Garnet & Black Summer 2013

STUDENT MAGAZINE of the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jordan Osborne

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MANAGING EDITOR

ART DIRECTOR

PHOTO EDITOR

ASSISTANT

PHOTO EDITOR

ONLINE EDITOR

PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR

VIDEOGRAPHER

STYLE EDITOR STYLE ASSISTANTS

Stephanie Pope

Riley Carithers

Ashley McGarry

Elle Olivia Andersen

Jeremy Aaron

Tilden Brighton

Claire Richard

Tucker Prescott

Erin Chiet

Anna Mathias

Michael Cottingham

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

Deborah Swearingen, Xavier Edwards, Julia Hienz, Kiante Chapman, Kalyn Oyer, Haley Willard

Rachel Holyfield, Sydney Patterson COPY EDITORS

WRITERS

Aly Russo, Sarah Martin, Tara Suess, Margaret- Ann Carter, Stephanie Brown, Anthony DeCoro, Meredith Gazes, Colin Campbell, Thad Moore, Haley Willard, Lia Grabowski

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Fatima Boatright, Patrick Francis, Hannah Duell, Caroline Weaver

ONLINE

Tilden Brighton, Xavier Edwards, Carman Fowler, Sophie Kerr-Dineen

DESIGNERS

Andrew Szakovits, Kelsey Wagner, Kristmar Muldrow, Sarah Snedecor, Casey Ksau, Daniel Shelley, Hillary Dadouris, Lauren Leadmon, Amory Thome, Summer Benton, Jeremy Darby

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Erin Burke, Kiante Chapman, Angela Cooper, Raven Ellis, Avrie Faulkner, Walker Fritz, Jawondolyn Harris, Ryan Hayes, Rachel Holyfield, Serena Nesmith, Katie Northcutt, Elissa Visotski

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA

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CREATIVE MANAGER

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FACULTY ADVISER

Scott Lindenberg

Sarah Scarborough

Edgar Santana

Kristine Capps

Scott Farrand

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

Adam Harms, Lauren Bailey, Trevor Begley, Mark Olmscheid Chad Hughes, Haley Pope, Frank Pisco, Claire Potts, Brittney Nigro, Ian Peacock, Jake Rose, Michele Dressler

CREATIVE SERVICES

Jemimah Ekeh, George Hinchliffe, Carly Keith, Tucker Prescott, Austin Price, Spencer Weeks

Jeremy Darby, Evan Wu

ADVERTISING (803) 777-3888

TO CONTACT G&B, EMAIL GANDBE@SC.EDU OR VISIT WWW.GANDBMAGAZINE.COM

Garnet & Black magazine is produced four times a year by students of the University of South Carolina and is distributed free to members of the University community. All editors and staff members can be contacted at (803) 777-1149. The office is located in Russell House room 339. Email letters to the editor to gandbe@sc.edu or to Garnet & Black magazine, Student Media, 1400 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208. Letters should be 250-400 words and must include name, address, phone number and academic information (if applicable). Garnet & Black reserves the right to edit for libel, style and space. Anonymous letters will not be published.

Amory Thome is a secondyear visual communications student. In addition to designing for G&B, she also works at the Daily Gamecock. You can see her designs on our Talent Show page.“Working with G&B was something I’ve wanted to do since I started college. I think the best way to learn and get better at any trait is to work with other people who share your interests. The Garnet & Black staff are so welcoming and inspiring, I’m so happy I got to put my work into this issue.”

Third-year media arts major Fatima Boatwright photographed Carolina for Dummies on p.14. “I love being able to view the world through a viewfinder, I call it the art of being invisible. There’s nothing more rewarding than knowing that for a moment, someone saw life through my eyes. And that a photograph can create a unique experience for everyone who views it.”

Stephanie Brown is a thirdyear advertising major with a minor in film from Augusta, GA. She says she contributes to G&B because she wants to be able to give the USC community a unique perspective. Stephanie says, “I’m so glad that I get to work with such a great team that pushes the limits for how topics are addressed in college magazines.”

This first-year criminology and psychology double major has been a consistent writer for G&B’s online blog covering all different topics. Carman says, “I’ve always enjoyed writing. It’s been a wonderful experience writing for a publication of this caliber and learning how to deal with deadlines and writer’s block.”

STEPHANIE BROWN

FATIMA BOATWRIGHT

AMORY THOME

CARMAN FOWLER

Let’s cut to the chase, there’s absolutely nothing more terrifying than watching the few remaining pages of my 2013 academic planner get dogeared away. The “best days of my life” are numbered, and I’m dead-set on making each and every one of them count. How do I plan to do this, you ask? Well, probably not the way my academic advisor would advocate. There are countless ways to make each day worthwhile, but these are a few of my favorites:

Remember – you’ll have plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead. My friends all know that I’m the Queen of All-Nighters and if it means I have to stay up until the sun rises to get everything accomplished, I’ll do it. Even if this means taking a workout break or venturing out for an adult beverage in between, I can absolutely say that every second I enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Meet someone new every day. You never know what kind of connections they may have or how one conversation could change your life. There are 30,000 students on campus and for many of us, this will be the last time we’re surrounded by this much diversity, ingenuity and opportunity.

Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t hustle through the Horseshoe double-tapping the life out of your phone on Instagram. Pay attention to the beauty of this campus because, unless you’re on the Van Wilder plan, your time here is limited.

Spend as much time with friends as possible. This is the last time you’ll all live in the same place and as heartbreaking as that is, you’ll never look back and wish you’d spent more time in the McMaster studios or basement of the Coker Life Sciences building. You will, eventually, find that a drive out to the Woodlands and postponing your

homework until later is much easier than taking a week off of work and booking a plane ticket to the West Coast.

Don’t hold back. Whether it’s treating yourself to an expensive dinner with friends at Blue Marlin or the opportunity to attend a workshop for a skill you’ve always wanted to pick up; do it. It’s easy to say we’re busy now but I think a job, a mortgage and a few screaming children will make us wish we’d taken advantage of this time while we had it. Go to a music festival (p. 22) or indulge with an extra side on your Cookout tray (p. 18) because there’s no time like the present, and today is the youngest you’ll ever be.

Finally, be honest and open with yourself and others. You’ll never have the opportunity to get these years back and the sooner you learn to love yourself and tell the truth, the closer you’ll get to living your best life. Been crushing on your TA all semester? The last weeks of class are coming up, drop him a little hint. You never know what could come of it. Challenge

yourself to new things (p. 30) and focus on you this summer.

