The Wolf 09_18_2015 by Loyola Maroon

The Wolf magazine

Nightlife outside of the cliché MY JOURNEY THROUGH NEW ORLEANS NIGHTLIFE

NEW ORLEANS OUTSIDE THE QUARTER

LIFE AS NIGHTOWL

Krystal in gs st al s, 10 WAD 12 K ry FULL PAGE llo n o f Te a & ha lf ga

2713 S Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125

The Wolf

Editor’s Note

magazine

hen I first moved to New Orleans, I wasn’t prepared for the sunheated asphalt and tacky neon signs. I was terrified of the sweaty tourists brushing against me and dreaded taking the hour-long streetcar ride to an area that was described as New Orleans nightlife. I was misinformed. New Orleans is too diverse Photo by Starlight Williams to be confined in 0.66 square miles of space. The French Quarter is beautiful, but exploring nightlife in the city from Uptown to Mid-City and all the districts in between can be an adventure too. For the students chained to the Quarter, I encourage you to discover a different side of New Orleans. While Bourbon and Frenchman Street always provide a party, Uptown streets such as Oak and Maple provide just as much fun. There is a whole city calling out to you. So if you would rather do trivia night with friends than go to The Boot, then right on my friends. Or maybe you would rather stay home and catch up with your best friend, Roberto le Penguino and Netflix. I won’t judge you. Nightlife in New Orleans is what you make of it, so make your four years here count and live outside of the cliché. Have fun exploring,

Issue 1 / Volume 74 September 18, 2015

STAFF Wolf Editor Starlight Williams Editor-in-Chief Mary Graci Managing Editor for Print Emily Branan Managing Editor for Electronic Properties Rebeca Trejo Maroon Minute Executive Producer Raymond Price Photo Editor Zach Brien Copy Editor Lawson Box Design Chief Naasha Dotiwala Contributor Mary Graci Contributor Gage Counts Contributor Gabriel Garza Contributor Nicholas Ducote Contributor Lester DuhÉ Contributor Rebeca Trejo Contributor Lauren Saizan Contributor Jordan Fountain Cartoonist William Hernadez Sales Manager Alisha bell Business Manager Carolina Arias Distribution Manager Gabriel Garza Social Media Coordinator Lester DuhÉ Advertising Art Director Khadija aziz Faculty Advisor Michael Giusti

Starlight Williams Editor, The Wolf Magazine

ABOUT US

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Wolf Magazine is a publication by Loyola University New Orleans Student Media and does not necessarily reflect the views of Loyola’s administration. Unless otherwise noted, all content is copyright to the Wolf Magazine. The first copy is free to students, faculty and staff. Every additional copy is $1.00.

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FRONT PAGE PHOTO BY ZACH BRIEN

Horoscopes The stars are aliging for you this week. Be on the look out for a redhaired man. He will surely lead you down your destined path. Roses are red, violets are actually purple. Your love life is going as well as this poem. Take a poetry class first before trying for a date again.

For the week of Sept. 14-19 For entertainment purposes only Stay away from the tacos. Your stomach will thank you later. The nachos should be good though so enjoy. Late nights will catch up with you. Go to sleep. Sleep is not for the weak. In fact, it makes you stronger. So do your vitamins.

The dark days are approaching. Keep a happy mindset before the dark, long nights eat away at your inner light.

Finish one task before starting another. You will gain many enemies if you contiune on your path to destruction.

Maybe you should delete that Tinder app and take a moment to take care of your self. Love will come to you in its own time.

Your perfect Christmas present is just about to appear suddenly. Do not ask questions. Just smile and say thank you.

It is okay not to be always right. Listen to both sides of the arguement before jumping into battle. It may save you your life. Quitting is not an option. While times may seem rough, you will be suprised at the smooth waters waiting for you.

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Put the cat back.

If you keep partying, you will find yourself in an awkward spot. Give your liver a break for the week. Your body will thank you.

