If on first hearing the term “itchy feet” painful memories of Athletes Foot or your urgent desire to travel – whether that’s to South America or simply out of your seminar – are conjured we’ll forgive you. Just this once though. Because its true and far more important meaning for those of you in the know is that Itchy Feet is a “homeless party”. Originating in Leeds, Itchy Feet offers party-goers at all the major universities a trip back into the vintage era with music ranging from swing and soul to ska and rock and roll. And in the famous words of Thin Lizzy, the Itchy Feet boys are back in town – our town that is.
Well informed rumour has it that the next party is going to be on October 14th hosted at our Tuesday and Thursday…sometimes Monday and Friday, haunt Arena. The website says that by having it’s “roots in the clubs” Itchy Feet applies “the same formula to wherever the wind takes us, so no longer will you have to listen to the same old s**t.” So for all you music lovers out there who are beginning to tire of the incessant pop monotony of Exeter’s current club scene and you can’t face the mound of mozzarella that Cheesy Tuesdays demands you tap your feet to one more time (is Carly Rae even beginning to bore you?), then this is the night for you.
If you are an Itchy Feet virgin, be warned: there will be no grinding with a Peter Andre wannabe in the style that the Timepiece balcony demands you do. Enjoy having your feet do a shoe-boppin’ style dance as though you’ve put curlers in your hair and you have a boy literally swinging you off your feet. If the picture hasn’t been quite painted for you, Her Campus Exeter has a few pieces of advice for what we believe is one of the top nights you’ll have out this side of Christmas:
• Visit the website, http://www.itchyfeetonline.co.uk/#!home/mainPage in for outfit inspiration and to download the podcasts. Our personal favourite is “Dirty Sister” to play at your prelash.
• Think red lips, polka dots, swinging skirts (and braces on the boys). For the real deal vintage clothes meal head to The Real McCoy with items and accessories from the 1880’s to 1980’s. Alternatively for next day door delivery, ASOS has never let the Her Campus team down.
• Wear vintage shoes. No, really.
• For you real keen swing fans, join the university Swing Society as an opportunity to practise your grooves before the night.
• Finally, find a strong boy. Or one who’s light on his feet. In the nicest way possible girls, to make the most of this night you must discriminate against your male friends who either can’t lift you up, can’t spin you round or can’t hold you steady as you get over excited kicking your legs to heights you didn’t think were possible and in directions they shouldn’t go. Muscles and/or magnificent dance moves are a must.
For those of you who didn’t succeed online within the first hour they were released and are still on the golden ticket hunt, (told you it was popular), reps will be continuing to sell tickets so “like” the Exeter group on Facebook to stay up to date: http://www.facebook.com/itchyfeetexeter?fref=ts Alternatively, check the event page where the company posts ticket information regularly http://www.facebook.com/events/270009386450183/272679109516544/?notif_t=plan_mall_activity.
Finally, ask around amongst societies and sports teams, they are likely to get their hands on a few tickets for interested members so just try to keep your ears open. If all else fails, download the music and start honing your moves for when the Itchy Feet bus rolls back into town so you can murder on the dancefloor next time.