Recap of Union South opening weekend
Grand opening video filmed and edited by Capture House Video.
The huge orange ribbon waited patiently until just noon on April 15. In a rush, it was cut multiple times and more than 2,000 students, faculty, staff, and Union members hurried in to discover the wonder that is the new Union South. Without exception, jaws dropped as guests moved quickly throughout the building, exploring every nook and cranny they could reach. Exclamations of ‘amazing’ and ‘awesome’ echoed throughout every level. Crowds filled halls and stairways until it was difficult to move. Nevertheless, students made their way though the mobs to devour every ounce of food available.
From the moment they arrived, students instantly began establishing their home. Bodies packed into the Sett for bowling and pool, and didn’t leave all weekend. The restaurants boomed and hummed with hungry chatter. A young woman became the first musician to take a turn at the baby grand piano in Varsity Lounge. Studiers found tables, chairs, and coveted electrical outlets in every space–laying out their books and computers as if it was just another day.
During the dedication ceremony, Chancellor Biddy Martin shared an anecdote about students enjoying playing pool in the Sett, along with her view that the iconic yellow, green and orange Terrace chairs, not only represent the organization and the university, but also the diversity of the people the Wisconsin Union brings together.
The Marquee, the Union South’s “wow-inducing” 350-seat cinema, was jammed with happy film-goers all weekend long. The Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD) film committee programmed seven different blockbusters, highlighting the advanced capabilities of the campus’s new premiere film venue. The screenings attracted more than 2,000 attendees during the weekend, with more than five times that many who just wanted to tour the beautiful space.
Guests gathered during the evening for the Of Montreal concert in Varsity Hall. Music enthusiasts arrived with their faces decorated in makeup and accents reminiscent of a modern-day KISS show to see the wild, psych-pop band. Attendees flooded out of the concert with ears ringing and faces smiling, and moved the party down to the Sett stage area for DMF, DJ’ed by Nick Nice.
Saturday’s cold weather dampened no spirits and the energy level peaked just as high as the day before with the return of Badger Bash. Doors burst open again at noon to throngs of people, this time with many more community members, families and kids in attendance. The crowd devoured more than a thousand brats in under an hour, and eagerly chomped through the Bucky cupcake mosaic the staff had assembled. The Badger Alumni Band along with Bucky himself (of course) took the energy level higher and higher.
Inside, guests enjoyed bowling, pool, movies and even more food from Urban Slice and the Sett. An arts celebration gave designers and artists a chance to talk about their works of art showcased throughout the building as well as what it means to be part of the sustainability efforts of the Wisconsin Union. The evening ended with a lively concert by Owen Pallett in the Sett, part of WUD publications committee’s Lit Fest. Salsa lessons were followed by a dance with a live band that shook Varsity Hall once again.
The weekend finished off on a nicer weather note, with people able to enjoy the outdoor spaces. Studiers and socializers broke in the decks on the first, second and third floors. Whether it was over a pitcher and fries or a laptop and notebook, patrons enjoying their new roosts gave a sigh of relief that winter was somewhat over and Union South had finally arrived.
More than 20,000 visitors explored the building throughout the weekend and the grand opening events caught the attention of campus and local media. Television stations interviewed Union staff, and the Isthmus–a local weekly publication–deemed the celebration worthy of multiple articles and splashy cover story.
Now nearly a month later, Union South continues to fill the spotlight in the Madison community. The building has quickly become a campus treasure and icon–it was opened on April 15, 2011 and will not really close for generations to come.
More grand opening photos can be found on Flickr.
By Patrick Callan
