PC: Shutterfoo Photography
The sky is pitch black and the air is cold. The UC Irvine campus seems empty along the walkways except for a clear, bright window showcasing a gang of students camped at the Starbucks amidst midterms week. But across the Starbucks, on the lowest level of the Cross-Cultural Center, EDM (Electronic Dance Music) bumps loudly through the walls and echoes across the walkway.
It’s 9 p.m. on a Wednesday night.
Inside the large room, big enough to hold 80 people, the lights are off and a group of about 20 people huddle on one side. They sit on the floor with their eyes fixated forward, and before them, another student kneels with their hands dancing furiously in front of the other’s face. The hands waving around are covered in tight, white gloves dotted with small LED light fingertips, flashing bright, neon colors sporadically and seemingly in rhythm to the music.
And this continues until midnight.
This is a typical club meeting for the members of Ambience, a gloving club on campus. Shane Aronson, president of the club, took the position on a whim just as it was beginning to die out last year. He revamped the club and now invites professionals to come give light shows at meetings.
Anyone is welcome to come in, from “glovers to music lovers,” as Aronson says. Many people just walk in and sit, enjoying the music, lights, and relaxing vibes. They are welcome to borrow extra gloves, but the majority bring their own.
In the middle of the midterm mayhem where students are found pulling all-nighters on a caffeine overdose, the members of Ambience, led by Aronson, take a break from reality.
Lights flashing and music bumping, Aronson’s fingers dance before wide-eyed faces.
But across the street at Starbucks, eyes were also fixated—but on computer screens.