TDU
Taylor Down Under offers students a place to study, relax and hang out on campus
By Jill Yaworski, a&e editor
Posted on September 5, 2006

Located on the ground floor of Taylor Hall, TDU does more than just hold up the second and third floor.

Take a rest at Java City, and grab a hot flavored coffee and a bagel and watch the entertainment on the TDU stage. Open mic night, every Tuesday from 8 to 10 p.m., may stage the birthplace of the next Dane Cook or Maya Angelou. Students can display their talents from music to comedy to magic. It is a stage where anything goes, and anyone can get their 15 minutes of fame. To participate in open mic night, a sign-up sheet can be found at the information desk every Tuesday morning. TDU can also provide performers with equipment if needed. If you don’t have a talent you want to share, TDU encourages all students to cheer on their favorite artists.

The TDU stage also hosts an open poetry night every Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m. Pieces can include performance poetry or readings of your favorite famous poets. If you don’t have your own material to present, TDU will provide you with poetry books.

It is also the home of The Corner Pocket, which contains eight pool tables. If billiards isn’t your thing, TDU also offers board games so students can engage in intense games of checkers if they fancy.

Every Thursday and Friday, TDU is open late night until 2 a.m. Entertainment on the stage begins at 10 p.m., while The Corner Pocket offers free pool after 11 p.m.  In the past they’ve had comedy troupe New & Improv’d and live bands perform.

Junior Kendra Bassi is marketing manager for TDU. “It’s a cool place to come with your friends and just hang out,” she said. With all the great bands that play at TDU, Bassi said most students find themselves on the dance floor near the stage. “TDU is original. People love it because there’s no other place on campus like it.”

And it’s true — besides the unique and comfortable furniture that TDU has to offer, where else can you go and enjoy great music, play billiards and eat food for under five dollars?

If you are interested in more information about Taylor Down Under, check out its Web site at jmu.edu/ucenter/tdu/info.shtml.