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Drinking and the Law By Mary Graci It’s a common misconception that where alcohol and New Orleans are concerned, age doesn’t really matter. No one cares if you drink in college, right? Even if you are under age? Well, whether your experiences reflect that mindset or not, you need to know the law. In Louisiana, the legal drinking age is 21. For anyone under the age of 21, it is illegal to purchase or “publicly possess” alcohol. “Public possession” includes possession of any alcoholic beverage for any reason or consumption, on any street or highway or in any public place or any place open to the public. However, it is legal for someone under 21 to drink under the following circumstances: (1) for an established religious purpose, (2) when accompanied by a parent, spouse, or legal guardian 21 years of age or older, (3) for medical purposes when purchases over the counter or prescribed by a medical professional, or (4) in a private residence. If you are caught trying to purchase alcohol underage, or are caught “publicly possessing” an alcoholic beverage, you can be fined $100 or imprisoned for up to six months, or both, and you may have your license suspended for up to 180 days. It is illegal for someone (besides a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 years of age or older) to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone under 21. That person, if caught, could be fined $500 or imprisoned for up to 30 day, or both. If you are caught trying to buy alcohol with a fake ID, the penalty will most likely include suspension of your driver’s license. If you are under 21 and caught once you are already drunk, Louisiana has no legal prohibitions in place. However, if caught drunk in public, you could be fined for public intoxication (or disturbing the peace) if the officer finds you to be overtly hostile towards bystanders or excessively loud in a residential neighborhood late at night. And if caught drunk on Loyola’s campus, the school can take disciplinary actions against you and contact your parents. If you return to the residential halls drunk (at any age), the desk assistant is required to stop you from returning to your room and call an ambulance to take you to the nearest hospital. However, there is no state-imposed liability for hosting underage drinking parties. So, the moral of the story is be responsible and know the law.

Editors’ Picks

Here is a list of drink that, according The Maroon editorial board, will never steer you wrong MOJITO GIN AND TONIC

STRAWBERRY MARGARITA

REISLING (WHITE WINE)

FIREBALL AND COKE

WHISKEY SOUR

VODKA SPRITE WITH LIME WHISKEY WITH COCONUT WATER

ICE TEA

It’s happy hour

somewhere Compiled by Rebeca Trejo Graphic by Starlight Williams

RUM PUNCH No matter what kind of day you’ve had, happy hour is the time to settle down, unwind and enjoy your favorite drinks at a much cheaper price with your friends, family or coworkers. Here are seven spots with some of the best happy hour deals around the city for the on-the-budget individuals - because you just can’t say no to $3 beers. 1. Pizza Domenica is the go-to spot for happy hour in the Uptown area. Located at 4933 Magazine St., between Napoleon and Jefferson Avenues, the restaurant offers half price pitchers of beer on Mondays, half price bottles of wine on Fridays and $3 house brand drinks on Saturdays. Pizza Domenica is open seven days a week, from 3-6 p.m. and also offers half-priced pizza. 2. Looking for that pre-gaming spot to enjoy your beers accompanied by a side of football? World of Beers is the place for you. With 40+ taps, the bar runs a happy hour every weekday afternoon from 3-7 p.m., offers a late night happy hour Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. until close, has live music on the weekends and hosts trivia nights on Thursdays. 3. Bar Tonique, located on 820 N. Rampart St., has a happy hour from noon to 5 p.m., running Monday to Friday. Their deal-hour consist of daily special cocktails for $5 and a

ROOT BEER Graphic by Khadija Aziz new bi-weekly late night pop up on Wednesdays with $3 cocktails. 4. On Monday, Johnny Sanchez offers half-off pitchers of house margaritas from noon to 6 p.m. They also offer half-off house wine, half-off draft beer and $3 well drinks happy hour deals, starting at 3-6 p.m., seven days a week. Johnny Sanchez Nola is located at 930 Poydras St. 5. Ale offers different special deals every night. Located at 8124 Oak St., Ale has one of the best happy hour specials as follows, Monday Flight Night, Tuesday $2 off pitchers, Wednesday, two-for-one well drinks, Thursday $1 off pints all night, Friday $1 off beer and liquor from 3 – 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday $5 mimosas and bloody mary’s. 6. Known for its delicious grapes, Brady’s Wine Warehouse also has a pretty good happy hour special. Located at 1029 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd suite C, this place offers a free beer tasting from 5–7 p.m. every Friday. This happy hour requires previous registration. 7. Apolline is known for its amazing happy hour specials. Every Tuesday through Friday happy hour begins at 5 and ends at 6:30pm with half-price beer, wine and well drinks throughout the entire restaurant. On Wednesdays, the bar’s specials include $5 glasses of wine and select bottles for $20 all night long.