I’ll have the rest of my life to spend working. The only thing I know for certain is that I have no idea where I’m going to be a year, a month or even a week from now. I could be Anna Wintour’s next secretary or the assistant janitorial manager at Bruegger’s Bagels; living anywhere from Aiken, South Carolina to Paris, France. I’m not too worried though - as my good friend Dave says, “Turns out not where, but who you’re with that really matters.”

On that note, there is no better example than the staff I’ve had the pleasure to work with this year. Had it not been for them, I know I would have jumped off the Russell House roof several months ago. They inspire me to work harder and be an all-around better person on a daily basis, and I can’t thank them enough for never giving up on me or this magazine. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of us, especially since I know we’ll all be rich and famous someday.

most likely to:

EMPOWER WOMEN THROUGH FILM

BY SARAH MARTIN // PHOTO BY CAROLINE WEAVER

Third-year Film Studies and Media Arts student, O.K. Keyes attributes her inspiration for pursuing a career in cinematography to an island nation in the far east.

“It’s Japan’s fault,” she explains. “I was getting frustrated with physics and on a whim, I decided to take Japanese, which introduced me to animation.”

That spontaneous shift in focus has served Keyes well, allowing her to showcase her passions through film.

Seeking to produce nuanced portrayals of LGBT and female characters, many of Keyes’ films feature strong women in their storylines. Keyes even served as the director of photography for USC’s official “It Gets Better” video, which came out last spring. Speaking about the experience, Keyes remarks, “I didn’t realize how supportive President Pastides was of the LGBT community.”

This budding cinematographer’s work has not gone without recognition. Keyes’ films have won numerous awards, most recently, the Golden Tripod award for

Cinematography at the 2013 Campus MovieFest. Her film, “Black and White,” which depicted racial tension through an exploration in innate rhythm, also won the 2012 Moving Image Research Collections’ Award for Creative Editing.

It is apparent that Keyes is motivated by her love for the craft. In her spare time, she works with local elementary and middle school students to promote media and how it can reconstruct stereotypes. Trying to turn students, “from consumers into producers,” Keyes believes her work with students will teach them to fight cyberbullying and overcome obstacles. As for what is coming next, Keyes says, “My dream is to be a cinematographer for a television series. I love awesome female hero characters, and there just aren’t enough on TV right now.”

To watch some of Keyes’ work, visit USC’s “It Gets Better” video on YouTube.

STEPHEN HOWDEN

Most Likely to Build Cars from Scratch

Imagine a car that is completely personalized and suited to your tastefrom the way it looks to its handling and performance, it is designed by you from the bottom up. That dream may soon be-

PHOTO BY ELLE OLIVIA ANDERSEN

come a reality for third year Mechanical Engineering student Stephen Howden. Aspiring to construct his own cars, Howden began taking wielding and braking systems classes at York Technical College over the summer when he was 17. Now, nearly finished with a trike project that began in August 2011, he documents and features the progress on his YouTube channel “Mechanical Attraction.”

His passion for constructing complex machines first arose as a child, building models of cars and planes. “Building cars has always been an interest of mine. Growing up, I wanted to be the one with the exotic car that people would pause and point at,” he remembers.

Putting that dream into action and serving as the project

officer of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Howden is now trying to garner support for the construction of a Legends racecar. “I’m trying to get the club to take an outdated racecar, fix it up and possibly make it street legal,” he notes. “Hopefully we can get permission to park it in front of Russell House.”

Summarizing his passions and long-term goals, Howden interprets his love of construction as being part of larger interests, stating, “I love to take an image in my head and make it reality. I also love inspiring people… I love to take part in other peoples’ interests, and understand why they enjoy them.” With those motivations, it is clear Howden is well on his way to building those visions a reality.

The sheer amount of passion and devotion that Wilyem Cain emits for representing underprivileged students in his community is enough to give you goose-bumps. A second-year Political Science student from Winnsboro, SC, Cain speaks openly and honestly about his background and how it has influenced what he hopes to accomplish in the future. “My great-grandma died and it devastated me. I became an angry black male and my mom told me I should take time and help kids. On the first day, a little girl asked me to be her friend, and you can’t be angry anymore when a little girl asks you that.”

At that moment, Cain transformed his anger into motivation. Realizing his responsibility as a role model for the children he was helping through the Boys and Girls Club, he began to work harder in school and eventually earned a full scholarship to USC. Now the #1 motivational speaker for United Way, Cain has raised over $19 million to build a teen help center for his community. Recognizing the hopelessness of his hometown and the troubling amounts of violence children are exposed to every day, Cain believes no child should have to go home feeling afraid, noting, “When you know someone cares, you do better. Every time I raise one dollar, I know I am helping someone who needs it.”

Cain cites his greatest influence as James Brown, the Vice President of the Boys and Girls Club. “He became really successful, and began to give back to the kids. That’s what it means to be doing the right thing and to be a good person,” said Cain. Planning to attend the USC School of Law after graduation, Cain hopes to one-day have the capacity to represent the people of his community and give them a voice. He states, “I want to go to law school and eventually work my way into politics. I want to represent kids and be a spokesperson for my community, even become a civil rights activist.” From the extraordinarily inspiring way he speaks of his ambitions, it is clear that Wilyem Cain is well on his way to achieving those goals.

PHOTO BY HANNAH DUELL

BY JORDAN OSBORNE

PHOTO BY PATRICK FRANCIS

DESIGN BY DANIEL SHELLEY

Student Media

Ninety percent of the time that I tell my friends I’m headed certain they’re convinced I’m

adjacent to the Carolina Styles Hair Salon. Yes – there is a hair salon in Russell House.

this fourth issue.students conjured up that day). If Student

material you peruse every morning plenty of student shenanigans to cover Media segments.

a picture of Garnet & Black’s space for

-

a room full of Mac desktops and old disappointing to you.

the hall is the magical music haven headphones and dorms on 90.5 FM. music connoisseur on this station hits off the iTunes top 100 list).

Most students can’t say they do cardio workouts twice a day, lift weights every other day and attend training meetings weekly, while also juggling academic classes and weekend competitions. But those students aren’t members of USC’s Bodybuilding and Fitness Club.

