“Rollins After Dark” Brings Nightlife to Students

March 2, 2009

On Friday, Feb. 27 Rollins’ Mary Jean Plaza was transformed from a quiet gathering spot into a vibrant day-glo party, complete with paint and white tents, as All Campus Events (A.C.E.) presents the new year’s first installment of their successful “Rollins After Dark” series. Students had the opportunity to treat themselves to paint, music and a full bagel bar until the wee hours of the morning as A.C.E. provides the entertainment – completely for free.

“Rollins After Dark was created to provide Rollins students with a series of alternative late night programming on Friday nights,” said Rollins After Dark Committee Chair Katie Jones. “It is basically a form of entertainment to provide the students with something free to do on campus on the weekends in a safe environment.” A.C.E holds a R.A.D. event the last Friday of every month from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m., bringing the nightlife home to Rollins and, as always, providing a signature breakfast buffet. Previous installments have included karaoke, pottery painting provided by All Fired Up, Guitar Hero, movies and a hypnotist. The event is designed, organized and run entirely by Rollins students.

Word around campus proves that these events are greatly anticipated by students during the long semesters of papers, exams and projects. “I’ve only gone to one but I had a great time” said Sammi Fuchs (Class of 2012). “I’ve cleared my calendar for the day-glo party. It’ll be nice to escape from the stress of midterms for a night.”

“Rollins After Dark” also provides an opportunity for A.C.E. to offer bigger and better entertainment options for Rollins’ students, said current Director Amy Iarrobino (Class of 2009), “Rollins After Dark provides A.C.E the opportunity to bring bigger events to the campus,” she said. “We can schedule comedians, hypnotists, and main acts that normally wouldn’t be available to students throughout the week.”

Drawing upwards of 200 people, even on Halloween, R.A.D. events are expected to continue. “We are very pleased with the success we’ve experienced,” Iarrobino said.

- Ellease Bender (Class of 2011)