My journey through N By Gage Counts In high school, I wasn’t attracted to alcohol. I didn’t go out, and my nights were spent just like my days – substance free. Partying was something that “bad kids,” or people who didn’t have obligations and aspirations, did. And when a good kid partied, it was because he forgot who he was. I lived in a very small, culturally conservative community. After graduating, I didn’t leave that community. My first semester at college was spent at a local university. Then, drinking and partying wasn’t something I judged anyone for – it just wasn’t something that made me comfortable. I transferred to Loyola in the spring. Worrying that my world was too small, I decided that I would give partying a chance. After all, I was in college – in New Orleans no less – and that’s what college students did. I made friends almost as soon as I got here. They asked me if I drank and made it very clear that if I didn’t, that was fine, but they did. I had imagined that this was when I would learn what peer pressure really was, but I didn’t. I told them I drank wine with my parents over dinner, and they dropped the subject. I think they found my innocence to be endearing. That Saturday, I walked into my suitemates’ room for a pregame, and as I had just spent the past few minutes learning basic drinking terms online, I felt prepared. I knew

my rums from my vodkas, and I was ready to step into this new world that I had avoided for so long. I survived the pregame just fine, which only served to bolster my confidence. That newly gained poise was lost as soon as I turned the street corner and saw the popular college bar, The Boot. Most of my night at the bar was spent keeping an eye on my freshly-minted friends. As I was at a bar in college, I assumed that the horrible stories on the news would be actualized in my life. Nothing happened that night, but it’s still a habit I haven’t grown out of. I kept a similar routine for most of the semester, and each night, I would learn something new. Friday, how to order at a bar. Saturday, what Tulane Emergency Medical Services was. My tastes developed as the semester did. I went to better bars, house parties and even rushed a fraternity (to the shock of my friends from home). I made it through Mardi Gras without collapsing from exhaustion. I went home for the summer with a chip on my shoulder. Regretfully, my grades suffered. Yet, my nightlife as a freshman caused me to develop relationships with people who became important to me and taught me more about the world than the semester’s worth of classes ever could. If I could do it over, I would have studied more. Going outside of my comfort zone, and experiencing a new part of the world, though, is something that I will pridefully carry with me my entire life.

h New Orleans nightlife

By Mary Graci If you ask a senior college student what the nightlife of the Big Easy is like, what do you expect me to say? Taking shots of tequilia with strangers at Oz? Playing the penny slots for unlimited free drinks at Harrah’s? Barhopping through the French Quarter alongside tourists? Or realizing that 90 percent of the drunk patrons at the Boot are underage? Or perhaps that Mardi Gras is just a more dangerous and crowded version of any given weekend in the city? Well, it’s all of those things. But, it’s more, too. Yes, true, you’ve come to college in a city that loves its drinking and always seems to have a party around every corner, but is that really all there is to New Orleans nightlife? As someone who grew up in the Greater New Orleans area, I spent my high school weekends in this city that never sleeps; by the time I was a freshman in college, I thought I’d seen it all. As the city takes the phrase “age is only a number” seriously, I didn’t think there was much I hadn’t done. Freshman year summed

up: What is the easiest and cheapest way to get drunk? Four years later though, it’s different. Nightlife as a senior is only going out on weekdays to avoid the crowds. It’s heading out early to hit the 4 o’clock happy hours. It’s grabbing a beer with the friends you haven’t seen in forever because they all graduated and now work in the real world. It’s wine tasting on the weekends and going on tours of breweries because alcohol is more than just a means to an end. It’s grabbing a nightcap with your coworkers after a long day of work. It’s hitting every trivia night in the city you can with your busy schedule because you love nothing more than the satisfaction of winning. And sometimes, it’s not drinking at all, it’s just crashing after a long day with your two best friends: Netflix and your dog Charlie. Nightlife can be whatever you make of it, but something that changes from freshman year to senior year – you’re an adult now. It opens up dozens of doors for you but makes those hallways that much narrower. So seniors, don’t try to keep up with the freshman. Just have fun and be responsible.

