Recently, I wanted to go see the documentary
“Zizek!” being shown by the UCLA Graduate Students
Association. I didn’t know anything about the film, but the
trailer looked appealing and I was curious. I asked my friend if he
would like to go. He wearily replied, “What’s the movie
about?”
“Well, it’s about this “˜intellectual
maverick’ named Slavoj Zizek. Apparently he’s like the
god of modern philosophy.”
Though my friend decided to stay home and watch a rerun of
“24,” I went to watch the free screening of
“Zizek!.” Upon arrival, I noticed there were no lights
inside the theater.
In fact, there wasn’t a single person there except the guy
working at the ticket booth. I asked him whether
“Zizek!” was still showing.
He confirmed that it was, and that showtime was in five minutes.
Five minutes later, only nine students and a janitor were in
attendance.
The problem isn’t that the majority of UCLA’s
student population skipped a documentary screening. The problem is
that this is not an isolated event.
Remember those student fees you pay every quarter? Those help
keep this kind of event free. When students pay their fees,
they’re not just paying for lectures and discussion sections.
They’re paying for an educational experience offered by one
of the world’s most distinguished universities.
These student events can make education thrilling. In the past
few months, I’ve learned about the grassroots AfroReggae
movement in Rio de Janeiro from the documentary “Favela
Rising.” I’ve also learned that tiny vibrating strings
might make up all the particles of the universe from the co-founder
of string field theory, Dr. Michio Kaku.
But students shouldn’t go to these events just because
they’re educational. They should go because they’re
exciting.
I wasn’t always so keen on going to UCLA events. But not
too long ago, a group of friends and I went to a student-sponsored
event for the Hammer Museum’s Masters of American Comics
exhibit.
I was shocked to discover a DJ spinning ’80s music, free
food catered by Pink’s Hot Dogs and a screening of
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Free
films, free food and free fun: a college student’s dream.
To fulfill my craving for more, I decided to catch a screening
of the documentary “Rize” that was put on by the
Cultural Affairs Commission. “Rize” chronicles the
urban dance style called “krumping,” created by Tommy
Johnson in response to the 1992 Rodney King riots.
After the screening, Johnson and his troupe of face-painted
dancers answered questions. I personally spoke with him about his
travels across the world to exhibit this new dance. Johnson and his
troupe even agreed to do an impromptu show in the middle of Bruin
Plaza.
The audience was treated to astounding acrobatics and
groundbreaking agility by the original dancers of the krumping
style.
So the question still remains: Why are students not attending
these events?
Some students argue that there are not enough choices. According
to the UCLA campus calendar, however, there are over 500 events
occurring on campus in the month of May alone. That averages to
about 16 events each day.
Others argue that with so many choices, there’s no time to
filter out the good from the bad.
But that’s why the UCLA Happenings Web site was created
““ to handpick and highlight the most intriguing events of the
month.
In the last month alone, you might have missed a performance by
Teatro Nueva Alma (a collage of theatrical vignettes and poetry), a
Fowler Out Loud! performance featuring UCLA’s award-winning
Bhangra team performing Punjab-inspired dance, or renowned
Argentine director Fernando Pino Solanas conducting workshops on
filmmaking.
For those living in Westwood, the majority of UCLA’s
student events are nearby, free and entertaining.
Not only are they great for a romantic date, they also provide
an opportunity to establish relationships with others who have
similar tastes.
Most importantly, they allow students to explore their interests
and to attain the complete UCLA experience.
Saby is a third-year psychobiology student. He will be the
2006-2007 speakers director for the Campus Events
commission.