PREVIEW '99

Popular Eateries Serve Up Atmosphere

The latest San Francisco culinary fad has descended on the Square with the opening of One Arrow Street Crepes. Since the new eatery opened its doors on Jan. 1, many students have found its healthy crepes and sophisticated ambiance a fresh alternative to Tommy's and Au Bon Pain.

Although old stand-by coffee joints such as Toscanini's and Starbucks still serve up late-night caffeine highs, some Harvard students are choosing atmosphere over function when looking for late-night snacks. According to One Arrow Street Crepes' owner Jimmy E. Murray, "Harvard Students, especially the ladies, are appreciating the healthy alternative to the throngs of sub shops and pizza joints that populate the Square."

One Arrow Street's pleasant ambiance and New Age music lure students who walk in planning to grab a quick take-out. Instead, they stay and relish the experience of the creperie. In response to the increasing demand, Murray says he plans to offer a special deal just for Harvard students.

With the rising popularity of other trendy new joints in the Square, Harvard students seem to be opting for a classy atmosphere and a social experience over fast food. L.A. Burdicks, a Brattle Street coffee shop that opened last fall, offers specialty candy and a cozy atmosphere.

Owner James S. Bergin says the coffee and dessert shop gives Harvard students a unique place to study and socialize with its small square tables and classical music.

Several Lowell House juniors said students' restaurant preferences change as they mature at Harvard. Students say that as they have "grown up" through the Harvard social scene, Grafton Street and Casablanca became their choice social venues.

Many first-years, on the other hand, prefer value and efficiency when deciding where to grab a late-night bite to eat.

"Pinocchio's, Tommy's and Herrell's are all good places to hang out with friends," says Ali A. Valenzuela '02.

Many of the new eateries attract students in search of study break locales. But for special occasions, they flock to long-standing Square hotspots, such as the House of Blues.

Manager Rebecca A. Nolan says the House of Blues is popular for older Harvard undergraduates as well as graduate students.

"We have noticed lately that a lot of Harvard students are celebrating their 21st birthdays here," she says.

The recent closing of the Tasty and (temporarily) Grendel's has left room for new hangouts in Harvard Square. Only time will tell which eateries will last beyond their opening hype and earn a place in students' hearts. Dafna V. Hochman

Houses Vibrant With New Character

Forget the antiquated descriptions in the Unofficial Guide or the breathless patter of the Crimson Key Society. Even a sixth-year senior will tell you that House characters have changed forever. In the wake of randomization, the stereotypes of the Houses have been shattered by waves of students who have little in common with each other or the classes that came before them.

But what the administration didn't realize is that new stereotypes would arise in the place of the old. Though volatile and changing from year to year, clear--if accidental--trends have emerged in several Houses.

Connor W. Schell '99 remembers that when he first moved into Eliot House, its reputation as an elite bastion of privilege was grounded in fact.

"It was definitely noticeable," he says. "The House was much less diverse."

But in the first year after randomization, Eliot took on a very different character.

"Eliot went from being really white to being the gay House," says Peter T. Wilson '99, who called the Eliot of his sophomore year "the center of the queer revolution"--though he adds that reputation has dimmed with recent classes.

Wilson noted that, after his arrival, the masters instituted a queer tea--which would have been unthinkable in previous years.

Up in the Quad, Jeffrey S. Gleason '99 describes Pforzheimer House as "reclusive and withdrawn and studious" before randomization.

Now, Gleason and others say Pforzheimer has completely turned around, becoming a hotbed of gossip (please see "Social Analysis," above).

"People are definitely in each other's business more than they are in their own," he says. "The gossip is just more rampant...across groups and across the entire House community."

It's unclear whether stereotypes result from the students themselves or the physical nature of the House. Gleason notes that Pforzheimer's physical layout, which has sociable floors rather than disconnected entryways, and a dining hall with a voyeur's balcony, lends itself to the new reputation.

"PfoHo is a small House--it's probably easier for rumors to get around," observes Katherine R. O'Neil '01.

Mather resident Ruth S. Noyes '99 says that when she would enter the dining hall of her "athletic-minded" House two years ago, "it was overwhelmingly white males--that was the predominant look."

But while Matherites still get physical to a disproportionate degree, she says, today "there's a big musical interest here."

"We have really good practice rooms here," she says.

Still, Noyes cautions that she wouldn't describe Mather's musical aptitude as a new stereotype--and the new characterizations seem more tenuous than before.

Perhaps the House stereotypes were never rock-solid, however. Adams resident Sarah G. Ellis '99 remembers that her House was considered "the artsy House, with a large population of gays and lesbians."

But was that reputation borne out in fact?

"I don't think it was true," Noyes says. "I had a large number of upperclassman friends who clearly didn't fit that stereotype."

It's a good thing the Unofficial Guide comes out every year.   Adam A. Sofen

Violent Femmes Come To Springfest

Second semester brings a new set of classes, impending standardized tests and the stress of finding a summer job. But it also means 13 weekends before the next reading period--13 weekends to party hard at Harvard.

While final clubs and local bars may have once rocked the social scene, their activities have recently been stymied by members-only policies and strict age restrictions.

This spring it's up to Harvard's extracurricular groups to throw the parties and pop the corks.