Graphic by Naasha Dotiwala

Nightlife with a competitive twist Compiled by Mary Graci

Pull up a chair, set up your game pieces and grab your favorite drink because bars with board games is the next trend sweeping the night scene in New Orleans

The Other Bar on Freret Street

Half Moon Bar on St. Mary Street

Finn McCool’s Irish Pub on Banks Street

Stay home, study, then sleep

Pal’s Lounge on N. Rendon Street

Z’otz on Oak Street

Barcadia on Tchoupitoulas Sttreet

Bars that offer cold beers and hard liquor with a side of friendly competition

Drinks and board games, these places knows where it’s at

These places offer just the right amount of caffiene to keep those board game skills strong

Coffee shops around the city that also cater to the board game crowd

Bruno’s on Maple Street

Cafe Envie on Decatur Street

Stay home, study, then sleep

Neutral Ground on Danneel Street

Fair Grinds Coffee House on Ponce De Leon Street

Stay home, study, then sleep Rook Cafe on Freret Street

Mojo Coffee House on Freret Street

Graphic by Starlight Williams

Hit the mark with these drinking games Compiled by Starlight Williams Quarters. Take turns trying to bounce a penny off the table into a short glass. If you miss, take a shot. If you miss three times, you get to make a new rule. Sip Sip Shot. Think Duck Duck Goose with alcohol. Each bopped person takes a sip of their drink until the bopper chooses someone to say “shot” to. The shot person has to leap up, chase the bopper around the circle, and try to tag them. If they succeed, they take over as bopper; if they do *not* succeed, they have to take a shot. High or Low. Using a deck of cards, a player has to guess if the card dealt is high or low. If correct, guess again for three more turns before

continuing or passing. When incorrect, the player must drink to the seconds numbered on the card. The player with the most cards wins. Sevens, Elevens and Doubles. If a players rolls a die as seven, eleven, or doubles, then they get to choose a player to take a shot. The player must drink the entire shot before the next player rolls or they must retake the shot. If none of these numbers are rolled, then the next person rolls.

Quarters

King’s Cup

Sip Sip Shot

Liar Liar

Beer Pong

Sevens, Elevens and Doubles

Liar Liar. A player must decide if another player is lying or telling the truth. If the player’s guess is correct, the other person must drink. If the player is wrong, then they must take the drink.

Never have I ever

High or Low

Graphic by Starlight Williams

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nola under 21

Shots, shots, shots, shots, shots, EVERYBODY (except for those under 21). While the New Orleans party scene may seem drenched in alcohol and 21+ fun, here is a list of things to do when you are under the drinking age By Starlight Williams 1. Frenchmen Art Market - A collection of art crafted by local artists, the Frenchmen Art Market attracts tourists and locals year-round as it showcases the culture and art of New Orleans. 2. Dancing – From a feisty salsa to some back breaking twerking, dancing in New Orleans is for all ages. For those wanting at sultry dance, the Eiffel Society hosts free tango lessons on Tuesdays from 7-10 p.m. When you are ready to let your hips do the talking, every Friday, The Penthouse at The Maison turns into a salsa and reggaton lovers dream. Swing into each day with the Nola jitterbugs who offer free swing dance classes at d.b.a. on Sundays at 5 p.m., Mimi’s in the Marigny at 8:30 p.m. on Mondays, the Spotted Cat on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and at Vaso at 6 p.m. on Thursdays. And for those who like to dance to a strong base, the Dragon’s Den coverts to an electronic music lovers haven every Sunday at 9 p.m. While having fun outside the Den is free, to get through the door, there is a $10 cover.

