Bunche House is transformed into a coffee shop atmosphere during Lounge, a regular event where students perform and display their artwork. Photo by Nicholas Gilbert ’18
Hannah O’Malley ’17 stands in front of Bunche House’s fireplace, which has been transformed by student artwork and white lights strung across the mantle. Before the performances start, she tells the students who have congregated, “Love the people who are performing and show them respect, because it takes a lot of courage to get up here. Let’s make this a safe space.”
At the second Lounge: Late Night Arts Event of the year on September 26, O’Malley’s words did not go unheard. As each student got up to share, the room grew silent as the audience listened intently. The feeling in the room was welcoming and supportive.
Lounge, a series started by Karl Jackson ’14 and Manuel Heredia-Santoyo ’14 in 2013, showcases various student artwork as well as performances in music, dance, spoken word poetry, and even stand-up comedy. This fall’s series, organized by O’Malley, includes six Friday night happenings, and the event will continue into spring. The September 26 event featured four artists and 24 performers.
Chantel Melendez ’16 read her piece titled “A Grossly Overextended Metaphor” that focused on her changing ideas of a house. Ashleandra Opoku ’17 performed “The Rain in April,” which connected personal feelings to her description of how rain feels. Grant Haines ’15 shared some his musical talents by playing his guitar and singing.
“[I go to Lounge] because it’s a fun alternative to the social scene at vlog,” said Brett Christensen ’16. “It’s pretty cool to see what hidden talents people have.”
In addition to the student paintings and photographs perched on the windowsills and tables around Bunche House, the gathering always features a community poem. The poem, which starts as a blank sheet of paper at the start of the night, is hung so students can add a line or however much they wish to contribute as it is written throughout the event.
The next Lounge will take place , October 17, at Bunche House (80 Broad St.) from 8-11 p.m. For students interested in displaying artwork or performing, e-mail lounge13@colgate.edu. Visit for more information.