Are you looking for a good time, but you’re sick of the usual fraternity parties? Do you desperately need a break from studying??Do you want to attend a concert or see a movie, but you’re low on money?
Then look no further than Saint Louis University’s own Billiken Club.
“The Billiken Club houses touring concerts and local bands,” said Busch Student Center Building Manager Chris Grabau. The club is also home to SLU’s concert series.
According to Grabau, the venue was called Aunt Hattie’s prior to the renovation of the student center, and it housed events such as comedians and concerts. After the renovation, the name was changed to its current title. In addition, the free concert series, formally known as “The Next Big Thing,” has been going on for three years.
“Last fall, the club really started bringing in more acts,” said Student Booking Manager Christine Sanley. Such acts to grace the stage include Berlin Whale, Ghost of the Forest, Jessica Sonner and Point Juncture.
Assistant Student Booking Manager Liz Deichmann referred to the club as “a really good way for people to hear bands they’ve never heard of.”
In addition to hosting numerous rock concerts, the Billiken Club also tries to book other acts. The club has hosted many student organizations’ events, open-mic nights, trivia nights and karaoke nights. The Student Activities Board also moved its movie series to the Billiken Club this year.
“It is open for student organizations to have events,” said Grabau. “It is open for all and any students.” This also includes students who do not attend SLU.
“It is essentially [the students’] club,” he said. “I hope that it helps make the student center an attraction for students. It’s a place for them to go to and enjoy.”
Named 2007’s best St. Louis rock club by the Riverfront Times, the Billiken Club hopes to carry that same success into future concert seasons.
“Not to lose momentum, right now we’re staying consistent with the caliber of music,” Sanley said.
The club primarily features indie, rock and pop bands. ?In the future, Sanley and Deichmann said that they want to bring in a bigger variety of music and that they do not want people to think of the club as just featuring “scary indie rock” music.
The concert doors open at 8 p.m., and the shows begin at 9 p.m.
Upcoming shows include Menomena with Illinois and Jumbling Towers on Oct. 30, The Mountain Goats with Bowerbirds on Nov. 10, Alela Diane on Nov. 27 and THIS IS AMERICAN MUSIC featuring The Dreams, Glossary, Grand Champeen and Two Cow Garage on Dec. 1.