3. Live music – Whether you are on the rock and blues prowl with your pack at the Howlin’ Wolf, jamming to a variety of genres at Tipitina’s, or trying out the newest dance moves at the Republic, New Orleans is a music lover’s oasis for good music. For those who wish to experience quality jazz, Preservation Hall and the Jazz in the Park series on Thursdays in the fall and spring might be just for you. Along with a good cup of coffee, The Neutral Ground coffee shop offers locals a chance to perform folk music. On certain nights, Gasa Gasa hosts 18+ shows that feature local and upcoming artist. Regardless if you are in Uptown, the Quarter or anywhere else in between, New Orleans offers always nightlife with a musical twist. 4. Burlesque shows – Feeling a little daring? New Orleans provides a plethora of burlesques shows that are bound to keep the eyebrows raised and your attention focused. 5. Trivia night – Put your college learning to the test and spend your week nights

with friends at the various trivia nights in the city. On Sundays, Bruno’s Tavern at 7 p.m.; on Mondays, Baracdia at 7p.m., Finn McCool’s Irish Pub at 8 p.m. and 45 Tchoup at 9 p.m.; on Tuesdays, Tracey’s at 7 p.m., Siberia and Dat Dog at 7:30 p.m. and The Rendezvous Tavern at 8 p.m. On Wednesdays, The Irish House have trivia at 7 p.m., The Prytania Bar at 7:15 p.m., Dat Dog and Mellow Mushroom at 7:30 p.m., Bricks Courtyard Bar & Grill, Homedale Inn and Twelve Mile Limit at 8 p.m. and Half Moon at 10 p.m. Finally on Thursdays, Carrollton Station has its trivia at 7 p.m., The Rusty Nail at 8 p.m. and Pal’s Lounge at 8:30 p.m. 6. Cafe du Monde - Open 24/7, Cafe du Monde is a New Orleans must for both locals and tourists alike. Originally established in 1862, Cafe du Monde stands as one of the oldest businesses in New Orleans. This coffee shop is known for its beignets, which are square French-style doughnuts topped with powdered sugar. Come with friends to share a plate of their legendary beignets. Jordan Fountaine cont ributed to this piece

Graphic by Naasha Dotiwala

NIGHT LIFE

OUTSIDE OF THE QUARTER

By Nicholas Ducote

Graphic by Mary Graci

Going to school in New Orleans can lead to a high-paced, hectic and fun lifestyle. There’s always something to do in this city, especially if you know the right places to go. Many people who’ve lived here for years still find it hard to venture to places outside of the French Quarter. It’s become a faux pas to go downtown to grab a couple drinks with friends and family. So when it’s time to go have a night out and let loose, maybe check out these venues instead. Cooter Browns Tavern and Oyster Bar is a cozy tavern for anyone and everyone. It’s welcoming for either loud sports fans trying to catch the game or even for a quiet evening with your pals. If you’re looking for something a little more intimate, check out the private bar in the back of the tavern known as the “Snooty Cooter.” Kelsi Irion, a recent LSU nursing school graduate who lives in Uptown, loves this bar for its many facets and has been going there for years. “I love coming to this bar. I know the bartenders by name, and they always let me sample their awesome foreign beers. I come here to chill with my friends all the time in the back, and it’s also great for watching football,” Irion said. A refreshing bar that everyone needs to try is Bayou Beer Garden. The garden has a nice atmosphere in the front, as well as in the back patio. The drink selection is appealing, and the garden has been a charm-

ing stop for locals for years. It also provides one of the most underrated bar snacks the city has to offer. The garden’s “disco fries” are something everyone needs to try and has become a vice to Allison Spears, UNO student, and other locals. “This bar is one of my favorite stops. I crave their disco fries. It’s also a nice, relaxed bar away from the headache of downtown,” Spears said. A bar that everyone needs to start and end their night at is Twelve Mile Limit. Michael Hennessey, A’15, likes the scenic bar, and thinks its one of the best grills in the city. Their cocktails and barbecue have left locals coming back for more again and again. Twelve Mile’s loaded tots, brisket and Bloody Marys are out of this world. The bartenders are patient and craft top-notch drinks. The neighborhood is in the process of being gentrified, but it’s safe and still pleasing to the eye. “The neighborhood is right on the cusp of Tulane Avenue, so many people will drive by it and never know. I like everything about this bar, though. Their brisket put on top of their tots is too much to handle, and the drinks make me salivate,” Hennessey said. All of these places are a nice trade from downtown New Orleans. They offer a fun getaway that everyone needs to check out. So next time friends or family are in town, bring them to the right place. Downtown is great, but this historic city has more to offer than what we see on a postcard or the Food Network. Go where the locals go. You won’t be disappointed.

