If only Beyoncé were here: thoughts behind "not feeling" Spring Weekend
Spring Weekend, for many of us, was something we all got really excited about. It is a phenomenon here at Brown; students talk about it all year, plan to be on campus for it months in advance (I have actually heard people say, "I don't want to go abroad in the spring because I don't want to miss spring weekend"), and check their homework calendars to make sure they are able to drop everything for three full days. The whole campus gives off wonderfully contagious let's-not-worry-about-life-or-anything-at-all-especially-not-our-livers vibes as the weather warms up.But there are also aspects of Spring Weekend you might not like, and even though a lot of people talk like they're completely obsessed with the event, it's totally okay if you weren't. Maybe you weren't psyched about the musicians (can we PLEASE GET BEYONCÉ), you were not pumped to pay $40+ for festivities, you don't like excessive drinking, you dislike big crowds (I can remember being especially grouchy while Chance was performing because my toes kept getting battered--flip-flops were not the move that year), or maybe Spring Weekend just isn't you're thing. Believe it or not, there WERE people who didn't "do Spring Weekend" this year or who have skipped it in the past, and they've got some totally valid reasons. Take a look.Jana Foxe '16In past years, why have you decided not to "do Spring Weekend"?I'm just not attracted to the idea of paying over my units of legal tender on a ticket to see a concert with a bunch of D-list artists I've never heard of. It's also not tank-top weather until at least June, and I don't want to catch my death.How do you usually end up spending Spring Weekend?I usually go up to Boston to see friends, or I'd hang out in Providence elsewhere. The cool thing about Spring Weekend is that all of the bars and restaurants in Providence are Brown student-free for the weekend, because everyone from our university is stuck on the hill, vomiting into a SciLi locker or something.If you could change one thing about Spring Weekend, what would it be?I'd change the artist line-up! We used to get the likes of Springsteen, Dylan and U2 to come here, i.e. we used to have a Yale budget.If you could say one thing to everyone who regularly participates in Spring Weekend, what would it be?It's all fun and games until someone loses a limb.Have you ever seen Binder? Thoughts?What's Binder?If you could brag about the benefits of skipping Spring Weekend, what would you say?I'm a lover, not a bragger. I just enjoy my weekend and hope everyone else does the same. Anonymously Anonymous '17.5In past years, why have you decided not to "do Spring Weekend"?I don't typically love partying, and I don't really like loud music. I also felt like I didn't have anyone to be with.How do you usually end up spending Spring Weekend?I went to one party, but other than that tried and failed to get work done... Usual weekend.Do you feel that Spring Weekend is either good or bad for this campus? Why?Not sure. A bit of both. It's fun to get everyone together, but some crazy shit definitely goes down. I saw one girl who could not even walk or move her legs. They were like noodles. And two guys were carrying her up the street. It was just insane. I think sometimes people take it waaaay too far.If you could change one thing about Spring Weekend, what would it be?I mean I wish there could be a more laid back version sometimes...
If you could brag about the benefits of skipping Spring Weekend, what would you say?SleepElliot Grossman '17How many times have you opted out of Spring weekend?Every day every year (besides Binder).How do you usually spend Spring Weekend?I do not do anything in particular. I have walked past the concerts before but have not felt very interested. I definitely do not study; I just enjoy the partying vibes.Do you feel that Spring Weekend is either good or bad for this campus?...[it] would be better if it were a three-day weekend. It is good to release pent-up feelings gathered over a possibly long winter.If you could change one thing about Spring Weekend, what would it be?As I said previously, we really need to have a three-day weekend.Have you ever seen Binder? Thoughts?Yes, he is awesome. Binder concerts are much more low-key...and he actually plays music I like.If you could brag about the benefits of skipping Spring Weekend, what would you say?Simply put, I'm superior to you all. Matthew My-last-name-is-none-of-your-business '17In past years, why have you decided not to "do Spring Weekend"?Because it was never "my scene". I am the person who, instead of going out and partying in large social groups like at bars, clubs, or concerts, prefers a quieter existence. Not to sound too fancy, or invoke any snobbery, but I do prefer a good book, video game, movie, etc. to clubbing or dancing, with people I don't knowHow do you usually end up spending Spring Weekend?I try my best to either leave campus for a day or two, head down to URI and see my friends there or stay on campus and finish work and afterwards binge on Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime or all of the above.If you could change one thing about Spring Weekend, what would it be?Get more local artists to show up? A bigger mix of big named bands and local flavor? Because I feel Brown has a lot to do to incorporate more aspects of the Providence community in its image, especially the music community.If you could say one thing to everyone who regularly participates in Spring Weekend, what would it be?Pace yourself, always have plenty of water, food, and FUN! The point of the weekend is to have fun, but also be safe. Not to sound like a overprotective parent, but it is VITAL for us students to take care of ourselves and look out for each other, so if you see someone, maybe even a stranger, faint or need immediate assistance GO GET HELP, call the EMS. And above all, know what your limit for alcohol is, if you don't want to get drunk, know how much is too much. If you could brag about the benefits of skipping Spring Weekend, what would you say?Peace of mind, quiet, and more sleep.Questions? Comments? Concerns?Only this: Spring Weekend should be changed, though not radically. It's an imperfect beast of a weekend and like most human inventions it's "a work in progress." Take care, everyone and be safe! Drink safely, drink water, eat plenty, and have fun!Carol Shi '18In past years, why have you decided not to "do Spring Weekend"?I didn't know any of the acts performing last year, so it was ridiculous to me having to spend $20 per day.How do you usually end up spending Spring Weekend?Last year I ended up having a small party/get-together in my room. I was sick around that time, so I spent most of the weekend trying to get better and studying for midterms.Do you feel that Spring Weekend is either good or bad for this campus? Why?I think Spring Weekend is good for this campus because we get to come together as a community and enjoy the same things. It's also great that people from other schools can come if there are extra tickets and visit Brown.If you've stayed on campus but opted out of festivities, have you witnessed anything funny?I don't remember anything particularly funny happening last year. My best friend and I did witness another friend twisting his ankle right outside the Main Green gates near the Ratty, so we acted as his crutches to get him all the way around the Main Green back to his dorm in Andrews. That was exhausting but funny in retrospect.If you could change one thing about Spring Weekend, what would it be?I think the ticket selling process should be better. They know thousands of people are going to log on and buy tickets every year...the website should not have glitches at this point. .If you could say one thing to everyone who regularly participates in Spring Weekend, what would it be?I heard that people get really pushy during the concert, trying to get to the front. I would say be more respectful. If everyone were more chill, everyone would probably have a better view of the stage and wouldn't feel as uncomfortable.