A group of like-minded students, members of the Bodybuilding and Fitness Club dedicate their time on campus to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst its members and throughout the greater USC community. Each year, the club hosts a variety of fitness activities and competitions on

TRY THIS QUICK ROUTINE BEFORE YOUR NEXT WORKOUT

Train like the Bodybuilding and Fitness Club. They performs a group warm-up at the beginning of each training meeting

30 arms circles (15 each)

15 yds High Knees

10 slow push-ups

15 yards Butt Kicks

10 Deep Air Squats

15 yds Straight-Leg Kicks

BY ALY RUSSO // PHOTO BY STEPHANIE POPE DESIGN BY AMORY THOME

campus including a fall octathalon, strength meet and most recently the Mr. and Miss USC Fitness Competition (held this past Saturday, April 13). For third-year Hospitality Management student Heather Cooper, this was her first time competing and training for a fitness competition. She says, “Previously, I had never trained for anything more than a 5K.”

Participation in the club’s athletic events isn’t a requirement to join. In fact, there are many ways for noncompetitive students to become involved. Several members volunteer to organize and run the various competitions. Harrison Greenlaw, former faculty advisor says, “We try to get all the members to learn, whether they are entering or just

I JUST HIT WHAT NEEDS TO BE HIT

—Ron Doiron

officiating.” Some students, like club officer and second–year Exercise Science student Ron Doiron, take advantage of the active community while training for other goals. Currently training for a strength meet coming up in late summer, Ron shares his knowledge with club members, imparting his straightforward approach to training. He explains, “It’s nothing specific, I just hit what needs to be hit.”

Most importantly, the club is

committed to helping everyone achieve their own personal fitness goals and is open to students of all fitness levels. Members generally workout on their own time, but some club meetings are used as training sessions. Club workouts are aimed at teaching exercises that focus on certain parts of the body as well as safety, proper form and other important aspects of training. The more experienced club members help to train and guide newer members.

The club’s focus reaches beyond achieving the right exercise and training regimen. Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet is important to providing

the proper nutrients to reach a specific physical goal. Second–year Exercise Science student, Jordan Hall finds maintaining a low carb, high protein diet and incorporating a lot of vegetables has helped her ease into the rigors of competing for the Mr. and Miss USC competition.

If you are looking to begin a healthier lifestyle or meet a community of active students on campus, checkout the Bodybuilding and Fitness Club during their weekly meetings on Wednesday at 6:30 pm in Blatt 107 or online at carolinafitness.com.

Cleaning Up Your Online Persona

Written by Margaret-Ann Carter

Photography by Fatima BoatwrightDesign by Jeremy Darby

How to make your Facebook unsearchable?

By doing this, people will not be able to add you, you will have to add them. Also by doing this, whenever you post on someone’s wall, your face becomes a question mark and you are non-clickable. But if you’re like me, I already have 3,000 random people that are my “friends” on Facebook so this doesn’t help me fully. (Unsearchable steps to the left)

Do companies and employers really care about your Facebook and Twitter?

Research says, most definitely YES! Even to the extent that some employers have asked possible employees to provide their login information to Facebook and other social networks.

According to ZDNet 56% of employers check applicants social network sites like twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, just to name a few..

dis betch drank 2 much

My parents always tell me, “Once you put something on the Internet, it will never go away.” Not until I started looking for a job and was questioned about what my online persona says about me, did I realize the relevancy of that statement. Nowadays everyone is on social media, including moms, preachers, teachers – and most importantly the people you haven’t met yet. While Facebook and Twitter can be a helpful source of social networking, it can also be a wrecking ball to your reputation.

Even though we all know it’s generally accepted to drink in college, it’s still not something your future employer wants to see. To all the people that think they’re automatically safe because their profile is set to private, I say good luck to you my friend! Nothing is off limits these days. Google employees once posted that, “Your online identity is determined not only by what you post, but also by what others post about you.” Most of the time your first impression is your only impression, so how can you be sure that your personal life won’t get in the way of an opportunity? Though I can’t guarantee your success, I can help you build a better you…at least online.

The Google General Idea

run across something you don’t want others to see, you can visit Me on the Web. This handy little device helps you separate your online identity from your real one. It connects links from your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts to keep track.

LinkedIn

1. A site made specifically to get ahead in job searching and make connections. There are still What Not To Do’s. LinkedIn experts say not to use status updates or post pictures. Another big one; Do Not list your Facebook or Twitter page as one of your 3 websites.

2. Select a profile photo that reflects the most responsible and professional side of you. It should be simple and clearly show your face. Note to self: the picture of you jumping into the ocean from spring break 2013 is not right for LinkedIn.

On to Facebook

1. Some people may think they’re sneaky by changing their name or the spelling of their name while job hunting, but Facebook is designed so you can search people by their email, school or network.

2. Pictures say a thousand words. Look back through the 5,200 something tagged photos and pretend you are an employer. Judge and critique your every little move.

3. The Red Cup stigma, that little plastic red cup really does say it all, without saying anything. Even though you may only be drinking

alcohol. It’s just engraved in our brains at this point. So, DELETE!

4. Once you’ve gone through and deleted any and all incriminating pictures, it’s time to check that status update a year ago where you subtly called your ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend a bitch. It’s time to grow up and get rid of all the comments referring to drinking, drugging and dissing.

5. Check your About section and make sure it shows only the best side of you. Be cautious of posting strong political beliefs or commentary. Stick to being short, simple and direct, they don’t need to know your opinion on every little thing.

Twitter / Instagram

Considering the only thing you can do on these 2 sites is upload statuses and pictures this should be considerably easy, right? Not necessarily.

1. Once again, drinking and saying you’re hung-over doesn’t make you seem like a handworker. Also, get rid of all offensive language and by this I mean curse words, sexual innuendos and drinking.

2. Retweets aren’t off limits, be careful what you retweet because it still reflects you.

3. Debating what tweets to delete can be hard. It’s obvious you shouldn’t talk about getting plastered or doing drugs but what about the tweets that say “I’m such a procrastinator” or “I hate work”. These don’t help you either. No one wants a lazy, procrastinator working for them, so in the future try to talk about all the good things you’re doing and how hard you work!

Blogs/Tumblr

writing skills, and a convenient, in your face way to voice your opinions. Just know that each post is a reflection of you. If you are looking for a career where strong opinions are valued, than a personal account can help an employer see the passion and thought process behind your choices. If extreme opinions are not as welcome, keep post topics related to your career or generalities. Tumblr, probably the most popular blog site, is particular in their privacy settings. Unlike most other sites, you are not allowed to make your default blog

account private. A way to get around this is to make a second blog a password protected blog account and post your sassy opinions there.

Some of these instructions may seem harsh, and that’s because it’s meant to be. Many bosses consistently check Facebook under a pseudonym to make sure employees are in line. You may never know who’s looking at your sites, but you can control what they see. It’s the 21st century; online personas can be what makes us or breaks us.

