Stony Brook’s UCafe is hosting a variety of free events and performances this semester. Students over 21 can join UCafe every Tuesday through Thursday for a fun night out with friends without leaving campus. This year, the Graduate Student Organization will host Tuesday night graduate student get-togethers and DJ Dance parties from Stony Brook University’s DJs. Students can join the Stony Brook University Jazz Department every Wednesday for live jazz music or bring their own instruments to participate. The GSO will be hosting “StonyBrooklyn,” a hipster “Brooklyn-vibe” campus event Thursday nights with performances by popular city and national rap, rock and indie bands.
The eighth-year Sunday Street Acoustic Series co-sponsored by WUSB-FM will host a variety of live performances by national and international artists every Sunday beginning Sept. 29. Louisiana native singer-songwriter and producer of six groundbreaking albums, Mary Gauthier, will perform Sunday, Sept. 29 with the opening act by Canadian artist, Scott Nolan and a guest appearance by Joanna Miller. Gauthier, who performs mostly country and folk music, has “earned praise from Bob Dylan and Tom Waits” for her exceptional skills, according to her website. Some additional guest appearances this semester include artists John Wesley, James Keelaghan, Jez Lowe and Ellis Paul. Tickets range from $15 to $25 and can be purchased at the door or ahead of time at UCafe’s website.
RockYoFaceCase is the only event organized by SBU’s undergraduates for students and non-students of all ages. This free electronic/rock music event offers the opportunity for students to showcase their band or listen to a variety of performances with food, drinks and contests. RockYoFaceCase is typically held on a Friday or Saturday night.
UCafe has a newly renovated floor, sound-system and lights since it was closed in 2011. Last semester, the courtyard outside UCafe was reopened after being closed for several months due to renovation on the Campus Recreation Center. Students can now enjoy live music, food and drinks on the outdoor patio.
The full-scale bar at the UCafe offers 20 beer selections, wine by the glass or bottle and a variety of liquor from Macallan to Jagermeister and Bacardi. Beer prices range from $4 to $6, wine by the glass is $5.50 and by the bottle is $27. A 12 ounce house mixed drink is $6 and 13 ounce shelf drink is $8. A 14 ounce premium mixed drink is $10. UCafe also serves a variety of non-alcoholic drinks including juice, coffee, tea and soda. UCafe does not serve food but allows guests to bring in food from the Stony Brook Union food court.
UCafe’s hours have changed from opening at five in the past to 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weeknights, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for SBU’s Sunday Street Acoustic Series. UCafe’s smaller staff and Stony Brook’s strict regulation on serving alcohol has forced UCafe to close earlier than in the past, according to Student Manager Tai Uddin. If UCafe generates more customers, they are more likely to offer more hours, he said.
Four years ago, UCafe was a widely used venue for Greek life and athletics. Since many SBU students and UCafe customers graduated, it has lost some of its appeal.
“Many people thought since it shut down, it wasn’t going to reopen,” Uddin said.
