Clinty says c-ya Pink House

Great Hall Party after the Black Cultural Awareness Expo

Designed by Lem Butler (Pink House Graphics).

Hole in Jay's ceiling

Pink House circa Summer of '92

I drove back down to Chapel Hill. Got here around the end of June. First of all, the house was a mess. Looked like a fucking band of gypsies had been living here! Next, I found out there were several vacant rooms in the Pink House that needed to be filled with people, pronto, otherwise I would have been up to my eyeballs in debt from having had to pay close to nine hundred dollars in rent myself.

So that's the sort of things that have been occupying my time for the past few weeks. Mark, I have not yet gotten involved with any voter registration campaign...in fact, I haven't even been in touch with Kate Lowenstein since I've been back in town. I think I'll call her tomorrow. Caroline, you would never guess who I saw tonight...Alec Guettel! He was drinking beer with me and about twenty other National SEAC people in the Forest Theatre. He's been living in New York and working with SEAC, but this summer marks the end of his involvement for right now. Isn't that sad to think about, in a way? Seeing him brought back lots of old memories of what it was like for all of us, you, me and Mark, when we were just becoming involved with SEAC our freshman year. There's a National Council meeting going on this week, and many people are in town for it. Many of them are also sleeping in our living room downstairs, right now.

Joe Herzenberg called me on the phone today, and I ran into my friend Termain Kyles outside the TEP house this evening, and Deidre, of all people, came by this morning with my housemate Lydia to wake me up, and SEAC people like Eric Odell, Ernesto Guzman, and Todd Thomas were dropping by the house, all of whom I haven't seen in a couple months.


Ernesto & Todd, Spring '92

Last night I heard Uzoma Nwosu (you know Uzi, right?) on air doing his hip-hop/dance show on WXYC, so I called him up at the station and we're going to get together this week. Plus, on this past Tuesday night Lydia and I went to the Cradle to see Arrested Development, the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, and Me Phi Me perform. Finis Dunaway was there, among a cast of hundreds. Preston and Richard are around, working at the Varsity, haunting Franklin Street and Papagayo's. We've discovered a swimming pool that's at Northampton Terraces, just two apartment complexes behind North Street. It's the new Pink House pool...we go there to swim every day. See, these are all just some of the things that make me happy to be in Chapel Hill again.

- Letter to Caroline (& Mark Chilton) in Kenya

Mandated to be Painted Pink

Dearest Kyle, whassup wit you? Super Clint and DJ Erik here, profilin' and stylin', hanging out with a posse of Pink House miscreants. We got your letter months ago, but our general slackness is totally to blame for not having written back to you sooner. Ohmigod, Kyle, you would most definitely have loved going to school with us in Chapel Hill this past year! There's been such a panoply of craziness and coolness that's followed our every move, Clint and me. Yo, check out this latest issue of the DTH, in four color bold type, five column headines, it reads, "Erik and Clint assume titles of Supremely Cool Beings ruling Campus Life in all respects!"

Did you hear about that in Paris? We totally took over the entire town and made it over in our likenesses. Now, everybody's houses and even the campus dorms are mandated to be painted pink, and for fun on Saturday nights, you get to do one of two things in thousand-seat assembly halls we've constructed on Franklin Street - either go register to vote, or attend a poetry reading!

Kyle, you sounded like you were having a great time in your letter. And we read your article that was published in the Raleigh N&O, which was most informative. Our eyes got all misty and our souls grew heartsick, thinking about our little Kyle, all by herself and bravely conquering the land of "the Eiffel Tower, escargot, and Bridgette Bardot."

Seriously, g, are you still down for the cause that involves you and Caroline living with us next year in the Pink House? You guys could split the very spacious room that Clint and I have been sharing all year, with one of you sleeping on a futon, and the other on this beautiful, woodgrained single loft that I will let you use. There's a ten-foot high painting of the Mona Lisa in your room, closet space, high
ceilings, the works.

