musical acts at the Wonka House.
Christopher Luxem,
Topeka senior, says he
usually books the musicians
for Wonka House shows
through friends of friends,
or through my past friends
who Ive gone and traveled
to their cities and played
shows in their apartments
or their houses.
Photo by Ryan Waggoner
The crowd at the Wonka House listens to Luxem perform. Luxem says he
hopes guests at his house shows would be immersed within a musical
experience as opposed to just being a spectator to a certain experience.
Photo by Ryan Waggoner
Jamie Lacore, Topeka junior, watches performers at the Wonka House.
Photo by Ryan Waggoner
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February 12, 2009
manual
Photo illustration by Katherine Mulder
Color me beautiful: Cathy Dinh, nail technician, is aware
of customers sometimes stereotyping her profession.
Contributed photo
Bum a ride online
Brian Bass was flling up his car with gas
and was watching the numbers steadily grow.
He came up with an idea for a carpooling
website after his patience hit the limit.
Bass created Ridesearch.com, which is a
website that connects people with similar
commutes with each other. However, instead
of making a website with ads for carpooling,
he decided to make it more friendly.
Were more of a social network, Bass says.
By being social, people get to know one an-
other before ever setting foot in a car.
Therefore, you wont have to wonder who
youll be riding with because you can commu-
nicate with them extensively beforehand.
If you are looking for an environment where
you can only place ads, then Erideshare.com is
just that. Craigslist.org also has resources for
carpooling ads under rideshare.
Carpooling saves money in this stagnant
economy because you are sharing costs with
others. If it makes economic sense for you
to give up some of your fexibility in order
to save some cash, then you should consider
carpooling.
Wei Wu, assistant professor of psychology,
prefers carpooling for a variety of reasons.
She says it saves her money, cuts greenhouse
gases and gives her someone to talk to.
Adam Schoof
Dude, wheres my car?: Save some dough and wear and
tear on your car by searching for a carpool online.
in the life of...
A nail technician
Sitting on her couch in Lawrence, 23-year-
old Cathy Dinh laughs at comedian Anjelah
Johnsons stand-up bit called nail salon on
YouTube.
Hon-nee, why you dont lie-ke? Pedicure
it make look na-i. It so sexy. It better for you,
says Johnson, imitating a nail technician with a
thick Asian accent.
The bit highlights the stereotype of nail
salon customers not understanding the short
and grammatically incorrect speech of nail
technicians with an accent.
At frst I was so offended by it, Dinh
says when it ends, but then I was like, Its so
true.
Dinh is a nail technician in Lawrence, but
she doesnt ft the stereotype. Although she
has the dark almond eyes that refect her her-
itage and is fuent in Vietnamese, she is also
fuent in English. She is from Dodge City and
goes to college in Lenexa.
She currently works at Salon Di Marco, but
her experience with the stereotype comes
from her years working at Nail Citi. Most Nail
Citi employees speak Vietnamese, so that is
how they naturally talk to one another. Dinh
understands the paranoia customers can have
that the workers are talking about them. In re-
ality, she says the co-workers just tease each
other.
Former coworker and friend of Dinh, Matt
Truong, says the boss of Nail Citi discourages
workers from talking in Vietnamese. Truong
says that the ideal customers are those who
feel comfortable and act like themselves. That,
Truong says, is what being at a nail salon is all
about.
Katherine Mulder
DIY:
[ d o i t y o u r s e l f ]
James Bond has strayed from his gambling
roots in his recent flm, Casino Royale. Bond
plays Texas Hold em, which is a variation of
poker. Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond,
though, devoted almost an entire chapter to
explaining the rules of baccarat in his Casino
Royale novel.
Baccarat is not diffcult. You play it like you
would blackjack, but the number you are hop-
ing for is nine. You get two cards with an op-
tion for a third. Face cards and tens are worth
zero, and aces are worth one; all other cards
are worth their numerical value.
For example, an ace and an eight
would equal nine, just as a nine
and a queen would equal nine.
There are three major varia-
tions of baccarat: Punto Banco,
Chemin de Fer and Baccarat
Banque. Bond plays Chemin de
Fer. In this variation, there is a
set of rules for how you must
play your cards. If you have an
eight or a nine in the frst two
cards you draw, then you turn
them up. This is called a natu-
ral and you will win unless
someone else has a higher natu-
ral. You can stand on a seven or
Play baccarat
six, meaning you dont have to draw another
card. You can choose to stand or not to stand
on a fve, but if you have four and below then
you must draw another card.
Casinos may have house rules, so you should
ask the croupier, or dealer, about them before
you start gambling.
Adam Schoof
Photo by Adam Schoof
Shaken, not stirred: Learn how to baccarat just like
James Bond, though it probably wont be as thrilling.
Valentine's Day
Free rose with dinner
Hibachi cooking at your table
Reservations highly recommended
785-838-3399
2907 W. 6th Street
$1.99 Sake Bombs every night
at Kobe Japanese Steakhouse
Flying around a circular fat track at break-neck speeds, Yvette
Yerass and Bomb Pop love what they do. Sexy, anti-corporate, in-
credibly fast-paced and tremendously violent, who wouldnt love
a little roller derby in their life?