Honey

9 Lemons

10 Avocado 1 16 | GARNET & BLACK 2013 gandbmagazine.com

In

BY THAD MOORE & COLIN CAMPBELL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY AARON // DESIGN BY DANIEL SHELLEY

Devia Robinson has seen it all. From the woman who walked out of a restroom naked to the man who tried to order a pizza from her sub shop, she’s borne witness to a full cast of drunken characters in her role as a late-night manager of Jimmy John’s in Five Points. But one in particular sticks out to her.

“She was super drunk,” Robinson says. “We called her Mayo Girl.”

As Robinson, a fourth-year biology student at USC, remembers it, this particular customer really loved mayonnaise. Her order was the same every time: a Club Lulu turkey sandwich with extra mayo and a handful of extra packets on the side. The routine was the same just about every night.

When one manager got fed up and refused her the additional mayo, things got ugly. A fiery exchange between the two wasn’t doused in the least when she angrily punched the soda fountain and yanked out all of its spouts, hurling them at the manager while soft drinks sprayed the restaurant. Employees shielded themselves from the spewing soda with their aprons as they hurried to stop the flow. Mayo Girl stormed out, leaving the Devine Street deli for the last time.

“We banned her from the store,” Robinson said.

Drunken antics from the late-night denizens of Five Points aren’t anything new, but nobody knows them better than Robinson and the crews of restaurant employees who work into the wee hours of the morning, serving up the meals that mark the end

of a night

For these workers, the tipsy customers are not only a source of income. They’re a source of irritation and of entertainment. And depending on the night, they’re the best and worst parts of the job.

‘They’re just so rude’

On Wednesday through Saturday nights, Kadijah Clemons clocks in at the Waffle House on Harden Street around 9 p.m., and she doesn’t leave until morning, sometimes as late as 8 a.m.

She goes home to sleep and spend an hour or so with her 2-year-old daughter before her cosmetology classes at Kenneth Shuler start at 9. The day ends at 3:30 p.m., when she goes home for another few hours of sleep and caretaking before starting the cycle all over again.

Because she has such a straining schedule and such little sleep, Clemons says her customers’ attitudes influence hers a lot — sometimes, one table can make or break a night. Those who are pleasant and tip well make her night, but rude and stingy customers can get under her skin.

“Those customers that run you, and run you, and run you, for nothing — and then they have such bad attitudes — I really hate that,” Clemons says. “And it puts me in a bad mood. I think, ‘Oh my gosh, somebody go take over that table, ’cause I just can’t do it.’”

“You have those people who just come in here, and they’re just so rude, because they don’t have a life and their life is so miserable,” she says.

Five Points restaurants, customers’ drunken antics are part of the job

Qdoba manager AJ Shoemaker isn’t as concerned with customers’ attitudes as their cleanliness. On St. Patrick’s Day, the restaurant’s busiest day of the year, trash piles up in the booths, in the bathrooms — everywhere. The floor gets so dirty it turns black, obscuring its tiles.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen this place that destroyed,” says Shoemaker, 23, who has worked at Qdoba for about a year and a half.

Normal weekends aren’t quite as hectic, but they can still be pretty messy. The main concern for Shoemaker, and for employees at any establishment that caters to a latenight, largely intoxicated crowd, is vomit.

Antoine Harley and Eden June are all too familiar. The two Benedict College students, a third-year English major and a second-year mass communications major, respectively, are in charge of keeping the front lobby and bathrooms of Cook-Out clean, a challenge at the Harden Street fast food staple.

“Oh my god,” June says. “The worst part about working this shift is people throwing up.”

‘It’s always something different’

While Mayo Girl never returned to Jimmy John’s, employees there started noticing an odd trend last year, Robinson says. Every so often, a delivery order would come in for a Club Lulu sandwich with extra mayo and more packets on the side.

She was undeterred.

Robinson and the rest of the staff were shocked by her persistence, but restaurant employees throughout Five Points and Columbia’s late-night scene say their jobs leave them incredulous all the time.

Just ask Jon Plato. He’s a delivery driver for Insomnia Cookies and Domino’s Pizza, so most weekends find him waiting on the porches of Columbia’s house parties.

Over the past few years, that has made for some interesting encounters. He’s never

quite sure who — or what — will greet him at the door. Plato’s most memorable delivery was to a man who emerged wearing only a paper plate. Others have opted to wear less, streaking past him (or at him, as the case may be) as he drops off their food.

“Normal college things, I guess you could say,” Plato says, sitting at Qdoba around 10 p.m. on a quick break from work.

And about twice a night, he’s met with a certain kind of generosity — invitations to parties and offers of beer and, well, other substances.

Standing with Shoemaker behind the counter, Dee Haynes, 21, says she’s seen some of that sharing spirit herself.

She remembers watching a customer walk outside to a parking lot with his burrito and sharing it with a homeless man, passing it back and forth one bite at a time.

“It’s definitely interesting working here,” Shoemaker says. “It’s always something different.”

Over on Greene Street, Hannah Young says the nights and the chaos of Pita Pit’s peak hours all blur together — a medley of fights, lines of indecisive customers and hours of churning out pita wraps.

But as far as Young, 20, is concerned, the most intriguing part of the job is off the clock, when she and her coworkers step back and observe late night’s milieu from the restaurant’s front stoop.

Their hangout sits in the hub of Five Points. It was stirred into a panicked frenzy earlier this semester when a man opened fire on a police officer across the street; it’s just uphill from the fountain, where cab lines meander and groups congregate; and it’s along the main connector of campus and the bar district — on the way downtown or on the way home.

Racking her brain for what she finds most interesting about a night on the job, she throws out a few memories from working inside the restaurant, but it’s the antics outside that she settles on.

“Actually, the most entertaining thing is when we sit outside and smoke cigarettes and watch the drunk asses that walk by,” Young says.

‘What makes me come to work every day’

When a woman walks into Cook-Out wearing a tiara with a yellow feather boa and a 21st birthday checklist draped around her neck, June, the lobby manager, bounds toward her.

As they pose for a photo, a few men jump in the frame, and one starts to sway before a friend holds him up. June smiles for a Snapchat with another patron. A few minutes later, she’s walking around the restaurant with a single yellow feather plucked from the boa, tickling a few customers on the ear as she passes by.

In the meantime, she tends to the restaurant’s housekeeping. She mops, picks up bits of trash from the floor and confiscates a wet floor sign from a group who’d put it on their table. All the while, June belts out a few rhythm-and-blues tunes.

