The University has a new dance club, but the venue is still struggling to get some recognition. The Red Room opened a second time on Saturday with a showing of only eight people. The fledgling dance club, located in The Break in the EMU, drew 32 people at its grand
opening Jan. 22.
Graduate student Liz Churchill, the Break’s co-manager, got $4,000 from the EMU Board to open the club. She transformed the room, which formerly held a few Ping-Pong tables and couches, into a full-fledged dance club by adding curtains, special lighting and a disco ball. The dance floor can pack 187 people and features live DJs.
Churchill said the venue is important because it provides a place for people under 21 to dance and hang out. Unlike other dancing venues in Eugene, the Red Room is drug- and alcohol-free. In fact, the only drinks in sight are sodas and bottled water, provided at no cost.
“When I was younger, there wasn’t enough stuff going on,” Churchill said. “Part of The Break’s philosophy is to be a place for students to come and be in a safe environment.”
Senior Lauren Chan, who co-manages The Break, said the club provides an atmosphere that’s safer than other venues.
“It’s a drug-free atmosphere on campus, and it’s an option that’s closer to campus,” she said.
Senior Marcus Kent, who showed up for the Red Room’s grand opening last Saturday, said Eugene lacks good dancing venues even for those ages 21 and over.
“If I wasn’t here, I’d be sitting at Taylor’s waiting for people to get up and dance,” he said.
Sophomore Ginny Lanier, who was also there for the opening, said she liked that the club catered to people of all ages.
“You don’t have to be 21 or have a fake I.D.,” she said. “It’s frustrating. I can defend my country, but I can’t even go into a place where people are drinking.”
Club manager Chris Jackson said he was disappointed by the club’s low turnout on Saturday, but attributed it to the club’s poor visibility.
“Mainly the word’s just not out as much as we’d like it to be,” he said. “We’ve done some advertising, but people just don’t see it.”
Jackson said the overall turnout may have been hindered by the DJ, who arrived an hour late. People who arrived before the DJ came left the club discouraged, he said.
He said the club will remain open every Saturday night for the rest of the term, adding that it will have a live band within the next
two weeks.

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