Viva Chuck Vegas

Students will have the chance to have their butts sketched tonight.

The University Board will have a butt sketch artist at “Up All Night Chuck Vegas” in Andrews hall from 8 p.m. until midnight.

UB chairperson Andrew Hubbard said students will have to chance to make their own photo postcard, and play card games like roulette, blackjack and poker. Giveaways for all events total $2,500.

Last year, a similar event took place called “Up All Night Las Vegas.” It has become an annual event.

“Last year over 1,600 students came to the ‘Up All Night Las Vegas,” Hubbard said. “I decided to change the name this year because Jen Kober, a comedian who performed last year, referred to it as Chuck Vegas, so that inspired me to change it.”

Besides the name change, the event also changed locations.

This event was traditionally held in the Union, but last year UB decided to hold it in the residence halls.

“It works really well in the residence halls instead of traditionally being in the Union,” Hubbard said.

Performers will include John Rush, known as the human Ipod, and a balloon manipulator dressed as Elvis.

“John Rush can recite any song from memory. All a student has to do it go up to him and sing any part of a song and he will know the rest,” Hubbard said. “He knows a slew of songs – from hip-hop to contemporary, funk to punk and jazz to pop. You name it, he knows it.”

The balloon manipulator also can make any design or shape with balloons.

In addition to the card games, the movie American Gangster will be playing in Andrews Hall basement at 7 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m.

Housing and Dining will provide special food as part of “Up All Night.”

“On Fridays the residence hall closes at 8 p.m., but from (8 until midnight), we will serving little snack foods and cocktail wieners, nachos, veggies and dip,” said Susan Napolitan, Assistant Director at Thomas Dining Center. “You don’t need a meal swipe to get in at all.”

A light and dark chocolate fountain that can be used to make s’mores or chocolate covered fruit will also be available.

Many people are volunteering for this event along with University Board.

Alpha Sigma Tau sorority will have 12 hostesses.

The hostesses will wait on people and get them drinks while they play cards so it will seem like a real casino, Hubbard said.

The Residence Hall Association has provided more than 40 volunteers.

RHA was asked to volunteer from the University Board.

“UB actually came to RHA and asked them if they wouldn’t mind volunteering. We are going to be working setup,” said Jarrod Scherle, RHA President and sophomore engineering major. “We will have blackjack and poker dealers and we are going to help tear down, too.”

Before last night’s RHA meeting, RHA had about 30-40 volunteers, but Scherle thinks they will get more walk-ins to volunteer.

“They will get points for their halls for Winter Olympics if they volunteer,” Scherle said. “Also, the winner of all the points will get a little homemade trophy.”

They will start set-up at 6 p.m. and go all the way past midnight.

Scherle thinks RHA and UB make a great team.

“Last year was the first year they had this in the residence halls and it went extremely well,” Scherle said.”They came to RHA and asked for volunteers and we obliged then as well.”

Prizes: an Ipod Touch.

$100 gift card for the Eastern bookstore.

Other cash and prizes.

Cost: Entry is free but Eastern students must have their IDs to get in.

Heather Holm can be reached at 581-7942 or at haholm@eiu.edu.