Xanadu celebrates grand opening

Author: H. Kay Merriman

The new student-run nightclub Xanadu celebrated its grand opening Friday night in Hamlin Dining Hall with a test run to identify logistical issues before the club's official opening next fall. The opening saw widespread attendance by students, with large waiting lines to gain admittance to the club.

In order to acquaint the club's all-student staff with the logistics of running a club, no alcohol was served at the party, although plans are in place to serve alcohol to students of legal age when the club opens in the fall. Club organizers said they were aware that improper conduct and alcohol consumption by underage students as potential problems.

Middlebury Musicians' Guild president Ted Parker '08, who assisted in the initial discussion and start-up of the club, noted that one of the problems that plague "dry" parties is students who try to sneak their own alcohol in.

"People showing up with their own booze made the Halloween party crash and burn," said Parker, referring to a party at FIC last fall that was broken up by Public Safety.

In order for Xanadu to be as successful as it was on Friday night, Director of Dining Services Matthew Biette said that students will have to continue to be responsible club-goers.

"It is important that the student body realize that their cooperation helps the success of the operation," he said. "If people look at this place as an outlet that features great local music where they can also get a beverage, alcohol if over 21, then it will work nicely. If people are looking for this to be a blow out party spot where anyone on campus can come and get trashed, the entire idea of Xanadu will crash and burn."

When the club starts selling alcohol next year, they must comply with state laws regarding consumption of alcohol by minors. Although those under 21 will be permitted entrance, no one under age will be allowed an alcoholic beverage.

"The outcome will depend on how well the organizers of Xanadu can work within the guidelines of Vermont state law and Middlebury College regulations for everyone's safety and well-being," said Manager of Dining Events Darby Crum.

But improper conduct involving alcohol was not a problem on Friday night, and neither were noise complaints. According to Xanadu President Thompson Davis '08, the chance of any noise escaping from the bunker-like Freeman International Center (FIC) was minimal.

"Hamlin is a Cold War building with thick walls, and half of it is underground, so there couldn't be any noise complaints," said Davis.

One of the problems the club did experience involved handling the large student turnout. At various times on Friday night, as many as 70 students stood in lines outside of the club, unable to enter Hamlin because the club had reached its occupancy limit of 175 students. In order to cope with the large turnout, plans call for remodeling Hamlin over the summer to increase capacity.

Despite these potential obstacles, club organizers are confident it will be a success. Even the name Xanadu is optimistic. It comes from various cultural icons, including a poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, a movie starring Olivia Newton John and the castle in "Citizen Kane," a theme organizers are trying to capture for the club.

"Xanadu means a majestic, dreamlike, heavenly place," said WRMC Music Director Jordan Nassar '07.5. "It's a place where music can be heard and events can be held. It will be a nice setting to go to with your friends and dance."

"The main emphasis is the music," said Davis.

Although Xanadu is not affiliated with the College's student-run radio station, WRMC 91.1, WRMC agreed to assist in the opening by providing the sound system and DJs for the event. Four sets hosted by different DJs were played on Friday, including Chris Heinrich '07, Carol Wilson '07, Sage Bierster '07 and Milena Flament '07.

Most students seemed pleased with the implications Xanadu has on student social life, but noted that the club did have problems that need to be addressed.

"It has a lot of potential," said Corey Reich '08, who attended the grand opening. "They still need to do a few things to it. You still felt that you were in a dining hall. I would definitely go back, though, if they fixed some things."