With the start of a new school year at the University of Saskatchewan, most students have their minds on classes, textbooks and studying. However, as the old saying goes, “All work and no play makes U of S students crazy and burnt out.” Or something like that.

If you’re feeling completely burdened by your workload, fear not. It’s actually possible to have fun on campus! The U of S offers a wide range of cultural and artistic activities to help you cut loose while still enriching your mind.

Our very own campus bar, Louis’ Pub, offers more than just cold drinks and five different kinds of poutine. It also hosts some really great events. Coming up on Sept. 5 is Louis’ Flea Market Madness. With tons of cool stuff for sale, you might just find that precious antique that will help pay for your tuition this term! Plus, there are brunch specials at Louis’ Loft (the cafe upstairs)for refueling so you don’t shop until you drop.

Hot on the tail of Welcome Week, come down to Louis’ for the House Party: Toga Edition. Get that classic college experience by wearing a toga and meeting some great new people! With great music and $2 beer, it’s sure to be a night to remember.

On Sept. 12, saddle up for Louis’ Country Cabaret, featuring Brody Siebert with Arron Rigden.  Siebert is a hometown boy from Saskatoon, so be sure to mosey on over and check out some great local talent.

Both the House Party and the Country Cabaret are 19+ and tickets are available at ticketfly.com, while the Louis’ Flea Market is all ages and has free entry. Grab a friend, grab a drink and have a great time!

Want to add some drama to your life? The U of S is home to the Greystone Theatre, the drama department’s main stage.  With casts and crews comprised almost entirely of U of S students, the theatre aims to present four shows per season. This fall term, they are performing two shows.

The first, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, is a comedy by Steve Martin. Three men meet in a Paris Cafe in 1904 and debate the nature of time, space and the universe. It runs October 7–17.

The second, running November 18–28, is The Caucasian Chalk Circle by Bertolt Brecht. A tale of epic proportions, The Caucasian Chalk Circle confronts our ideas of fairness and judgment in unexpected ways.

It’s hard to find a larger concentration of student talent on campus. Greystone really showcases some of the best things about this university: creativity, self-expression and really awesome choreographed sword fights.

Sometimes, you just need to dance your troubles away, both literally and figuratively. Both of these can be accomplished at the U of S. The university offers a plethora of different opportunities to shake your groove thing.

The U of S Ballroom Dancing Club offers a wide variety of dance classes at all levels. Beginners can learn seven different types of dance, ranging from the Waltz to the Rumba. It’s a great way to meet new people and get some exercise. Registration is held in September.

Campus Recreation also offers a swing dance club. The club meets weekly at the Physical Activity Complex to jive to vintage dance styles from the 20s, 30s and 40s. No experience or partner required! Students can purchase yearly or term memberships, or just drop in.

The U of S is also home to a number of visual art galleries. The Kenderdine Art Gallery will be hosting an upcoming exhibit called Biliana Velkova: Fake Plastic Trees, curated by Leah Taylor. Opening on Sept. 18, the exhibit observes the branding and commodification of nature — for example, as tourist attractions. The pieces for this show have been pulled from the university’s permanent collection. Other galleries, like the Gordon Snelgrove Gallery on campus, showcase undergraduate and graduate student work.

So remember: when the thought of memorizing another phrase in Spanish makes your brain want to explode, take a step back. With the help of the U of S’ arts and culture community, it’s possible to learn the art of having fun.

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Image: Jeremy Britz/Graphics Editor