by Patrick Clinton
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

Finals are finally over and I know all you ULLA students out there are celebrating in the wildest sort of way. School's out and summers here, and believe me, Lafayette is ready. There is a lot going on in the month of May. The bars will have everything from male strippers to pageants. If you do not keep a lookout for what is going on, you are liable to miss something.

Everybody in Acadiana has been coming by Jules lately to check out everything they have to offer all week long. If you do not know about their unbelievable weekly line up, you have really been missing out on the party. Casey and her staff make sure Jules Downtown offers something for everybody. The week starts every Tues. night with the wildest karaoke in town. Cody King knows karaoke like nobody else in the business. You do not want to miss it. Whether you like to sing or just like to watch, Cat's Ass Karaoke at Jules is the bomb. Wed.'s are hot with the best male strippers in Acadiana. If you have not come by to see these guys, you have no idea what you are missing. Every Thurs. is Thirsty Thursday and you do not want to miss the unbelievable Amateur Wet Boxer Contest hosted by Eureka Fish. I do not know which is more fun, listening to Eureka emcee or watching all the hot guys strip down to their undies and get soaking wet. Either way, this is a night you cannot miss, not to mention they have$2 blue margaritas and $1 shots. The weekends are even better at Jules. Every Fri. and Sat. night Jules has great dance music with DJ Scott Lannie. Dance the night away while you enjoy Jules' $2 drink specials all weekend. But the week does not end until Sun. night. Come by for Eager Beaver night. It is fun whether you are there to see your friends or to participate in the pool tournament. Whatever you enjoy doing, Jules Downtown delivers. If you have not been by lately, you are missing one hell of a good time.

Backstreet Men's Club has also been a happening place. Mark and his crew of bartenders know how to show you a good time. They make great drinks and always know what is going on. Mark and his superb crew of bartenders aim to please. Whether you are looking for a quick game of pool or a hot guy to get to know a little better, Backstreet is your place. It has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable; not to mention, it opens every afternoon at 5pm and has happy hour drink specials until 7pm. After a hard day at work, it is the ideal place to go to for a couple of drinks or just to forget your troubles. Play a few games of pool or darts, and hang out with all your friends. So next time you feel stressed out by an all out miserable day, get down to Backstreet Men's Club and let Mark and his wonderful staff take care of you. You will be glad you did.

The Sound Factory has a month of May to remember. On Sat., May 12, the Sound Factory is hosting the Mr./Ms./Miss R. O. U. Pageant. Now this is going to be an unbelievable contest. It has something for everyone. There will be drag, men, and women, all competing for your viewing pleasure. But the fun does not stop there. On Sat., May 19, the Sound Factory will hold the Miss Lafayette America Pageant. This is going be a pageant you will not want to miss. It has got everything; plus, the winner will be going on to Miss Louisiana America. Besides all the special events, Sound Factory still has its usual lineup of great things to do every night of the week. Traumatic Tues.'s are unbelievable with DJ Scrub of Firestone. Whacked Wed.'s has become a major hit with Tori Taylor leading the entertainment lineup. If you have not been by for this, come and check it out. Every Fri. and Sat. night dance the night away to the hottest and wildest music in Acadiana. Sun.'s are "Search for the Stars." If you have a talent, this is your night to show it off, and it all begins with a free pot luck buffet. So, if you have not been by lately, you should drop by and see what you have been missing. It is an excitingly happening place.

Since school is out, a lot of you college students out there have a little bit of free time. I know; you want to relax and have a good time. But if you find yourself with a little too much idle time, why not do some volunteer work. The Russ Howard Foundation and Acadiana CARES are always looking for volunteers; plus, it will be helping out the Gay community. It is definitely something to think about. Until next time, enjoy the summer and be safe.