NIGHTLIFE AT HOME

By Lauren Saizan After spending a week of late-night studying, taking stressful classes, and worrying about life after college, going out on the weekends can seem like a hassle. If you’re looking for a night in at Loyola University, students know just how to spend it: relaxing and recharging. Resting the mind can mean different things for different people. Some people like to unwind by themselves or in the company of others. Addie Smith, world religions sophomore, said that taking some time out for herself and de-stressing can sometimes involve other people in the process. “Taking time for yourself is extremely important because you have to live with yourself every day, and it’s important to learn to love who you are. If it’s late at night and I need some self-time, a good thing to do is to walk around the front

of the school with my friend in silence, a little bit a part from each other. That way we’re both safe but can also be alone with our thoughts to process our day and our life,” Smith said. Bushra Ahmad, biology sophomore, said that sleeping, hanging with friends and watching TV are all ways that she likes to chill. “Stress ruins you. It builds up in you and drives you crazy. It gets into every nook and cranny of your life and overwhelms you. It leads you to make terrible decisions, so any outlet you can find is good,” Ahmad said. Ella Jacobs, digital filmmaking sophomore, said that going to your room to relax may not always be an option because you have a roommate, so it’s important to find other ways to relieve stress. “If I feel like I’m about to stress myself out, I take 10 minutes just to push everything aside and meditate for a bit

or journal away. In a sense, it’s like selftherapy to be able to just get everything out there,” Jacobs said. Netflix is a popular way to unwind for Kristen Herrero, management and marketing junior. “I personally love to be alone and watch TV or Netflix because watching shows automatically lets me escape reality. I could watch a show that correlates to how I feel and put on something that will make me laugh,” Herrero said. Alex Pucciarelli, theater sophomore, said that she likes to work out to relieve stress, something that Amanda Barry, political science sophomore, also enjoys through kick-boxing. “I ended up in the hospital last year because I didn’t take enough time for myself and it worries a lot of people you love. You’re the person you’re with 24/7 from birth, so you have to make yourself good company,” Barry said.

Cartoon by William Hernandez

Date night in New Orleans By Gabriel Garza Photos by Gabriel Garza and Mary Graci Planning a date can be a daunting task for anybody. What is perhaps the most stressful part is finding someone to ask. However, luckily for students at Loyola University, they live in a city called New Orleans. New Orleans is known around the world for its music and food. Common tourist attractions, such as Bourbon Street, are usually over-crowded and aren’t ideal locations you would want to take someone on an intimate date. In an ideal world, money wouldn’t be an issue, but since we all know the reality of penny pinching, most of these date ideas are cost efficient for the wallet of a college student. There are plenty of exciting, endearing, fun and romantic ideas you could use for your next date in New Orleans.

1. Picnic at the Fly – As a student in Uptown, you have probably heard of this place called The Fly. Located on River Drive, The Fly is a place you can find a gorgeous view of boats floating along the Mississippi River. There is plenty of open grass where you can have a nice, quaint picnic. You have the option to prepare some food together or pick it up on the way. Grab something cool to drink, lay down a blanket and you are ready to watch the sun set on the Mississippi River. Full disclosure, this idea is also very cheap. 2. Rock ‘n’ Bowl – A throwback to a time in which bowling was the most fun you could have on a Friday night. Rock ‘n’ Bowl is located on 3000 S. Carrollton Ave, which is just a streetcar ride away from Loyola’s campus. A lane for you and your date will cost you $24, but is well worth the money for some competitive fun. They also have food and, on some nights, live music. 3. Mini Golf in City Park – What could be more fun than using an object called a putter? City Putt in City Park is a fun 36-hole mini golf course, and qually fun for both people involved on the date. Located on 8 Victory Ave., a round of mini golf will cost you a convenient $8. 4. Bike Ride through City Park – Once your mini golf date has gone over well, drive the golf cart around City Park and find the golf balls you shot over the fence. Exchange the golf cart for a pair of bikes and the two of you can ride through the largest public park in New Orleans. There is also a small amusement park around the corner, which would potentially make a good second date. 5. Explore the French Quarter – If you haven’t had the opportunity to travel around the French Quarter on your own, then asking someone on a date can make it better. You both can delve into the unique chaos that is the Quarter and find places you didn’t even know existed, together. Avoid the overly crowded touristy areas and the date is bound to succeed. A couple of important destinations that you should definitely hit are Café Du Monde for beignets and the edge of the Mississippi