June’s singing has won her some recognition among the restaurant’s regulars. Walking around with a mop, she is

stopped by one customer who makes a song request. She happily obliges.

Every so often, she says, the whole restaurant will join her, singing along to Alicia Key’s “No One,” and other tunes.

“When I’m out in the streets sometimes, I feel like a celebrity, because they’ll be like, ‘That’s the girl from Cook-Out,’” June says. “I love my customers.”

While she and Harley, her coworker, willingly acknowledge the downsides of working the Cook-Out night shift, they both say the customers keep them coming back. They say the entertainment and interactions make it all worthwhile.

“What makes me come to work every day is you guys, because the check is not even worth it,” Harley says. “I could do better, [but] it makes you want to be here to see the next customer that comes in.”

June nods in agreement and adds that she enjoys connecting with so many different people in various walks of life and states of mind.

“People are usually in their own little world, and you never know what’s going on,” June says. “You don’t know if they’re having a bad day or they just had a breakup,” so being able to make them smile, she says, gives her great satisfaction.

And just as rude people can drive Clemons, the Waffle House server, crazy after several days of classes and work, cheerful and polite ones can make up for it.

“The best part of my job would be my customers,” Clemons says. “If I’m having a bad day and I just come in and my customers are here, they make my night so much smoother.”

Robinson, the Jimmy John’s manager who’s been known to patronize the deli herself on nights in Five Points, says despite all the exasperation of a long, late-night shift, it doesn’t take much to keep her happy.

“Just don’t throw up everywhere, and we’re pretty good,” she says. “That could be our slogan — we can deal with your shit, just don’t throw up.”

“You have those people who just come in here, and they’re just so rude, because they don’t have a life and their life is so miserable.”

WANT TO GET AHEAD IN THE FALL?

Student Leadership in the Workplace is designed for student employees (both on and off campus) to learn how to value their position as more than just a paycheck. There are significant and beneficial transferable skills that all student employees gain from whatever their employment experience is. The goal is to help students appropriately frame their employment experience and maximize their potential so students can get the most out of their job.

Student leadership in the workplace

It’s more than just a paycheck

Professional Development Certification Program

Designed to help students develop their leadership and become a better employee through varied workshops, on-line training sessions, and resume critiques.

NAtional student employment week

A celebration organized to acknowledge and reward student employees for the amazing work they do. Celebrate with free giveaways, a recognition breakfast and award ceremony, and much more.

Break with a boss

Students can take their supervisor to a free lunch on campus in an effort to foster relationships between student employees and supervisors.

On the job leadership coaching

One-on-one sessions with a Leadership Coach to discuss issues pertaining to your employment as a student. Topics can include (but are not limited to) how your employment relates to your major/career/long term goal, professional etiquette, and goal setting.

www.sa.sc.edu/leaders/slw

to:SUMMER MUSIC FESTS

BY ANTHONY DECORO // PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE POPE // DESIGN BY JORDAN OSBORNE

Every year around spring, when flowers begin to bloom and the weather becomes bearable, the topic of discussion on campus tends to get a little groovier. Lucky for us, with sunshine and summertime comes an abundance of outdoor music festivals.

To get you started off on the right path, here is a guide full of helpful advice, tips, tricks and resources to help you prepare for your next music festival adventure. Doing some research and deciding what you want out of a music festival is key to ensuring a successful trip. You should be aware and take advantage of everything the event has to offer—you are paying for it, after all.

Choosing the Festival

First thing’s first: find the right festival. Things to consider when making a decision include the date, location, tickets and festival lineup.

To find a festival, try searching online or visiting your favorite artist’s website to see their upcoming tour locations. Websites that provide information on a multitude of upcoming events make finding the festivals that interest you much more convenient. To jump-start your search, try some of these sites:

1. musicfestivaljunkies.com

2. diffuser.fm

3. jambase.com/festivals

4. everythingmusicfestival.com

Once you’ve picked out a few favorites, weigh the pros and cons of each and choose the best option. Are you stuck, or can’t decide between two? Try listening to the set list on a music streaming website, you could find some new favorite acts.

Check out the music software Spotify, which allows festival promoters to upload playlists that feature music from artists playing at certain events.

Cutting Costs

Tickets come at a premium, especially for college students. The experience is worth the price, but planning ahead is important. Festivals normally have different ticket price tiers and the earlier edition tickets are usually cheapest.

Volunteering at a festival is one way to off-set costs and possibly even pay for your ticket and entry. But be aware of what you are signing up for, as responsibilities can get in the way of fun time. Some festivals even require a down payment fee from volunteers. At the end of the festival, the money will only be refunded given all volunteer responsibilities are fulfilled.

A typical volunteer program functions as a work exchange program. If you work for “x” amount of hours during the festival, you are given a ticket and a camping zone (if applicable).

Information about volunteering can be found on music festivals’ websites. Applications are normally only accepted for a limited time so be sure to submit one early. Volunteering hours are announced prior to the festival too, so you have time to decide what acts you want to see.

Pre-trip Preparation

Once you’ve bought your ticket, the next step is finding transportation. Is the festival across the country or state? Do you want to drive? Is flying there a possibility? Transportation can be the most costly aspect of going to a festival, so finding the most reasonable mode is important. Many travel websites offer plane and train deals that are often paired with a hotel. Arranging a carpool between friends is the easiest way to cut gas costs and add a fun road-trip element to your music festival experience.

Music festivals can take place in dense urban cities or barren, remote fields. Depending on the type of festival you chose, accommodations can vary from tent-pitching to ritzy city hotels. Sites such as couchsurfing.com and airbnb.com are great resources for finding free or cheaper local places to stay.

Be sure to note if the festival allows for exit and re-entry, too.

What to Bring (or Not Bring):

The memory of my first music festival is still clear in my mind. The summer after my senior year of high school, my best friends and I planned a road trip to the Bonnaroo Music and Art Festival. We gathered information for weeks, talked with friends who had previously attended and read articles we found online. We thought we had everything covered. Food…check, money…check, gas…check; however, what we were not anticipating was having half of the “fun” things we’d brought thrown away during a bag check as soon as we entered the grounds.

Festivals normally have strict security policies posted on their websites that you should be familiar with prior to packing. Upon entering most festivals you are subject to a search, which may include, but it is not limited to, your car, bags, coolers, tents and body. Also, a cheaper and less gut-wrenching alternative to bringing your $900+ DSLR camera is bringing a few disposable cameras and passing them out to your buddies. Document your experi-

ence on a whim, and don’t worry about quality of the shots. The ability to be less worried about your camera will help you get that “artsy” angle regardless of your equipment.

