'Adventure' draws diversity

Noisy music video production and quiet reflection during poetry presentations were both parts of Friday night for students at the Indiana Memorial Union.\n"Around the World Adventure" drew a diverse student body for development of personal music videos, political and social poetry, pictures from around the world, rides, food and drinks. \nThe event, held between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., was sponsored by the Union Board.\n"We came here to have a fun night," freshman Janieka McCracken said. McCracken attended the event with her friends after a fellow member of the African American Choral Ensemble told her about the festivity a few weeks ago.\nMcCracken and her cohorts flew through the list of karaoke songs to choose songs to make their own music videos in the IMU Gallery.\nA poetry contest caused a crowded site, as "Mums" from HBO's show OZ hosted "Poetry Slam" at the Market.\nThe Market, which is normally a cafeteria, was packed with spectators, and the crowd overflowed into the hallway.\nPresenters from various backgrounds shared their opinions on capitalism and race. They rejected distorted views against ethnic minorities and denounced the possible military solution by the Bush administration against terrorism. The audience applauded after each presenter delivered a poem with unique style.\n"It was a diverse event," said junior Adrienne Bond. "There were a lot of different viewpoints on the same subject. Poets raised issues about our identity as a country." \nBond also said the Fine Arts Committee, which sponsored "Poetry Slam," succeeded in gathering a large crowd.\nAlso in the IMU Gallery, participants could get their pictures taken and then could choose a computerized background for their picture from various locations. Over 20 background selections laid down on a table represented cities, weather and other symbols, including "New York," "Storm" and "Cathedral."\nAfter much deliberation, Continuing Studies student Sachiko Higgins-Kante decided to put herself in front of "the Arch of Triumph" in France.\n"She's adding some French to it," said Higgins-Kante, looking over a computer screen while an assistant worked on the background design of her picture. "We can go to Asia and be back in five minutes."\nSome participants also sweated through physical activities, such as the "Bungee Run" in the Solarium. Ropes attached to a plastic air machine pulled runners as they tried to move forward. The runner who reached farther won.\n"It's very interesting," said sophomore Denairo Equihua-Spann, as he sipped some Sprite to recover from his sprint. "I'm still dizzy from it."\nThe IU Fencing Club also appeared at the IMU as club members demonstrated their skills with the weapons in the South Lounge. But not all sites were packed with visitors.\n"It helped boost our club interest," junior Nathan Shewell said. "I would say publicity could've been better. I would like to see more people here."\nJunior Drew Goldberg, the director for the Union Board's Major Attractions, said the staff ran the event as scheduled, and he was satisfied with the event. Goldberg also said a similar event will take place in December.\n"Based on the experience from the past, we're contracting these types of events," Goldberg said. "We've anticipated that turnout would be good. It's fantastic how things are going"