Running or Ruining an Event?

Written and photo by Zinzile Ncube

@_ziznye._

When planning an event there are always expectations, both from the organizers and the attendees . When evaluating if the event was successful or not, we question if any or both of these expectations were met; unfortunately when it comes to events that take place at school, organized by societies that put countless hours of effort, thought and planning into organizing, events tend to fall short due to circumstances often beyond the control of both the school authorities and the student leaders.

So why did the Party after Party, have such an abysmal and disappointing outcome? The extensive advertisement promised a successful and enjoyable event to kick off the fall semester break—the exciting prospects of an Afrobeats centred party would fulfill the expectations, and wants, of both International students and Canadian students. This was not only an open space for students who often feel like outsiders, but also for underage students, because many of them felt they could get into the party, especially considering the nature of the event being on campus. This is where the issues began.

The event for all intents and purposes was meant to be an outstanding success with fantastic music from popular DJs and generally good vibes from the attendees. However, issues started with the campus management staff; the Gorsebrook lounge’s strict age limit policy limited the amount of people that could participate in the event immensely, since underage students and their friends would be dissuaded to attend the event. Afrobeats, which was already in competition with the Caribbean event Vivid, was now put at a greater disadvantage due to the events’ difference in age restrictions. Additionally, the bad weather further limited the already small capacity alternative venues enabled them to have. 

The school put up barriers for the success of the event, both before and after. The outlandish costs the school attempted to place on the renting of the venue were far beyond both the agreed upon prices, as well as the financial capacity of the organization. There was also an attempt to charge previously undiscussed fees, such as security and unnecessary additional  staff.

We have to question whether societies are really supported on campus, and to what extent the facilities provided are truly meant to cater all students. Is everything a profit scheme, or was this simply a glitch in the planning of an event? Is there a better reception when other events are planned or coordinated through or on campus? Perhaps this is the reason many if not all societies decide to host their large-scale events off campus.