Rochester for Under $15

Most students at RIT know how it feels to be a poor college student. With an annual bill prior to financial aid of approximately $28,000 for commuters and $37,500 for residents, few undergraduates will graduate without generating some sort of debt from their experience at RIT. So what does a poor college student do when faced with the desire to go out? There’s more to do in Rochester on a budget than you think, and Reporter’s got your back with some great date ideas.

Robert Modzelewski

Clubhouse Fun Center, 70 Jay Scutti Boulevard

Conveniently located behind the Wendy’s on Jefferson, the Clubhouse Fun Center has mini-golf, a game room, a go-kart track, and Snack Shack. It’s fairly close to campus, so you could walk or bike there if you are courageous enough to brave the Jefferson traffic, but the five-minute car ride is definitely suggested.

Be warned. This is a child-friendly establishment, so if you don’t like the idea of finding yourself in a game room waist-deep in screaming 8-year-olds, this might not be the place for you. Despite this, however, the mini-golf and go-kart areas provide for fun and age-appropriate college atmosphere for any Friday night.

A regular price for a game of mini-golf is $6, or you can get two rounds at once for $8. What’s nice is that your second game doesn’t expire and you can use it at a later date (so it’s only $4 a game). Go Karting is $6 by yourself in a cart or $7 for two people, The track is a pretty good one with a lot of turns and twists, so if you end up in the passenger seat, make sure your driver is capable. If they’re going too fast or don’t turn well you will hit the wall. Arcade tokens are four for $1, but you can win two free tokens if you bring your scorecard from mini-golfing to the booth where you got your clubs and they decide somehow that you won (the person I was with won, and we have no idea how they determined that).

Every day of the week has a special that might save you even more. For instance, on Token Tuesday you get 100 tokens for $10 (this is also done on Sundays during the Winter quarter). Or, take advantage of Thrifty Thursday, where for $24 you get four games of mini-golf, four Go Kart rides, and twenty arcade tokens.

To get directions or download coupons from their website to save even more, go to www.clubhousefuncenter.com.

Robert Modzelewski

Geva Theatre, 75 Woodbury Boulevard

Geva Theatre has a high standard of excellence so that they can give playgoers the best experience possible. The actors are talented, the sets are always beautifully done, the ushers are courteous, and every other aspect of production is meticulous in its execution and design. Of every small theater I have been to, from Toronto to Boston to New York City, Geva definitely prevails as the best and is a stepping stone for many great actors looking to star on Broadway one day.

A stone’s throw away from the Strong National Museum of Play, Geva Theatre is one of the most well-known professional theatres in the Rochester area. With two stages (called the Mainstage and the Nextstage) as well as a café, Geva is a classy night out (which means no jeans and t-shirts, or you will get some disgusted looks from the season ticket holders that are dressed in their Sunday best).

The Mainstage has a program for students called Student Rush. Show up 30 minutes before the show begins with your RIT ID and you can buy your ticket for only $8 if there are any seats left. Considering that the cheapest seat in the house is a minimum of $23, it’s a great deal provided that there are seats available and your group doesn’t mind being split up for the performance.

The Nextstage has some great (and low cost) productions this season as well. ROOMS: a rock romance is currently enjoying its world premiere at The Nextstage, with regular tickets costing $17.50 if you are under the age of 30. Furthermore, on October 16, Geva Theatre is participating in the Theatre Communications Group’s Free Night of the 2008 program. Other popular free events include script readings accompanied by discussions with the playwrights and performances of works in progress. Reservations are required for these free events and are available by calling (585) 232-GEVA, or 232-4382.

For showtimes, season information, or to learn more about the history of Geva Theatre, go to www.gevatheatrecenter.org.

Robert Modzelewski

Starry Nites Café, 696 University Avenue

“The café decor was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s Night Café (1888) painting” according to their website. Featured in the café is a wall sized mural of Van Gogh’s Starry Night in the dining area, framed reproductions of his work, and work from local artists on exhibit throughout. There are free evening attractions on the weekends, with live musical performances Thursdays through Saturdays.

Starry Nites Café remains my favorite café in the Rochester area — downtown or otherwise. Upon bringing my friends on their first visits to the café, they can never believe that they have never been there before! Every item off their menu is fantastic and I have never spent more than $15. It can even be said that Starry Nites is preferable to Java’s downtown, if only because of its relative anonymity in comparison.

Located down the street from the Memorial Art Gallery, Starry Nites Café is a nice place to go with a friend or significant other when you want to relax and enjoy a meal for a decent price. No food item is more than $7.95, and drinks tend to be between $3 and $5. Some of the most popular choices for drinks include Jamaican Me Crazy coffee, chai tea, and chai lattes, while the white chicken chili and the Tuscan sandwich are popular food choices.

To learn more about coffee, Vincent Van Gogh, or to get directions to Starry Nites, visit their website at www.starrynitescafe.com.