Even with all these tips and tricks at your disposal, things may not always go according to your plan. Believe me when I say that looking back on your festival experience, you won’t remember how you missed Kendrick Lamar’s last song, but you will remember when your favorite artist casually waltzed by after his set as you awaited your turn at the port-o-potties. Music festivals tend to attract a wide variety of people but everyone is there for the same reason—good music. Embrace the people around you and introduce yourself to your neighbors. You never know, the guy you lent some toilet paper to on the first day may be the same person who saves your tent from blowing away in the wind later on.

Above all, remember the top three rules of music festivals: no matter what you end up planning, where you end up going, or who you end up taking, have fun, don’t stress and expect the unexpected.

DESIGN BY SARAH SNEDECOR

DO’s & DON’Ts

DONT’S

Glow sticks

Fireworks

Glass Bottles

Nice Clothing

Electronics

Valuables

Rely on cell phones

DO’S

Bring cash. Although there are usually ATMs staggered throughout festivals, they are usually crowded and you run the risk of them being out of order. And you have to pay a silly ATM fee. If you know you will be spending a lot of cash, try and have it with you beforehand. You wouldn’t want to miss getting to see your favorite new artists.

Use protection! Sun protection that is. A chaco tan may be cool but red and blistering shoulders won’t be fun to deal with while pushing through a packed crowd. Remember to reapply and use sunscreen with a high SPF. A wide brimmed hat and sunglasses are key items that you shouldn’t forget.

Water, Water, Water. (At least 3 cases) You don’t want to be in a medic tent with an IV in your arm while your friends are watching A$AP Rocky. Here’s a tip—if you buy a case of bottled water and freeze it a few nights before you drive they will keep your food supplies cold.

Food and drinks. There is usually plenty of vendor food, but sold at vendors prices…so bringing your own food might be a good idea.

Alcohol. Different festivals have different policies on this so check their websites.

Toilet Paper (trust me, you don’t want to run out of this and porta johns aren’t known for their reliability).

Prepare for the elements. Bring your rain gear and clothes that will dry easily, festivals don’t stop just because of a little H2O. Tip: Ziploc bags are a great way to protect your valuables.

Clorox wipes. At some music festivals, showering can become, well...optional. Not to mention, a cool and refreshing moist cloth is a great way to cool down during the heat of the day.

Garbage bags. Tip: baby powder deodorizes yourtrash.

Have a plan. Whether it is bad weather or losing your buddy in the crowd, set up specific locations and times to meet up throughout the day to avoid confusion.

Make your campsite or car distinguishable.

Finding your tent after an intense day of raving, dancing, singing, and sweating can be a very difficult task, especially when your tent has a backdrop of 75,000 other tents. Make identifying your campsite or vehicle easier by giving it some flare and making it stand out. Building a flagpole of some sort is a common and easy way to go about this.

Also don’t forget to bring fold out chairs and shelter from the sun. Making sure you have a crash zone to power nap is crucial.

Once you have decided on a festival, bought tickets and nailed down remaining logistics, it’s time to start familiarizing yourself with some of the do’s and don’ts of music festivals.

BRAS & BRAWN: THE MALE AND FEMALE PSYCHE

Can't live with them, can't live without them. At some point you've probably entertained the idea of staying single; there'd be no one to nag you, or, conversely, to ignore you while continuing to play Call of Duty for what seems like the 12th hour. Everything was fine at first, so is your significant other intentionally trying to get under your skin? Well, not necessarily. Research dating back to the early 90's points to some clear differences between guys and gals, some of which are a byproduct of evolution (or devolution depending on your stance) and the previously unexplored functions of certain parts of the brain. So as much as we know about members of the opposite sex, there's still plenty we don't quite understand -- men are from Mars and women are from Venus after all.

VIDEO GAMES:

There's been a lot of talk over the years about the ways in which video games are ruining an entire generation of young males. This time consuming pastime is often used as a scapegoat for laziness or anti-social behavior, a sentiment popularized by psychologist and Stanford professor emeritus, Philip Zimbardo. But as it turns out, there's some science behind your boyfriend seeming unable to turn off his Xbox, the most prominent factor being a large release of dopamine in the brain. In 2008, the Standford University School of Medicine found that brain activity associated with reward and addiction was much higher in men while playing video games. And as it turns out, dopamine is also responsible for feelings of euphoria, motivation and pleasure so maybe it's not so bad after all.

INFIDELITY:

As a general rule of thumb, you probably shouldn't cheat on your girlfriend, but where does this inkling for infidelity come from? Well, for certain males, it may boil down to genetics. A 2008 Swedish study found that the presence of a gene called Allele 334 can cause men to feel less attached to their partners because it interferes with parts of the brain that promote monogamy. And men with two or more copies of Allele 334 were that much more likely to cheat. Successful long-term relationships were certainly possible; however, men with this genetic variation reported feeling less attached to their partners, and women could sense this as well. That being said, I should stress that this explanation isn't going to save you when your girlfriend catches you cheating. Verify at your own risk.

BY XAVIER EDWARDS & RILEY CARITHERS

PHOTOS BY JEREMY AARON DESIGN BY CASEY KSAU

THE STRONG SILENT TYPE:

So there's this guy who doesn't say much -he dresses fairly well, doesn't fiddle in his desk and only speaks when called upon by a teacher. It's a bit strange, really, but there may be a reason for men exhibiting what's generally called a strong, silent type of behavior. As children, girls develop sophisticated language skills much faster than boys because they use an area of the brain specifically for language encoding and decoding. On the other hand, boys only use specific areas of the brain depending on if the information is conveyed orally or visually, which leads to slower linguistic development. This, combined with accepted gender roles, may explain why the guys in your life don't feel like talking much, especially when it comes to their feelings.

SEXUALITY:

Birds and bees the world over are doing it, but for some reason your partner only wants to show you some love after certain conditions are met. What gives? As a male, it's completely natural to think about sex more often than your female partner, regardless of her acting in a sexual manner towards you. There's even some science behind your staring at that pretty lady across the street, even when you know it'll send your lady over the edge. As it turns out, the hypothalamus, which is responsible for controlling body temperature, releasing hormones and controlling sexual behavior, is about twice as big in men as in women due to testosterone. Also, Stephan Hamann, a researcher at Emory University conducted a study that showed that the male amygdala, which processes emotions, was more responsive to sexual stimuli than the female amygdala. Indeed, it seems both a blessing and a curse.

