SWIZZLE 2004
GUYS
ueen
SWILLING IN THE MIST
CHRONICLING THE RITUAL OF BOYS’ NIGHT OUT. BY GEORGIA PATERA
Springfield’s Prime Time Bar. In a
swift move of alcohol-fueled intelli-
gence, Ryan delivered a snap kick
straight to Houston’s gut.
Alcohol, it seems, forms the
backbone of a classic guys’ night
out. But the night out would be noth-
ing if not for women — both escap-
ing them (girlfriends and wives) and
attracting them (strangers in bars), if
even for just an evening. “Nobody
plans a guys’ night out without
girls,” says Andy Ewoniuk, 20.
The act of picking up women is a
complex component of guys’ night
out. “It’s a combination of wanting
to make fun of them and wanting to
hook up with them. It’s a huge com-
petition,” says Graves.
For men who are decidedly off
the market, guys’ night out serves a
different purpose. To them, such
evenings serve as a jail break from
the watchful eye of significant oth-
ers. “Sometimes especially young
guys feel constricted or tied down.
So guys night out lets you do things
that you used to do when you were
single,” said Zack Cords, 22.
Whether it’s an excuse to imbibe
far too much alcohol and participate
in ludicrous schemes, or a way to
attract women but avoid responsibil-
ity, the bottom line of guys’ night is
about bonding.
“Guys night out is all about
memories,” Graves says — memo-
ries of grown men doing together
what makes them happy — even if
it spells trouble in the end.
ew
for a Day
A DIFFERENT KIND OF BOYS’ NIGHT OUT. BY GEORGIA PATERA
I
n a flourish of fluid sexuality, the university
community celebrated guys’ night out last
month in drag. Men dressed as women,
women dressed as men — some defied classi-
fication altogether. The LGBTQA-sponsored
show held in the EMU ballroom gave many a
chance to strut their stuff to win prizes and raise
HIV/AIDS awareness.
Unlike the typical boys’ nights out, there
was no ridicule or unabashed drunkenness.
There were, however, several catcalls, under-
standable given sashaying appearances on the
catwalk by Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie
(avec chihuahua), Sonny and Cher, and several
other celebrity lookalikes.
But even these stars could not overshadow
the main act, DRED (Daring Reality Every
Day), who defines herself as, “Haitian-
American, multi-spirited, performance-artist,
poet, educator, activist, singer, and gender-illu-
sioning woman.” In her solo performance,
DRED set the tone of acceptance for the rest of
the show. “We just need to support and love
each other,” she said. Judging from the crowd’s
cheers, the feeling was unanimous.
Not everything, though, was so touchy-
feely. Jealousy among the drag queens and
kings — albeit good-natured — may have been
the only pitfall. “I officially hate my legs,”
lamented one crowd member. “She’s wearing
the same hair as I am. I’m so embarrassed,”
noted another.
Despite the petty quips, the show was a
huge success. Just goes to show that for boys’
night out, drunkenness and wild antics are not
prerequisites for letting it all hang out.
ew
KELSEY HUWAIDT
T
he bastion of male
bonding
commonly
referred to as guys’ night out
is gaining attention lately as
beer ads and bar rooms
rejoice in the pack mentality.
According to Urban Dictionary, an
online site that lets users define slang
and other pop culture terms, boys’
night out “involves going to a bar or
nightclub and drinking excessive
amounts of alcohol, shouting
obscenities at members of the public,
harassing members of the opposite
sex and generally being obnoxious.”
Kwesi Graves, 22, is no stranger
to this sort of behavior. Built Ford-
truck tough, he is seasoned in the art
of liquor appreciation. “When we
boys go out together and alcohol [is]
around, we are looking for trouble,”
he says.
More than that, guys’ night out
provides the excuse for men to gath-
er in the name of comparing gam-
ing, drinking and ribbing ability
where, according to Andrew
Houston, 24, “You can really cut
loose and get as stupid as you want.”
While the consequences may
include physical injury, public
ridicule or even jail, men continue to
uphold the glorious tradition of
mayhem.
Houston, a guys’-night-out -vet-
eran, had a recent brush with just
such mayhem when he and his
friend Ryan, a black belt in karate,
decided to, “re-enact Fight Club,”
while taking a breather outside
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SWIZZLE APRIL 1, 2004 5