Story and photo by Cole Knutson
The unique interests and hobbies of students all around campus are seldom left unfulfilled at the University of Oregon. There are over 100 clubs around campus that cater to these hobbies. Here are a few that stand out among the rest.
Students of the Indian Subcontinent
The past two spring terms saw hundreds of students of Indian origin as well as other ethnicities, draped in white, gathered onto an open field. Colored powders were distributed and water was present. What ensued was a massive, wet and powdery dance party. This celebration is referred to as Holi and is hosted by the University of Oregon’s Students of the Indian Subcontinent, a group of students from the subcontinent who founded the club in order to help networking between Indian students. Students regularly meet and put on events in order to bring Indian traditions to life in the U.S. In addition to Holi, events include Diwali, Utsav, and movie nights.
http://pages.uoregon.edu/sis/
Belegarth Medieval Combat Society
Reliving the fierce battles of the Middle Ages is not a distant fantasy at the University of Oregon; it’s a cold hard fact that takes place on the EMU lawn every Sunday afternoon at 1 pm. Tir na nÓg is a realm of the Belegarth Medieval Combat Society at the University of Oregon. Members of the society participate in full contact battle with foam swords, bows, spears and shields. The group participates in fighting events throughout the state. Weapons are provided by the Society, so all prospective members need to do in order to join is attend practice.
http://pages.uoregon.edu/bmcsuo/index.html
Unbound
Every term, students at the University of Oregon have the opportunity to have their creative works of art, fiction, and poetry published in a literary arts magazine. That magazine is Unbound. Since 2008 the magazine’s archives have been compiling the creative gifts of students that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Everything from short stories to drawings and paintings are welcome for submission, and the current issue, as well as other issues, can be found on the Unbound website.
http://www.unboundlit.com/unbound/index.php
Oregon Ballroom Dance Club
The Oregon Ballroom Dance Club delivers reasonably priced dancing multiple nights a week throughout campus. The club hosts multiple events such as ballroom dance practice followed by open dancing every Friday night at Gerlinger Hall, starting at 7:30. The price of admission is $4 for students and free for members. OBDC offers lessons in dances such as the Waltz, Foxtrot, East and West Coast Swing, American Tango and more. Members and other students can receive lessons at the beginning and intermediate levels. OBDC has an exciting schedule lined up for winter term.
http://ballroom.uoregon.edu/index.shtml
Mind the Gap
Speakers and instruments are not needed to fill the EMU Fishbowl with music. The University of Oregon’s co-ed a capella group Mind the Gap has the vocal tools to do it themselves. With a remarkable ability to imitate instruments and sounds from popular songs, Mind the Gap spreads song through the EMU every Friday at 3:45 for free. The group uses beat-box techniques to create background music to sing over. Mind the Gap also competes in competitions and has two albums.
http://pages.uoregon.edu/uomtg/

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Not Your Average Gatherings