‘Speakeasy’ jazzes up weekend
Students of all sexual orientations went back in time to the Roaring Twenties on Friday at the Logan Country Club to enjoy smooth jazz music and dancing at the Gay Straight Alliance’s Speakeasy.
“I met some great people here. It’s a great atmosphere,” said Amber Lam, an international studies major. “It’s just really nice here. It’s very fun-filling. it doesn’t feel awkward or anything. It’s just very inviting.”
Guests were treated to a small, decorated dining space where they could listen and dance to live jazz music, snack on chips and hummus or fruit and veggie kabobs and sit and talk.
“The atmosphere? Fun because of the music, flirtatious because of the people,” said Brittany Brunner, a sophomore in communications and specializing in music.
Alcohol was served at a bar at the back of the party to those 21 years of age and older who provided identification at the door and were marked by a bracelet.
Originally, a speakeasy was a place that illegally sold alcohol during the Prohibition, which was the nationwide ban on the sale, production and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the U.S during the 1920s. Small sections of buildings were used as safe places to sell alcohol in secret and often featured performances from flappers and jazz music.
Today, many cocktail bars and parties use the speakeasy and roaring twenties as themes for small gatherings that feature classic cocktails, period style clothing and decorations.
“I love ‘The Great Gatsby’ and … I just love the ’20s and so it’s an exciting event,” said Caitlin Willey, a senior in art education. “Jazz music is definitely better as live jazz.”
Willey is the lead singer of the band, Something Blue, which performed that night.
Although hosted by the Cache Valley chapter of the GSA, all proceeds earned from the night’s event went to Utah State’s L.I.F.E. club.
“It stands for Love Is For Everyone,” said Erica Jorgensen, an animal science major. “Their goal is to have a safe zone where people from the LGBT community can get together and hang out.”
Based in the Access and Diversity Center, L.I.F.E. also aims to educate people about issues regarding sexual orientation, work for and promote a united community and equality for all members of the community, according to the club’s website.
“I find they’re very welcoming,” Lam said. “Especially as being a minority along learning about LGBT-type things. It’s just they’re very welcoming, very friendly and overall, they’re really great people to get to know.”
Lam said the GSA, L.I.F.E. and events like the Speakeasy are good resources to learn more, get advice, and to meet great people.
Willey agreed.
“It’s just fun to come out to have a party, no matter what our preferences are,” she said.
— miranda.lorenc@gmail.com