This Valentines Day could be brutal, but not because you got
turned down again. The Kansas City Roller Warriors league
presents the third annual Bloody Valentine bout at Municipal Au-
ditorium, 301 West 13th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Four teams, including the Black-Eye Susans, the Dreadnought
Dorothys, the Knockouts and the Victory Vixens, will battle it out
in thrilling girl-on-girl roller action.
Lawrence resident Tonya Hagedorn (a.k.a. Yvette Yerass) says
the sport is addictive for players and fans.
Its pure intensity from the start, Hagedorn says. After the
frst time you watch it, usually you are hooked.
Knockouts jammer Shawn Frazier (a.k.a. Bomb Pop) says the
bumps and bruises these women stomach during competition
motivates them.
Last year, during a bout, I got drilled from the side by a block-
er and few in the air, Frazier says, I landed on my knee bad and
sparks few. Everyone thought it was pretty sweet. I jumped up to
get a piece of that girl.
Advance tickets for the event are $13 or you can purchase
tickets at the door for $16. Doors open at 6 p.m.
with the frst bout of the evening beginning at 7
p.m.
Kristopher McDonald
This Weekend:
Roller Derby
Contributed photos
Roll, baby, roll:To get to know some of the roller derby teams better, check out
www.kcrollerwarriors.com and www.myspace.com/kcrollerwarriors.
Contributed photos
Smashing good time: Watch the roller derby girls in action Saturday at the
Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Te authentic taste of
M E X I C O
is just down the street.
3333 Iowa 785.331.4243
buy two Margaritas,
get free queso
(show KU ID)
16
February 12, 2009
play
Staggering to the stage, Big Stack Daddys
eclectic band of characters makes you won-
der: What kind of music am I in for?
The two original mem-
bers of the group, Byron
James, 53, and Michael Paull,
47, have been playing to-
gether for nearly six years
under the moniker Big Stack
Daddy.
Just three months ago,
the pair decided to expand
the group, hoping to appeal
to a younger audience.
Peter Longofono, Topeka
junior, and Colby Earleywine,
25, auditioned and made the
cut after a few minutes of
groveling to with the elder
statesmen of the group,
James jokingly says.
The truth is they at-
tracted chicks in from the
college to watch us, James
says, and Peter knows plen-
ty of attractive girls.
All jokes aside, the two
young musicians made the
cut based on their ability,
Paull says.
Peter and Colby are
both very talented and were
exactly what we were looking for, Paull says.
They just ft for us.
After the taking time to gel, the group
has begun to venture out into the Lawrence
music scene, playing at the Jazzhaus and the
Replay Lounge recently.
James and Paull say the change has been
positive for the group and everyone seems
to be meshing well.
However, ask the group to describe its
music and everyone has a diffcult time.
[stagepresence]
Big Stack Daddy
Photos by Kristopher McDonald
Two old, two young: Big Stack Daddy decided to appeal to a younger
audiences by adding two younger band mates. Check out more
about the band at www.myspace.com/bigstackdaddy and www.
bigstackdaddy.com
My favorite Valentines Day had to have been when I was in Florence
last year. We drank a bottle of wine as we crossed the Arno River on
our way to a friends apartment. Our professors even came.
It was incredible.
Amanda Janssen, Wichita senior
[ what is your best or worst
Valentines Day experience? ]
My best was probably when I had dinner at the Plaza and a carriage
ride afterwards.
Kirsten Kwon, Chicago junior
My worst Valentines Day was when my mom got me a present.
Ben Antes, Overland Park junior
My best was when my boyfriend baked cookies for me at his house.
We had been broken up a couple months before that and he asked me
out again. We have been together for a little over four years now.
Brianne Burlin, Stilwell freshman
As an insensitive male, most of my Valentines Day experiences have
been bland.
Mike Conner, Shawnee graduate student
My most memorable would have to be when my boyfriend took me
out to dinner. I dumped him on the car ride home.
Alex Surface, Kansas City, Missouri, freshman
My worst Valentines Day was last years. My boyfriend of four years
broke up with me on that very day. Ive hated Valentines Day since Ive
been little, but I have to say I hate it even more now.
Allie Tyner, Council Grove sophomore
Out About
Tanner Grubbs
Singer/songwriter-style rock and roll,
Paull says.
Lyrical electric, Earleywine says.
And a little jazz, Longofono adds.
While they try to fgure it out, Big Stack
Daddy will also keep trying to perpetuate the
myth with their onstage antics, Longofono
says.
Kristopher McDonald
play
17
February 12, 2009
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18 February 12, 2009
Photo illustration by Sachiko Miyakawa
Sex in dirty places
No! Thats the gearshift!: Cars are usually harbor unsani-
tary environments, which expose you to more diseases.
disgusting
Thats
health
Sexual intercourse in unsanitary con-
ditions and places, such as in a car or the
outdoors, can expose you to a higher risk
of genital yeast infection and urinary tract
infection (UTI), says Jenny McKee, health
educator at the Wellness Resource Cen-
ter. Yeast infections can cause itch and ir-
ritation in genitalia. UTIs can create pain
and bleeding during urination.
