Eastern Illinois University - Warbler Yearbook (Charleston, IL)

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The new Union's Rathskeller Coffeehouse performances put l multi-talented, not only good singers-but fantastic musicians and comedians as well by P. J. Bosak It doesn't look like your ordinary, run-of-the-mill college cafeteria, because it isn't. The Rathskeller is more than a place to grab a bite to eat between classes. If you have never taken a leisurely stroll down into the basement of the new Union addition then you are missing a treat. The somber surround- ings lend a touch of history to the rustic atmosphere. The immense wooden beams bring back visions of the German beer cellars--the only effect missing is the bar maids. Designed to be used as a cafeteria, the Rathskeller does offer the students of Eastern an atmosphere suitable for a quiet romantic dinner for two at a reasonable price. The menu is similar to that offer- ed in the Panther Lair, but it is of a much higher quality. In these days of the S20 dinner, it takes the burden off the student budget without forcing the hungry couple to resort to the quick food franchises and their impersonal senfices. But food is not the only thing that is served in the Flathskeller. lt is more import- antly a place to go for enter- tainment. For those nostalgia buffs it is a return to the days of the coffeehouse per- formances that were the rage back in the '6O's. The management saw fit in their planning to include a small stage for the exact pur- pose of presenting local and national talent to the student population. All has not been roses for the Rathskeller though. Plagued from the beginning, the new addition was originally to have been completed prior to the fall semester of 1974. Finan- cial troubles within the general contracting firm in the spring fi in ws. Once the ball starts rolling. .Rathskeller gatherings have been steadily gowing since the first show in February of 75.

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Yes, the magazine .format is back again this year, folks, but you will notice quite a few changes as you look through the 1976 Warbler. For one thing our book is regularly bound. But more important are the magazines themselves--each was designed by section editor. And this is the first. The Warbler magazine is designed to provide some interesting reading as well as giving you a quick review of the year. In it, you'll find a study of the overcrowding problem, a look at Schuetzenfest, and a story of the success of the Rathskelleri and its coffeehouse performances. So this is it. l'll take the time to express my gratitude to a multitude of people in the closing section. Just a word to the readers--I hope you will read our book. A lot of the pictures and art work are nice, but our words are important, too. Hope you enjoy it. Jiifmeefw Karen Knupp 1976 Warbler editor WFll2BL6-II2 the Union's Rathskellar: Coffeehouses draw the crowds 1975's Schuetzenfest: A beer lover's haven The enrollment increase' Is Eastern over-crowded? Parent's Weekend UB concerts: It was a very good year Theatre Arts: A year in review The music program: The students and their studen UB lectures: From Stroup to Meade A glance across campus ts

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it on its feet of 1974 delayed construction until the contract was picked up by another firm. Finally in December, 1974, the new addition was completed but the opening of the Rath- skeller was delayed because of problems involving staffing and checking the kitchen equipment. The task was completed and on February 2nd the first coffee- house performance was a real- ity. ln terms of being a finan- cial success, it was a flop.Few people paid to see Divided We Stand that first night and the tally sheet showed a loss of 3395. Increased publicity has helped improve the gate receipts for the shows but the coffee- houses are not presented with making a profit in mind. Bob Sullivan, Coffeehouse co- ordinator for the University Board, pointed out that fact quite clearly. We don't hope to make a profit on the shows because that is not our pur- pose. We try to give the stu- dents exposure to some local talent as well as nationally- knows talent. Sullivan said that as long as the coffeehouses break even he will continue to keep the ad- mission fees to a minimum. The Rathskeller is funded al- most 70 per cent by student fees so it seems only fair that the cost to the student remain low. Since the initial performance in February of '75 the talent showcased has been excellent. Many of the artists have al- ready recorded albums with major recording studios prior to coming to Eastern. Such head- liners as James Lee Stanley, Betsy Kaske and Ross and Bowles have delighted enthus- iastic audiences in the Rath- skeller. Sullivan said that the crowds haven't been as large as was hoped due to several factors. Eastern, like many colleges, has a large portion of the student body that relies on booze to