There’s a very interesting op-ed in the Skidmore News pushing for Falstaff’s to once again embrace that original dream. In a campus bar, they argue, students would be able to drink and socialize in a controlled environment, under the watchful eye of campus safety, thus creating a safe and fun space that would unite all of Skidmore.

Not only that, but an on-campus bar apparently offers a unique solution for many students who have been made to feel uncomfortable at bars downtown:

There are, of course, numerous bars in downtown Saratoga Springs, and many students frequent them. But these are public venues where, on the one hand, many other students feel less comfortable, and on the other, animosity persists between irresponsible students and the businesses and residents of Saratoga. An on-campus bar would be a much safer and more welcoming place for students.

Okay, but there are some flaws to this argument.

A Falstaff’s bar would not “unite the campus,” since only upperclassmen would be allowed to drink there. In fact, there would be no reason for freshmen or sophomores to ever go to Falstaff’s if the space was converted. Why would underage students go to a bar if they couldn’t take advantage of its main draw? Would they even be allowed to enter under this new set of rules? So really, the benefits of a Falstaff’s bar only extend to upperclassmen, which is fine, but let’s recognize this fact.

Additionally, if people are made uncomfortable at bars downtown, creating an insular, Skidmore-only bar will not get to the root of this problem. Yes, it might be a quick fix, but it will do absolutely nothing to foster a better relationship between students and Saratoga residents. A Falstaff’s bar might even exacerbate tensions, as it would inevitably hurt these downtown businesses financially.

Moreover, I don’t think that a Falstaff’s bar would mitigate the ongoing epidemic of overconsumption here at Skidmore. There are a ton of problems with the AOD policy, but an on campus bar doesn’t solve them, nor does it address the issue of binge-drinking. I mean, let’s be honest, if there’s a so-called “cap” on how many drinks a student is permitted, doesn’t it stand to reason that they’ll just move somewhere else and continue drinking? I guess I don’t see how being in a bar on campus defeats the need to get drunk. I would think, if anything, it would just make people want to drink more.

For the record, I mostly agree with the Skidmore News in its appraisal, and in theory, I think it’s a great idea, but the fact is, when talking about a Falstaff’s bar, a whole slew of unanswered questions arise. This is not the solution to the problems plaguing Skidmore, and until proponents come up with a solid, realistic plan that answers these concerns, Falstaff’s will remain a dark, sweaty place where people go so they can leave a few minutes later.

(Skidmore News)

Before you ask, the steps are not up up down down left right left right B A.

Falstaff’s is frequently known as a home for Skidmore bands and raves, but this Thursday the folks at Lively Lucy’s are mixing it up a bit with some contra dancing.  Contra dancing is a partnered folk dance similar to square dancing, and… you know what? I’m just going to cut out the middleman and send you directly to the Wikipedia article I’m getting this from.  There will be a live band and caller, so this shit’s pretty authentic.  Newbies welcome and in fact encouraged to come.

Falstaff’s, this Thursday, 8 PM.  Be there or be square.

(fbook)

Seriously, though. Play this song and you will get laid.

The end times are upon us.  No, not those end times, the end-of-the-year times, which are considerably worse.  I never realized how near we are to the end until I realized that this tonight’s Open Mic Night at Falstaff’s will be the very last of the year.  Yup, the last.  This is your last chance to dedicate “Wonderwall” to that girl in your French class (tacitly or untacitly, your choice) or make everyone in the house nostalgia hardcore with your touching rendition of “Hey There Delilah.”  Oh, so you think Open Mic Night is all about music? Wrong.  You can do whatever you want.  Got some poetry you’ve been writing in lieu of taking notes in that boring as shit physics class?  Come read it!  Fiction?  A nonfiction rant?  Cap it at roughly 5 minutes and you’re all set.  Stand-up comedy?  Go for it, champ.  Any form of entertainment that isn’t pornography is welcome (and let’s be honest, the line between acceptable and pornographic is a tad bit blurry).

Completely untalented or just unprepared?  That’s hardly an excuse not to go.  There’s going to be great entertainment from kids you never knew were actually good at something.  It’s the last of the year; everyone will want to show Skidmore how talented they are before departing for the summer – or perhaps forever…  I’ll be there reading something or some shit, so why not go?