- Letter to Kyle in Paris

Dana's graduation party at the Pink House

Raj was getting a bad fire feeling

Intellectually stimulating dinner party at 307 Stacy

Clint and Mel's "Unexpected Encounters" on General College

There is so much to love about this episode, starring not one but two former residents of the Mona Lisa room. Flea (Mel Lanham) speaks out about the sorry state of the world in the Pit, and gets repeatedly reprimanded by her older sister who's in a sorority. Cain (Clint Curtis) keeps a flock of co-eds in rapture listening to his poetry, which irritates a bunch of frat stars to the point of pulling some Brady Bunch-style shenanigans on him, pretending to the "higher power" Cain has been attempting to contact. While chilling at Lenoir, Cain asks the timeless question, "What is the center of all energy?" And chews through the scenery in one avant-garde shot after another, any one of which would have made Kenneth Anger proud.

Meanwhile, Flea has the best line in the show when she asks her sister how she's supposed to express her views if she can't preach in the Pit..."by holding a chug-a-lug contest to raise money for abused children who probably got that way from alcoholic parents in the first place?"

Then attracts Cain's attention when he points her out to his dateless, Woody Allen-esque pal Aubery (Jim Rash) as "The one they call...Flea." Next, Cain and Flea have a super intense scene together, reflecting on how hard it is to be different!

Too freaking much. And then a lot more shit happens that left me in stitches. Including the outbreak of a SEX SCENE that doubles as a MUSIC VIDEO featuring original soundtrack and on-camera performance (both uncredited) by yet anotha Pink House head, Jasme Kelly! The WTF quotient keeps exponentially escalating here.

But there's more. The show ends with an official video by DADA VEDA for one of their most memorable tracks, "Chaos Has Its Own Order," co-directed by Clint, with scenes of the band performing, where else...in the Pink House living room.

General College provided early exposure for UNC undergrads like Billy Crudup and Haley Koch who would go on to bigger and/or more infamous starring roles. But this episode shows Mel and Clint had enough talent to outshine them all.

Dada Veda are one band you have to experience for yourself

"More decadence for your money at Cradle," Daily Tar Heel, 3/36/92

By LINDSAY LOWRY

Plutopia and Gravity's Pull will be donating their time for a cause both bands feel is vitally important, the vanishing rain forests and the indigenous people of South America and tropical Asia being destroyed along with them. Tuesday night (March 31) will be a joint endeavor of the Rain Forest Action Group of the SEAC and the Amnesty International Student Group. One of the new Cradle "Four Bands for $2" evenings, all proceeds go to help indigenous groups protect their land and livelihood from the onslaught of industrial "progress".

In addition to Plutopia and Gravity's Pull, the evening will feature Two Fish Blue and Dada Veda. Formerly John Svara and the Reptiles, Two Fish Blue (Svara, John Gillespie and Ian Shreier) has already gained quite a following in the state and beyond with their blend of intelligent lyrics and accessible music. They seem to be moving away from the acoustic-based sound they started with, and are experimenting, more with stronger bass lines and drum beats. Svara has been experimenting with electric guitar, to bring more rock flavor to his sound.

Dada Veda is a student band that consistently packs the Hardback Cafe and turning 'em away at the door. Their sound has a hint of the dark and moody found in the Smiths, and with their classical guitar, funky bass and a lead singer who delights in his drama major-ness, they are one band you have to experience for yourself.

So it looks like the coming week will be a good time to hear some good music...whether you want to be frivolous or help the disenfranchised. Spend the $2 and expose yourself to some Chapel Hill culture.

Benefit for Indigenous People with Two Fish Blue, Plutopia, Gravity's Pull and Dada Veda.
Tuesday, March 31 Cat's Cradle.
Tickets $2 at the door.
For information, 967-9053.

