After Hours undergoes revival and returns to Mug

Rachel Pittenger Staff Writer

If you’re wondering where the wealth of talented musicians at Vassar go to get their creative juices flowing, look no further than After Hours. Every Thursday at 9 p.m., After Hours provides a creative outlet in which the College’s singer-songwriters can perform in a relaxed setting. Co-heads Anabel Graff ’09 and Evan Altshuler ’09 are determined to bring the institution back to the level of popularity it experienced earlier in its history.

Though After Hours is still relatively young (the co-heads estimated that it emerged about five years ago), the Thursday night show began to draw significant chunk of the Vassar student body. Attending After Hours used to be the “thing to do,” said Graff, describing how students would often come to hang out, listen to music, and even do their homework. One of the goals is to inject it with spirit, credibility and good vibrations.

Based on recent attendance numbers, the show is well on its way. Altshuler noted the larger audience, estimating that they had “an average of eight audience members per show last semester, and an average of 200 per show this semester.” Part of this change is attributable to a growing recognition among the student body of the talent of their peer performers, in addition to the organization’s new focus on reining in more famous musicians.

After Hours has presented non–students Devon Sproule and Jay May this semester, and both shows were well attended. In addition to giving students a chance to see these bigger stars perform, Graff adds that this gives student performers prime opportunities to learn what it’s like to be a viable opening act.

The search for a permanent After Hours location has been a difficult one. It was originally held in the Aula, but has been located in the Students’ Building during recent years. However, this year the weekly show has been relocated to Matthew’s Mug, where Graff hopes it will stay, stating that she and Altshuler “want students to associate the Mug with After Hours.” Graff believes that many students will make it a habit to frequent the venue. Fair weather permitting, the upcoming shows will likely be held outside in the Outdoor Amphitheater.

During the re-organization of After Hours, Vassar College Entertanment (ViCE) has served as its umbrella organization. With this arrangement, After Hours can benefit from ViCE funding and hopes that there will be a greater integration and collaboration among these ViCE-sponsored smaller groups. Meanwhile, the remainder of the semester promises to provide several very exciting shows, including Tyler James, Melanie Gardout, and Kevin Devine. After Hours is also hosting a concert on May 3, the night before Founder’s Day, where there will likely be some impressive big-name performers, some of whom are being kept a surprise.

For those who want a chance to sample Vassar students’ talent, CDs are being sold at the shows for $5. Each CD has 20 tracks from a variety of different After Hours performers. As per usual, alcohol will be served to those of age.