2008 Woodie Awards
The Underground receives a new look
Danielle Marcantuono
Issue date: 2/10/05 Section: News
The Martin Luther Underground is currently undergoing a face-lift. Built in the summer of 1994, the Underground was the scene of a weekly coffee house sponsored by the Residence Hall Association (RHA).
However, not long after opening, daily patronage began to dwindle. According to Becky Grace, Director of Student Activities, the doors of a new and improved Underground will soon be open to attract and entertain a large student audience once again.
Grace explained that the plans for renovation were devised from the demand to accommodate a growing interest in student performances.
She said, "I would say that Muhlenberg probably has one of the biggest populations of student performers, both bands and individual artists, when compared to some other colleges. We have so many performers looking for a venue, that places like the Red Door and Seegers Union cannot provide enough space for everyone."
Grace noted that over 50 student performers have already requested a performance space for the current semester.
The renovation plans were drawn up by the Programming Committee, a group formed in order to act as a voice for the Student Body on a number of campus-wide issues.
"This committee really listens to what the students are asking for when it comes to making additions and changes on campus," said Grace. Grace also explained that the invitation to join the committee was open to all of the Student Body and is not sponsored by the Muhlenberg Activities Council (MAC).
The committee examined the Underground in the Fall of 2003 and determined that it would serve as valuable programming space that would need some fixing up. "The committee realized that many students didn't like the look of the Underground since it's rather outdated," stated Grace.
Grace also stated that many student performers are apprehensive about using the space because it is often difficult for them to transport necessary equipment there such as amplifiers and microphones, down a flight of stairs after entering. According to Grace, the committee's main concern was "to make the space more accessible to the needs of the performers. We [the programming committee] put in an order for portable technical equipment that could be stored in the Underground.
However, not long after opening, daily patronage began to dwindle. According to Becky Grace, Director of Student Activities, the doors of a new and improved Underground will soon be open to attract and entertain a large student audience once again.
Grace explained that the plans for renovation were devised from the demand to accommodate a growing interest in student performances.
She said, "I would say that Muhlenberg probably has one of the biggest populations of student performers, both bands and individual artists, when compared to some other colleges. We have so many performers looking for a venue, that places like the Red Door and Seegers Union cannot provide enough space for everyone."
Grace noted that over 50 student performers have already requested a performance space for the current semester.
The renovation plans were drawn up by the Programming Committee, a group formed in order to act as a voice for the Student Body on a number of campus-wide issues.
"This committee really listens to what the students are asking for when it comes to making additions and changes on campus," said Grace. Grace also explained that the invitation to join the committee was open to all of the Student Body and is not sponsored by the Muhlenberg Activities Council (MAC).
The committee examined the Underground in the Fall of 2003 and determined that it would serve as valuable programming space that would need some fixing up. "The committee realized that many students didn't like the look of the Underground since it's rather outdated," stated Grace.
Grace also stated that many student performers are apprehensive about using the space because it is often difficult for them to transport necessary equipment there such as amplifiers and microphones, down a flight of stairs after entering. According to Grace, the committee's main concern was "to make the space more accessible to the needs of the performers. We [the programming committee] put in an order for portable technical equipment that could be stored in the Underground.