No one spring event is as widely celebrated as The Game, the Adams Masquerade, or the City Step ball, at Harvard's one and only student government is throwing the one official social event of the year.

Representatives on the Undergraduate Council campus life committee are planning Springfest for May 1. While the council abandoned hopes of bringing The Dave Matthews Band to campus last semester, the Violent Femmes will headline the outdoor festival, according to committee chair Ryan E. Dorris '00.

The council also hopes to change the alcohol policy from last year, Dorris says. He isnegotiating for a new policy with the Dean ofStudents Office. Last spring students with validIDs were forced to drink in a cage-like beergarden, separated on display for their underagepeers.

"We feel that the best solution would be tohave those of age wear wristbands, and that wouldbe the only restriction. But there may be acompromise," Dorris says.

Will this year's Springfest help Harvardstudents feel that they attend a school with aregular social calendar?

Dorris says that he hopes so.

"We're definitely trying to build the eventinto something that has the feel of a real socialschool. Hopefully it will give the campus afeeling of a 'real school' for once," he says.

Also on tap is the first-year formal, just twoweeks away. The event, also organized by thecouncil, will be held at the Swiss Hotel in Bostonon Saturday, Feb. 20. The black tie affair hastraditionally seen a good turnout.

"We estimate a thousand," says Nehal S. Patel'02, co-chair of the formal committee.

"People always complain about the socialatmosphere here, but there are things to do. Theyjust have to be willing to go out and try stuff,"Patel says.

A month later, first-year students have canattend another social engagement between Ec 10problem sets. The President's Dance, hosted byPresident Neil L. Rudenstine and his wife,Angelica, in Annenberg Hall, is scheduled forMarch 20. The semi-formal dance is free, andfirst-year students will have the opportunity toschmooze with the president before thetraditionally happening dance scene gets underway.

The Leverett '80s Dance, a staple of the socialcalendar each semester, will take place again thisspring, but a date has not yet been set. Thisdance is always packed, and has been closed in thepast because of riotous crowds.

"It's loud, zany, and a little different. Atime to live your New Kids on the Block life overagain," says Charles A. Keyes '00, Leverett HouseCommittee chair.

The reputation of Ghungroo, the South AsianAssociation's (SAA) annual cultural show thattraditionally sells out its four performances, hasmade the event a popular place to see and be seen.From March 5 to 7, Ghungroo performers will lightup the stage of Agassiz Theater.

Ghungroo Dance Director Janhavi M. Kirtane '99says the high quality of the performance, which isunique on the Harvard calendar, draws the crowds.

"We try really hard to maintain a high level ofquality and integrity, and people know that,"Kirtane says. "We try to make the show as engagingas possible."

Harvard students frequently lament that thereis little to do on the weekends, but the calendaris usually full with events that are tailored forHarvard rather than other college scenes. "It'snot always easy to find a party or a big-timedance," says Council President Noah Z. Seton '00.

Maybe this spring students' ingenuity andeffort will make filling those weekends a littlebit easier

"We feel that the best solution would be tohave those of age wear wristbands, and that wouldbe the only restriction. But there may be acompromise," Dorris says.

Will this year's Springfest help Harvardstudents feel that they attend a school with aregular social calendar?

Dorris says that he hopes so.

"We're definitely trying to build the eventinto something that has the feel of a real socialschool. Hopefully it will give the campus afeeling of a 'real school' for once," he says.

Also on tap is the first-year formal, just twoweeks away. The event, also organized by thecouncil, will be held at the Swiss Hotel in Bostonon Saturday, Feb. 20. The black tie affair hastraditionally seen a good turnout.

"We estimate a thousand," says Nehal S. Patel'02, co-chair of the formal committee.

"People always complain about the socialatmosphere here, but there are things to do. Theyjust have to be willing to go out and try stuff,"Patel says.

A month later, first-year students have canattend another social engagement between Ec 10problem sets. The President's Dance, hosted byPresident Neil L. Rudenstine and his wife,Angelica, in Annenberg Hall, is scheduled forMarch 20. The semi-formal dance is free, andfirst-year students will have the opportunity toschmooze with the president before thetraditionally happening dance scene gets underway.

The Leverett '80s Dance, a staple of the socialcalendar each semester, will take place again thisspring, but a date has not yet been set. Thisdance is always packed, and has been closed in thepast because of riotous crowds.

"It's loud, zany, and a little different. Atime to live your New Kids on the Block life overagain," says Charles A. Keyes '00, Leverett HouseCommittee chair.

The reputation of Ghungroo, the South AsianAssociation's (SAA) annual cultural show thattraditionally sells out its four performances, hasmade the event a popular place to see and be seen.From March 5 to 7, Ghungroo performers will lightup the stage of Agassiz Theater.

Ghungroo Dance Director Janhavi M. Kirtane '99says the high quality of the performance, which isunique on the Harvard calendar, draws the crowds.

"We try really hard to maintain a high level ofquality and integrity, and people know that,"Kirtane says. "We try to make the show as engagingas possible."

Harvard students frequently lament that thereis little to do on the weekends, but the calendaris usually full with events that are tailored forHarvard rather than other college scenes. "It'snot always easy to find a party or a big-timedance," says Council President Noah Z. Seton '00.

Maybe this spring students' ingenuity andeffort will make filling those weekends a littlebit easier