GOSSIP: INTUITON: MEMORY:

Women talk. They talk about their day, clothes, feelings and well, just about every other person that walks by. Gossiping is an inevitable part of life, good or bad, and one that is more often committed by the fairer sex. But as history shows, gossiping has held a functional place in the way women navigate society.

David Geary, professor of psychological sciences at the University of Missouri, suggests that this form of relational aggression actually helped women survive at one point in time. In tribal days, women were shuffled into a new tribe after marriage, and having strong language skills was helpful in adapting and settling into a new community. Research from scientists at Northwestern University supports a physiological relation between superior language and communication skills in females. In the days of sticks and stones, men may have had spears and weapons but women had their words.

Do you ever wonder how your girlfriend or mom can always tell when you’re in a bad mood? Whether you like it or not, you know they’ll repeatedly pester you with, “Is everything okay? Are you sure?” Often, your resounding, “I’m fine,” doesn’t get them to lay off but you need to know you can’t fault them; they are only acting on natural instincts.

Author Dr. Louann Brizendine suggests that a more active mirror-neuron system is responsible for females greater aptitude to empathize. In action, empathy is the ability to read facial responses and vocal intonation. It’s suggested this is a natural evolutionary trait that has evolved more strongly in women, stemming from the necessity for a mother to interact with and respond to their young children non-verbally.

So in a way, women can read your mind; hence why they always expect you to read theirs.

When it comes to confrontation or being wronged, it seems that a woman never forgets. Dr. John Gray, author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, sites research showing there may be a physiological explanation for why a female’s memory is, in fact, stronger than that of a male.

The area of the brain that functions as the “memory center” (the hippocampus) is larger and more active in women than men. This area is specifically responsible for converting short-term memories into longterm memories – a good thing to remember for communicating in relationships.

So ladies, cut your guy some slack next time he forgets your favorite latte order. And fellas, when your female counterpart brings up the time you bought the wrong laundry detergent three months ago, try to forgive her, she literally can’t help but remember.

Show Your Pride with

Y Y 90

days

Navigating your way through the A MANUAL for

SUMMER HAZE

BY: STEPHANIE BROWN// DESIGN: LAUREN LEADMON

What separates you from everyone else? You’ve got to keep in mind there are millions of other people out there who are living to the fullest. They constantly entertain us with their YouTube videos, tweets, risk-taking, talents, and etc. How can you differentiate yourself?

open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew

to

Too often we just read about and think of ways we can make positive changes to our bodies. Turn these ambitious goals into per week and watch these healthful tasks get easier to complete as the weeks roll on.

budget, it’s important to be penny-pinching just because you don’t think you’ve yourself, too and allows you to really enjoy the company of people around you to hit the clearance rack half-price drinks) or Target, and buy something it’s time to get up

endurance builds over time nicotine, energy drinks or study aids (Adderall, Vyvanse). to a complete cleanse

“Makeyourself more interesting”

“PhysicalChallenge”

Yo Self!”

“Treat (Parks & Rec, anyone?)

It’s summer...hallelujah!

No more late night study sessions, papers to write or deadlines. No more rushing to class only to spend 20 minutes having to look for a parking spot. But let’s face it, how many carefree summers do you have left? Are you going to make the most of this one or will you opt out for the sloth route? (i.e. sleeping late, eating last nights leftovers for breakfast, stepping over a week’s worth of laundry to get to the bathroom, hangovers from hell…)

There are no excuses. Take advantage of this time to dig yourself out of a rut, make new habits, break old ones, be happy, and live hysterically. I have found in my own personal journey of improvement that it is never too late to begin and it’s always too soon to give up.

Your Manual: Your Manual: (It’s simple!)

Just pick one activity per week from each of the categories below... and watch your summer of change unfold! Let’s get started:

how

“Reflection” (MulanStyle)

When was the last time you were intentionally quiet? No, I mean really quiet. Try actually concentrating on your thoughts without distractions. Be still, be mindful and allow yourself to think before every action.

o Take this day to write them down

“SimpleLiving”

Festive

Warrior

Photographer: Elle Olivia Andersen

Assistant Photographer: Patrick Francis

Stylist: Erin Chiet

Style Assistants: Michael Cottingham, Anna Mathias

Hair/ Make-up: Amy Schaming

Models: Mary Miles, Maria Camila Alzate, Marquis Johnson

Design: Stephanie Pope

T on Mary: top, pants, armcuff: Bohemian; handpiece - Erin Chiet

On MarquiOn Marquis: button down, slacks - Gentleman’s Closet; bracelets - Erin Chiet

iOn Mary: shirt, bandeau, pant, necklace- Bohemian; bracelets - Erin Chiet

On MarquiOn Mary (right): shirt- Bohemian; necklace, sunglasses - Erin Chiet

On MarquiOn Maria: dress- Bohemian; Tapestry- Loose Lucy’s; necklaces, bracelets - Erin Chiet

Headpiece - Designed by Erin Chiet

On Maria: suede vest, crop top, shorts: Bohemian; earrings, bracelets - Erin Chiet; Headpiece - Designed by Erin Chiet

On Marquis: shirt- Gentleman’s Closet, Boardshorts, glasses- Salty’s Board Shop; necklace, bracelets - Erin Chiet

Tapestries - Loose Lucy’s

Problems Problems Carolina Carolina

SHOULD CONCEALED WEAPONS BE ALLOWED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES?

Consider this: A criminal, for whatever twisted reason his dark mind spins, decides to commit a murder. Is he going to change his mind because guns aren’t allowed where he plans to go? If he’s in a mindset to commit a horrific crime, the illegality of his weapon in a gun-free zone probably won’t deter him. Is he going to choose a place where people could be armed or where civilians have no means of defending themselves? Average citizens are being set up for failure.

Those against the idea of concealed carry, especially on college campuses, often worry this allowance would create more gun-related incidents. However, the nationwide rules for owning and carrying a concealed weapon still apply on campuses. According to South Carolina law, this includes: being over the age of 21, completing a handgun education course, providing a complete set of fingerprints for a background check and renewing the permit every four years.

Although South Carolina has passed a bill that legalizes the carrying of firearms in certain establishments that provide alcohol, it is still illegal for a person to carry if they are drinking. With all of these considerations, those who choose to carry a concealed firearm would likely be qualified and using it for the correct purpose, self-protection.

What are your #CarolinaProblems?

Tweet us @garnetandblack and share your Carolina Problems.