River for a view of the steam boats. 6. Audubon Aquarium – You know how they say there are plenty of fish in the sea? Well, while you are out exploring the French Quarter with your date, maybe if things aren’t going so well, spice it up with a treat and visit the Audubon Aquarium. Tickets can be a bit expensive at $23.95 per person, but since it’s known as one of the best aquariums in the country, it’s totally worth it. 7. Swing Dancing at the WWII Museum – There are classier places for you and your date to go dancing than The Boot or The Palms. Held on Sundays at the World War II Museum, swing dancing lessons are at 1 p.m. for people of all ages. Admission is $10 per person but well worth it if your smooth dance moves get you a second date. 8. Karaoke Night – With locations on Maple Street and S. Carrollton Avenue, Little Tokyo is a convenient spot for karaoke night. Delicious Japanese food and the option to rent your own private karaoke room, this date combines both dinner and entertainment in one neat little package. 9. Comedy Club – If you can’t make your date laugh, then why not a place where the both of you can laugh together. Voted the best place to see comedy in New Orleans by Gambit Newspaper, La Nuit Comedy Theater is located right on Freret Street. For those with enough courage, the comedy club also offers open mic at midnight. 10. NOMA Sculpture Garden – Take a leisurely stroll through New Orleans Museum of Art’s Sculpture Garden. This garden is home to over 60 sculptures by renowned artists from around the world. On Fridays, the museum is known for hosting movie showings and live music. University students can receive a discount by showing their student ID for an $8 admission. And an even better deal is on Wednesdays, admission is free to all Louisiana residents. However, the Sculpture Garden alone is always free, so maybe if your wallet is a little light, ixnay the Monet paintings for just the garden.

By Lester Duhe While you may be sleeping soundly in your bed, pillows fluffed, lights off and tucked under the covers, some people do not have this seemingly simple luxury. College students are widely considered to fit this mold, due to high-level courses, unusual job hours, stress or even partying all night. With the intense stress of school, Jasmine Nikdast, biology senior, would strongly consider herself a forced insomniac. “When everyone else is sleeping, I’m usually not. With my major, biology pre-med, there is an immense amount of work and studying that needs to be done, and most of the time, there isn’t enough day time to complete it all,” Nikdast said. Mary Staes, desk assistant at WWLTV and mass communication senior, works the overnight shift on the

weekends at WWL from midnight to 8 or 9 a.m. While her work hours may be difficult, she believes the lack of sleep is worth it. “I work when most of the world is asleep, and I sleep while most of the world is awake,” Staes said.”Work really gives me a feeling of satisfaction and importance, but I really wish I was asleep,” Staes said. Lauren Vega, visual arts junior, said her mind becomes more active before going to sleep forcing her to stay awake into the wee hours of the morning. “I get anxiety about having to go to sleep, my mind keeps racing, and I have lots of restless nights,” Vega said. While trying to fall asleep is difficult for Staes, Nikdast and Vega, sleeping pills are a priority to catch some z’s, according to Nikdast. “It helps to shut my mind down,” Nikdast said. In order to try and get some sleep,

Vega has put together some tips for herself that help. She tries to drink less caffeine, limit her television and computer usage at night, and tries to go to bed not too late and not too early. While staying up all night may have some perks, less sleep definitely impacts their daily routines. Nikdast believes that while she may feel she has more energy from staying up all night, it greatly affects her throughout the day. Vega said that she wants people to understand that insomnia is a real issue and can’t be willed or forced away. “It’s real, people always tell me just to relax and go to sleep, yet they don’t understand that I can’t do anything about it,” Vega said. Counting sheep, staring at the ceiling, scrolling through their phones, tossing and turning, and pulling several all-nighters in a row: this is the life of an night owl.

Graphic by Naasha Dotiwala

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