Come on, kick back, and relax at Falstaff’s this tonight, 4/5, at 8PM.  Did I mention it’s the last open mic of the year?

(fbook)

In case you live under a rock, are deaf and have no internet, Rubblebucket is playing Falstaff’s tonight. That place can hold what, 250 people? And because it’s such a big band, they’re going to shut the doors and if you aren’t there early enough you gonna get shut out!!

Skidmore’s Los Elk are opening.

If you can’t get in, come to Albany to see Company of Thieves.

Tomorrow night at Falstaff’s Dan Papson ’11 and Beardo will be playing some swell tunes.  No, I don’t know who or what Beardo is. I’m assuming the Beardo playing at Falstaff’s tomorrow is not this one, but if it is please, please let me know.
Music starts around 9.

Check out more info on Dan Papson Here

Fabulous job, WSPN/SEC. Hands down, best Falstaff’s show of the year.

On Friday, October 28, WSPN and SEC are hosting Start Making Sense—the premier Talking Heads tribute band in the greater tri-state area—in a Halloween show at Falstaff’s. This is a “Once in a Lifetime” opportunity, because these guys will be “Burning Down the House” all night!

But really, as the WSPN janitor office manager, I guarantee this will be fucking amazing. Tribute bands are a blast, and a surf rock band called The Great White Caps is opening. There will also be a costume contest with the chance to win WSPN prizes. Just dress up as your parents in the early 80s and pretend the Talking Heads are actually playing at Falstaff’s.

“God, Reagan is such a dick, you guys. Let’s check out Red Dawn and watch MTV all night.” See? So easy, and you’ll definitely win if you go all out. I expect to see you all there in your finest Salvation Army finds.

(fbook)

According to Lt. Greg Veitch of the SSPD, the man “had smoked some type of substance and suffered from hallucinations that he had been shot in the leg.” Veitch goes on to say that the police believe that “he had been smoking bath salts.” Bath salts have recently been banned in New York.

So overlooking the misuse of government resources and all that, this is the funniest shit I’ve ever read in the Skidmore News. Seriously, did you ever think you’d see “Falstaff’s,” “bath salts,” and “gunshot wound” in the same sentence? I certainly didn’t.

Yes, my friends, this actually happened. Only at Skidmore.

More from the Skidmore News here.

FRIDAY
3:30pm – Ad-Libs auditions @ JKB (fbook)
4:00pm – Men’s Soccer vs. Hobart @ Wachenheim Field
7:00pm – Screening of “Tony”, by Invisible Children @ Gannett
7:30pm – $5 movie: Denis Villeneuve’s “Incendies” @ Saratoga Film Forum
10:00pm – CFSGR’s Self Defense Workshop @ The Spa (fbook)

SATURDAY
9:30am – 2011 Skidmore Undergrad Research Conference @ Gannett
2:00pm – Men’s Soccer vs. RIT @ Wachenheim Field
10:00pm – Late Night/Outing Club’s Manhunt @ The Spa
10:00pm – SPECTRUM: Masquerade! feat. DJ Ramses @ Falstaff’s (fbook)
11:30pm – Saturday Night Live @ NBC

SUNDAY
2:30pm – Skidmore Quidditch Team info meeting @ Bolton 103 (fbook)
6:00pm – Harvest Dinner feat. Artifacts, Mugsy Boges @ Falstaff’s (fbook) $5 donation

Missing something? Let us know in the comments. 

Vegetables - not just for rabbits anymore!

Skidmore’s student garden is staffed by a few student foodies who spend most of the non-snowy months toiling over a tiny plot of land next to the admissions building. They grow quite a lot of good food, but obviously it is just for show and doesn’t really make a dent in Skidmore’s food needs. Let’s be real: it would take thousands and thousands of Skidmore student gardens to grow all the food we waste eat in Dhall each year. Call me crazy, but it seems like the student garden only really exists to show us how impossible our national food system is… oh I get it now.

The Garden kids are happy to share the vegetables of their labor with you at the 4th annual Harvest Dinner. It’s all local, vegetarian, tasty stuff, so bring a few dollars (suggested $5 donation) and feast. Come eat that good stuff and enjoy the music of two Skidmore bands so fresh they don’t even have Bandcamp pages yet.

Sunday 6:00pm-10:00pm @ Falstaff’s feat. The Artifacts and The Mugsy Boges

(fbook)