The Memorial Union was packed Wednesday night as the yearly recruitment festival for ASU's clubs, Passport to ASU, made its return to welcome freshmen and congratulate members of the upper classes for making it back for another year.
The sheer amount and variety of clubs that exist and operate at ASU is astounding. There's a niche for everyone. If you're into video games or stage combat, experimental theater or politics, extreme Arctic adventuring or vaping, there is a club at ASU for you! Okay, maybe I didn't find examples for the last two, but you could always start your own.
Spiderman showing out at #ASUPassport pic.twitter.com/V4w66lIg8V
— logan saether (@looooogaaan) August 20, 2015
Among the vast multiplicity of tables, I found five that particularly caught my eye due to being unique, salient or just for plain having that cool factor.
Here are my picks for the Top 5 clubs at Passport to ASU 2015.
My first pick is Barren Mind Improv/Farce Side Comedy hour. What immediately struck me was the cardboard impromptu stage the club had set up in front of their booth that was labelled for break dancing. I didn't see anyone step up to the challenge, but I can imagine the weekly free shows this comedy troupe performs at the MU stage, under the Taco Bell, will be filled with jabs that will hit even the most serious person's funny bone. The first show is Friday. Are you a comedian? They are also hosting auditions on Aug. 27 and 28, so be sure to go to the show to get more information.
My second pick is Teatro Diablo. Teatro Diablo is a Latino theater group at ASU. But besides simply wishing to put on a good show, they also want to provide a theater environment where Latino students can find an expressive forum and to share their talents with the rest of the student body. Sound interesting?
Fight Devils also caught my eye. It's a newish club that focuses on choreographing epic fight scenes using large weaponry. As a kid, I was way into medieval weaponry, mostly because of long hours playing the Internet-based MMORPG, Runescape. After getting over my fascination with the 5-foot rapier they had displayed on the table, I was able to chat a bit with the representatives and snag this awesome picture.
My fourth pick is Run for America. Run for America is a national organization with a branch at ASU that aims at advancing congressional politics on college campuses. The club does things like register people to vote and hold roundtable events with selected speakers. Run for America does not take on a political stance but rather emphasizes the importance of bringing in students into the political movement regardless of political preference. In a political climate that often finds Congress unable to act sufficiently, their stance on a solutions-first and future-focused path is refreshing.
The Hawai'i and Pacific Islander Club gets massive points for keeping the island vibes rolling and bringing the beach to ASU. It performs Hawaiian dances and hands out leis at the MU.
Related Links:
Clubs of ASU: Dumbledore's Army creates a niche 'Harry Potter' fans
ASU students reboot GlobalResolve club
Reach the reporter at lsaether@asu.edu or follow @looooogaaan on Twitter.
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