Looking for the Saturday night hot spot?

Late Nite at Pittenger Student Center is more than you’d expect and offers something new and entertaining each Saturday night. It’s free for Ball State students.

“On average, we have 1,000 or so students who attend Late Nite,” said Hannah Miller, assistant director of programs.

Miller’s been an active participant in Late Nite since its inception in 2001. She was a freshman studying business administration and educational dance when she and her roommate thought they’d give it a try. One time and she was hooked.

“It quickly becomes addictive,” Miller said. “We find that people might not know what the theme will be that night, but they say ‘It’s Late Nite. Let’s go down to the Student Center.’”

Each Late Nite has a theme for the movies, games, and food. One theme took students on a jaunt to the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s. Some dressed the part while others tried roller derby races in the ballroom.

“Late Nite Time Warp was a reflection of our parents’ generations,” said John Huber, graduate assistant for Student Center programs. “It would be tempting to put That ’70s Show or Almost Famous as part of the ’70s theme, but these works were made outside of the decade without the feeling of what it was to be there. That is why we chose All the President’s Men as the film, not only because it is a great work about one of the biggest stories of the ’70s but also because it was written, shot, produced, and released in the ’70s. The same commitment to its time is true for Easy Rider and The Breakfast Club.”

The night wasn’t without modern conveniences. The ’80s Singstar and ’80s Guitar Hero for the Playstation 2 were attractions, too.

Around Valentine’s Day, the theme was Date Nite with movies, miniature golf, and romantic foods such as chocolate fountains and fettuccine. Those not in the dating mood explored just as many single-oriented activities including the ice cream social.

“You can come and go at your leisure,” Miller said. “You can go to an activity that appeals to you. Want to stop by to grab a slice of pizza? Or listen to the guy playing guitar? Go for it. Stay a few minutes; stay all evening. It’s designed for multiple people to do multiple things.”