Nwanne Eke

Viewpoints Editor

Located in the basement of Kittredge Dining Hall, the Underground (UG) has become one of the most distinct gathering places for students on campus. It is designed to be a late-night hangout space for all adult students and offers a unique environment that sets it apart from other student spaces. With seltzers, beers on tap, freshly popped popcorn with an array of seasonings, free water and soda, along with plenty of space to chat, shoot pool, unwind and enjoy the DJ’s music, the UG is the perfect place for students to enjoy a night away from school life. 

On Saturday, Sept. 13, the UG hosted an “Afrobeat & Caribbean Dance Party” from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Organized through the efforts of Sarah Toby, co-chair for student affairs, and the UG’s student employees, the event was promoted by word of mouth, social media and fliers in the POT. 

Boasting a moderate turnout, the UG had students on the dancefloor, screaming the lyrics of their favorite songs, at the bar getting drinks and playing pool. Tyrese John Andah ’26, a general assembly member of the African Student Union (ASU) said, “The African & Caribbean night at the Underground was a good night. The DJs did amazing jobs feeding us with old and new bangers, and the best parts of the night had the dancefloor and stage active. The space wasn’t packed, but those of us who were there made the most of the night. It was nice though to have a space for African and Caribbean music outside of the typical Black organization events, and I would definitely like to see more of this.”

UG student employee Lorenzo Freeman ’26 also shared his thoughts on the ‘Afrobeat and Caribbean Dance Party.’ “I thought the event went well. I would have loved for more students to have attended, regardless of their affiliation with ASU or to the Caribbean student population. However, everyone who was there seemed to enjoy the music, dancing and overall environment, which made me enjoy it more. I know that a barrier for some students is the no-passport policy; however, I encourage those who can to show up for our different events this year.” 

Later this month, the UG will host a homecoming post-game party and a television premier night for “Survivor” on Sept. 24, before ending the month with “Y2K Night” on Sept. 26.