Cars, in particular, can be dirtier than
your average sex location because of left-
over food messes and shoes transferring
bacteria from the outdoors.
McKee says women are more prone
to these infections, but regular hygiene
routines, such as washing hands and tak-
ing showers, can reduce the risk of infec-
tion. Urinating after sex can also prevent
UTIs, according to the National Kidney
Urologic Diseases Information Clearing-
house.
Researchers, however, dont have
strong evidence that urinating after sex
or regular hygiene routines prevent UTIs,
says Deborah Wing, a specialist in mater-
nal fetal medicine at the University of Califor-
nia, Irvine. Even on your bed or after taking
a shower, you may get UTIs through sexual
intercourse.
McKee says a UTI is not uncommon. Twenty
percent of women develop a UTI during their
lifetime, according the National Kidney Uro-
logic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Sachiko Miyakawa
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Good plant companions refresh your
mind, brighten up your room, and clean the
air in your breathing zone.
Houseplants can absorb airborne pol-
lutants through their leaves and biodegrade
them into a source of food for the plants,
according to How to Grow Fresh Air by B.C.
Wolverton, former NASA research scientist.
Such pollutants include chemical toxins and
bacteria.
Lady palm, rubber plants and English Ivy
are among the houseplants that are easier
to grow and more effective at removing
airborne pollutants, according to the book.
Flowers, such as Gerbera daisy, are also effec-
tive at removing pollutants but require more
maintenance. Wolverton says plants absorb
more airborne pollutants, grown in soil-free
medium than commercial potting soil.
Among various houseplants, Tonia Schoen,
greenhouse assistant of Sunrise Garden Cen-
ter, 1501 Learnard Avenue, recommends Eng-
lish Ivy and philodendron. The plants tolerate
different levels of lighting, and if you forget to
19
February 12, 2009
health
nurture by nature
Houseplants
Photo illustration by Sachiko Miyakawa
Smell the roses: Keeping fresh plants around the home
helps remove pollutants in the air.
water them, they will not wither easily, says
Schoen.
Houseplants, including English Ivy and rub-
ber plants, are available from $6 at Sunrise
Garden Center.
Sachiko Miyakawa
FRIDAY
18 to dance. 21 to drink.
$2 Domestics, Bacardis & Jagerbombs
STOPLIGHT PARTY
Celebrate Valentines Day at the biggest party in Lawrence.
abejakes.com 841-5855
SATURDAY
$2 Domestics & Bacardis
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buy one get the second
AWAY GAME
WATCH PARTY
SATURDAY, FEB. 14
Your HOME when the team is AWAY.
KU vs. K STATE
TIP OFF AT 2:30 PM
HOSTED BY
Jo Shmos
724 MASS.
785.856.5667
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$5 32 oz. Beers
$12 Shmo Buckets
APPEARNCE BY
THE KU CALENDAR GIRLS
21
February 12, 2009
says ...
J
a
y
p
l
a
y
start
Bring the middle school cattiness
of note passing back in vogue. Rather
than doodling nonsense in the mar-
gins of your class notes, turn to the
back of your notebook and start a
note. Write to someone you are see-
ing right after class or someone who
you havent spoken to in awhile.
Sending a message on Facebook
is messy and messages to friends can
passing notes
get lost. Countless messages from
events, either changing times or
venues, clutter up inboxes and they
eventually become black holes of
unread messages. When you fnally
get around to reading all the unread
messages, a few pop up that would
have been nice to read weeks ago
when they were sent.
Break out an old pen and paper
and get to writing.
And a love letter
to your lover on
Valentines Day is a
lot more intimate
than an e-card or e-
fowers.
Matt Hirschfeld
Photo illustration by Tyler Waugh
Pass it on: Whats so exciting about chatting on Gmail? Passing
notes is a more personal way of writing to your friends.
T
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f
b
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!
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o1 Massaclisetts Lawrence, KS 66o
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njoy the
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o1 Massaclisetts Lawrence, KS 66o
(8)-o11 (8oo):-oo www.eluriugelotel.com
Treat your sweetheart to a getaway!
Come enjoy these luxury suites in
historic downtown Lawrence and
the amazing food at TEN restaurant.
$
15 per room per night
Includes complimentary
valet parking and
$5 coupon for TEN
Valid February 2009
Sundayursday only
Call ()- or ()-
Mention the Suite Deal when making reservations
Run of house, tax not included | Subject to availability
Valid for above dates only, not available when booking online
E
njoy the
February Suite Deal
at T E.
njoy the
February Suite Deal
at THE ELDRIDGE.
Treat your sweetheart to a getaway! Come enjoy
these luxury suites in historic downtown Lawrence
and the amazing food at TEN restaurant.
Run of house, tax not included
Subject to availability
Valid for dates only, not available
when booking online
Valid Feb. 2009
Sunday-ursday only
Call (785) 749-5011 or
(800) 527-0909
Mention Suite Deal when
making reservations
Includes complimentary
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$
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BOTOX