Many states have already begun to change their laws. Five states specifically allow concealed carry on college campuses, and 23 states have left the decision to each university. Allowing concealed carry on college campuses certainly doesn’t mean that every person will carry; however, even the small percentage that would choose to would provide a much greater line of defense against any senseless acts of violence towards our students. If someone is considering attacking a student, he may think twice knowing that there are or could be other armed people nearby.

If the school shootings continue to be glorified on every media outlet accessible to mankind, somebody with a gun will do it again.

The proximity of both recent and tragic school shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and Coastal Carolina University shake me to the core. My hometown is two hours away from Sandy Hook, Conn. and USC is only two hours away from CCU. Schools are losing recognition as safe environments for students and staff, who depend on higher learning for education and employment.

In regards to these recent shootings, the idea of concealed weapons on campuses gives me an uneasy feeling. It is difficult to distinguish who will use a weapon, like a gun, for defense purposes or as a threatening device. Many prominent authorities have been discussing safety in schools since December, and many seem to worry that another school shooting will happen in the near future. If something is not done to prevent the easy obtainment of weapons, it is likely that more shootings will happen.

No, I do not like the idea of concealed weapons on campuses. The shooters who had weapons in their possessions did not use and were not inclined to use their weapons for defensive purposes, but rather as threats and murderous tools. It may take a brave act of someone, other than authority, to show the country that having a gun can be used to prevent devastation and/or save a life. Until then, it is too risky to allow concealed weapons on school grounds.

STUDENT FIREARMS ASSOCIATION

“To support proper handling of firearms for safety and sport.”

For more information email sosfa@mailbox.sc.edu or check

www.facebook.com/groups/studentfirearmsassociation

BY: TARA SUESS DESIGN: ANDREW SZAKOVITS //

PYRAMID SCHEMES:

the pyramid scheme. You may have already heard of

you signed up for. for that.

Spotting a pyramid scheme is actually pretty easy once and you might sense that they try a little too hard to get

TRAVEL SCHEMES:

1.

and many of those victims are college students. To ensure money order.

REMEMBER:

lines of vouchers to Wendy’s rather than gourmet dinners.

IDENTITY AND CREDIT THEFT:

3.

2. over the Internet.

overhearing your name and they can claim drinks is.

4. it gets out of hand.

“COLOR

G&B OPINION:

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU KNEW AS A FRESHMAN?

DESIGN: KELSEY WAGNER

“Learn which professors are important in your department and then make sure they know you.”

“HOW TO FLAG A CAB.”

-

“Simply saying ‘hi’ could change your life. Being shy

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what you want to do yet, just that you take the time to get involved in whatever ways you can.”

- Blake Welch

FOR GIRLS:

“Don’t wear your Carolina Card on a lanyard and disregard everything else they tell you at orientation.”

“When a girl says she’s never done this before... She’s absolutely lying.”

ILLUSTRATION BY SUMMER BENTON

ILLUSTRATION BY ASHLEY MCGARRY

- Corrie Jolly

- Shane Gilmore

- Mitch Thompkins

Lexi Nugent

“I wish I knew to study less and enjoy college more.”

- Adam Kess

- Stephanie Pope

- Jesse Fayne

“Freshman year was the most fun I never want to have again.”

- Chad Hughes

- Molly McNutt

- Lizzie Addington

UPCOMING EVENTS

BY MEREDITH GAZES // DESIGN BY HILLARY DADOURIS

2013 Indie Grits Festival

April 12-21

Presented by the Nickelodeon Theatre, this festival began in 2007 with the aim to “empower all levels of Southern filmmakers with an independent mentality and far-reaching artistic scope.” Featuring an array of cultural events unmatched in the Columbia area, the 11-day film festival is truly a community event. Visit www. indiegrits.com for more info.

QUIDAM by Cirque Du Soleil

April 24-28

Tickets: $37+

Quidam is based in a whimsical imaginary world created by a young girl, searching to escape her monotonous life. Described as ‘a circus for adults,’ Cirque Du Soleil’s high flying stunts and breathtaking performances never disappointCelebrities such as Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen are just a few who have witnessed this grand event. Tickets are available online or at the Colonial Life box office.

Weekdays @7:30 p.m.

Saturday @ 3:30 & 7:30 p.m

Sunday @ 1 & 5 p.m. www.coloniallifearena.com

Artista Vista

April 25-27

Catch live music, dance performances, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres at the Midlands’ largest free gallery crawl. This event will take place all throughout the Vista where there will be pop-up installation art, music, and other entertainment. Visit www.artistavista.com for more information, hours vary.

USMC Mud Run

April 27

Team-of-4 Price: $170

Even if there seems to be a different race every weekend in Columbia, the USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run is very different than your typical 5k. This 6.2 mile race was originally designed by a Marine DI and contains over 36 obstacles. This challenging event supports the Greater Columbia Marine Foundation, which raises money and awareness for Marines, Veterans and their families who have been wounded or killed while serving our country. But be warned: the website says, “no empty promises, you will sweat, you will probably bleed…” Are you tough enough? Start times begin @ 7:30 a.m. Registration available on race day. www.usmcmudrun.org

Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes Nation Tour

May 4

Location: Williams-Brice Stadium

Tickets: $31.50-$227

Kenny Chesney will be back for the first time since breaking his foot at the Colonial Life Arena in April 2008. However, this time he will be rocking out WilliamsBrice Stadium with the Zac Brown Band, Eli Young Band and Kacey Musgraves. This is a great way to end spring semester or, for seniors, a perfect way to say goodbye to Williams-Brice with one last night in the stadium.

Tickets are available online or at the Colonial Life box office. www.coloniallifearena.com

The Rosewood Crawfish Festival

May 11

Tickets: $9 in advance, $12 day of When: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Did you miss New Orleans for Mardi Gras? Well this festival, in its eighth year, brings elements of New Orleans right here to Columbia. The festival features over 7,000 pounds of fresh Louisianagrown crawfish as well as other dining options for those who aren’t big fans of crawfish. So come out and “laissez les bon temps rouler” the French way! (Let the good times roll) This event will take place on Rosewood Drive , Visit the website for further diretions. www. rosewoodcrawfishfest.com

Columbia Style Week

June 11-15

In its second year, Columbia Style Week promises to bring local fashionistas even more than before. This year there will be four nights of runway shows, 36 designer showcases, 29 fashion venders, over 120 models, 38 photographers and big names from both local and nationwide markets. Among them, Mike Kelton from US Weekly Magazine, Luis Machicao an International Fashion Designer, and more.

For more information on this event and other related pre-events, head over to: www.columbiastyleweek.com.