John Svara with Dada Veda at Cat's Cradle

Speaker Moore is a petty person

"Student activists protest Moore's re-election, claim graduate signature invalidates petition" Daily Tar Heel, 2/13/92

By Bonnie Rochman, Assistant University Editor

Two University students are contesting Speaker Tim Moore's re-election to Student Congress on the grounds that some of the 25 signatures on his election petition were illegitimate

Dana Lumsden, a senior from Boston, said he and Erik Ose, a junior from Bristol, R.I., had noted two discrepancies in Moore's petition. "People who sign the petition must put down their full name, address and phone number, and a couple of Tim's folks didn't even do that. "And there's a man on Tim's petition who is a graduate student, and graduate students cannot be represented by undergraduates as stated by the Student (Government) Code, so that makes one of Tim's signatures invalid," Lumsden said. "Therefore, there are only 24, not 25 signatures hence his position on the ballot is invalid."

Moore said he thought the signature in question was legitimate. "My understanding is that the person is a senior," he said. "Lumsden and Ose are alleging he's a graduate student. But the petitions were approved, and I don't see it as an issue."

Chris Bracey, Elections Board chairman, said the point was moot because the petitions already had been approved. He said he had randomly checked the petitions to make sure they were valid. Lumsden and Ose missed the deadline, which is 48 hours from when the petitions are turned in, to lodge their complaint, Bracey said. Bracey said he did not have time to look into the matter further.

Lumsden said the oversight was not Bracey's fault. "Chris was dealing with so many petitions and operating under the assumption that number one, people will not be petty," Lumsden said. "Speaker Moore is a petty person."

(Editor's note from 2019: And truer words were never spoken!)

Two of the most fun people we know

"Class of '93 hopefuls touted," Daily Tar Heel, 2/11/92

Philson/Pedigo would lead UNC to productive, fun year

To the editor: We are writing to endorse Caroline Philson and Christopher Pedigo for senior class president and vice president. As members of the class of '93, we feel that Philson and Pedigo are the best candidates for the following reasons:

Leadership. Philson is presently co-chairwoman of EEK! (Earth Education for Kids) and has been actively involved with the Student Environmental Action Coalition and UNITAS. Pedigo is the co-founder of the Russian House. He has also worked in student government and with Pauper Players. Philson and Pedigo have proven that they are effective leaders of various organizations, that they can be strong leaders of the class of '93.

Goals. Philson and Pedigo have goals that affect not only the senior class, but the entire University. Let's face it: We've been here for three years. Our awareness of the University's policies and problems put us in a position to do something about them. Now is the time for seniors to give back to the University. Philson and Pedigo hope to implement a book-loan program that would save all students money on books. They also plan to organize a task force to keep students informed about the budget crisis and what the legislature is doing.

Unity. Philson and Pedigo want to work hard to include all seniors in senior class activities. After three years of hard work, it's time to have some fun, but one-sided senior class activities are only fun for some. Philson and Pedigo hope to create activities that all seniors will feel comfortable participating in. Accessibility. Philson and Pedigo hope to be accessible to all seniors by participating in activities that encompass all seniors. This will include mobile "office" hours in places such as Lenoir Dining Hall and the Pit.

Fun. These two are some of the most fun people we know. They will most certainly lend their enthusiastic attitudes to everything they do. Remember, "For a good time, vote for Philson and Pedigo." Philson and Pedigo know what the offices of senior class president and vice president entail. They'll let George Bush promise you a job, but if you want to have a great time and help out the University in your last year at UNC, vote Philson and Pedigo for senior class president and vice president.

TRAVIS THOMPSON TYGART
Junior, Philosophy/Speech Communication

RUBY SINREICH
Junior, Environmental Protection

Did 1,900 people show up for a Pink House party?

I don't know how much Caroline told you about our house, but it's assuredly one of the dopest cribs in all of Chapel Hill. Walk two blocks up the street, and you're standing in front of the Chapel Hill post office. Our neighborhood is so peaceful - all these cool, older town residents who give us tomatoes out of their backyard gardens and loan us their power tools. We have not one but two separate, huge backyards. I kid you not. They are the ultimate places to sunbathe or to allow hundreds of excess partygoers to congregate.

