On a chilly Thursday night, the Blind Duck pub transformed into a honky-tonk hotspot. Flocks of UTM students dressed from head to toe in cowboy-themed attire in order to be a part of the UTM Athletic Council’s “Giddy Up” pub night.
In past years, UTMAC has held fun-themed pub nights, like 2012’s “Toga Pub” and 2013’s Hawaiian-themed “Get Lei’d”. Paige Rasbach, UTMAC’s director of special projects, came up with the idea of the western theme, and the council agreed to make it happen. The decor of the pub was definitely photo-worthy, with cow-patterned balloons, a “face in the hole” picture stand, and bushels of hay—procured from a garden centre—placed on the sides of the dance floor.
The doors opened at 10 p.m. on Thursday, with the first 30 people receiving Canada-themed cowboy hats and horseshoe-rimmed glasses. DJ Josh Ivezic kept the party going until 2 a.m., setting up a stage and flashing lights. The pub was well received with a strong turnout of about 350.
“People loved the theme, the music, and the whole vibe of the event,” said UTMAC president Andjela Ocicek.
Ocicek is beginning her second year as president of UTMAC, and has been involved with the council for the past four years. Despite the success of Giddy Up, UTMAC is looking to stick to their traditional limit of one pub per year. Ocicek and her team worked throughout the summer to organize other events, however, starting in June with screenings of FIFA World Cup games and hosting a “Survivor Challenge” on day two of Frosh Week.
UTMAC’s plans for the rest of the semester begin with a Leafs game on October 8 at the Air Canada Centre. Ocicek says UTMAC is collaborating with UTMSU and Residence Council on the game and will provide transportation. Other events include a Raptors game, an oatmeal breakfast, an athlete appreciation night, and a video game tournament.