Lydia & Raj enjoy the backyard, May '92

Speaking of which, both you and Caroline missed the biggest Pink House party that we've thrown so far this year, in January, right after we got back from winter break. There were 1900 people here!

"A good party would actually take a while to even navigate. I can remember being right around here (outside the back door)...for the entire party. I think I came to two or three Pink House parties before I ever went inside. You could just sit there and occupy yourself with lots of interesting conversations, meet a lot of people, talk about a lot of things. That’s what I remember most about parties here – the great conversations."

- Mike Thomas, sitting on the back stoop, 2009

We had two bands play, three kegs, a swimming pool full of more beer, christmas lights and disco decorations, not to mention hours upon hours of throbbing, mind-dilating techno acid hip hop house music.


Pink House Party Mix, Jan '92

Kyle, think about how much fun you'll have next year as one of the premier entertainment moguls of Chapel Hill!

Kyle at Chez Pink, Winter '93

O.k., here are some more deets. We'll be living with Clint, plus two other people, both of them cool as fuck. One guy, one girl. The girl is Lydia Craft, who lives with us now. She's an art history major and all around artistic type. Totally charming. Oh, and she's half-Australian. The guy is Jay Murray, this Lenny Kravitz-lookalike (sort of, only taller) and brilliant first-year sociology grad student from New York City. He did his undergrad at Boston College, then came here. You'll probably think he's fairly hot.

Jay and Lydia waking up in D.C., Fall '92 roadtrip

- Letter to Kyle in Paris

Dada Veda at Hardback Cafe

Anna and Chris present Marie and Bruce

"'Marie and Bruce' lures audience into abusive marriage relationship," Daily Tar Heel, 12/6/91

By MONDY LAMB
Omnibus Editor

"Marie and Bruce," a story about all the things a woman caught in an abusive marriage wants to tell her husband, is a dark, introspective look at the cycles of an abusive relationship. "The play is striking and offensive for the purpose of making people sit up and think," said Chris Quails, who plays Bruce in the production by The Campus Theatre. "Marie and Bruce," the second production to emerge from the recently formed group, portrays the reality of an abusive relationship as seen through a woman's imagination.

It opens with a couple in bed, the sum of the reality in which Marie and Bruce live. As Marie draws the audience into her imagination, she explains her treatment at Bruce's hands and her plans to leave him. In her imagination, she also speaks to him as she's never spoken to him before, telling him her true thoughts. In her imagination, she doesn't have to be the wife who takes abuse silently. Although the play is set in Marie's imagination, this actually makes her experiences more real. Rather than experiencing an objective, idealized point of view, members of the audience come to know Marie's thoughts as she addresses them directly, telling them about Bruce's behavior and attempting to bring them to her way of understanding her husband.

"She tries to get the audience on her side," said Anna Weinstein, who plays Marie. "At one point she says to the audience, 'He is such an asshole. Can't you see this?'" Because the play ends right back where it began, "Marie and Bruce" leaves the audience, rather than the characters, searching for a resolution. Perhaps that is the message: As a representation of abusive relationships, the play leaves no solution for the couple because the only solution available is one that Marie, representative of most people, won't take. "A lot of time people get trapped in a relationship and say they are going to break through and leave, but they come right back," Quails said. Weinstein said, "Marie is a weak person who wants very much to be strong."

Quails said the biggest challenge was keeping the humor in this very dark comedy. "It's a dark look at social interaction and deep personal relationships," he said. Much of the action takes place at an imaginary party in which Marie's thoughts serve as the conversations of the party guests.

The rest of the cast Coke Whitworth, Sarah E. Ruccio, Sarabeth Fields, Duncan Boothby, Tom Quinn and Patrick Emerson all play dual roles as party guests. Additionally, John Svara and John Bell will provide special music, and Clint Curtis will perform originally choreographed dance. As well as acting in the lead roles, Quails directs, and Weinstein assists.

"Marie and Bruce" will he presented at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Great Hall of the Union.

Pink House politics: Invite to Mark and Joe's swearing-in