[feature]

The Young and the Righteous:
Social club seeks social change

By: Emily Rea

With the sheer number of young socialites in the Port City—using their weekends to take a break from college course work or channeling the pressures of a work week into cocktails and karaoke—it’s obvious that Wilmington’s party scene is alive and well. Bars, nightclubs and restaurants in this town are somewhat like cockroaches—short of a nuclear war, they’re always going to be alive and kicking.

It’s a totally normal and youthfully glorious phenomenon among the approximate 21-35 age demographic. Going out is not only fun and whimsical, it also softens the harsh light of weekday realities and provides a richly communal atmosphere among our city’s wide range of social circles. But what if the act of going out, something that already ranks highly among many folks’ life priorities, could also be used for social change? It’s a question that local Sarah Barbee saw no reason to not ponder, and this year she has made the concept a reality.

“I felt that the involvement of individuals in the 21-35 range was decreasing,” Barbee explains. Noting that most college applications—as well as college Greek life, clubs and organizations—actually require charity work and volunteering, she continues, “When we graduate, we find that we have just enough time to work, pay the bills and see our friends before the week starts over again. The social club came from me finally feeling secure and like I had free time again to devote to a cause. But then which one? This is a struggle I think the whole demographic faces.”

The Port City Social Club was formed with this in mind, as Barbee searched her community for a place in which she could make a difference. “I had heard of several promotions companies forming in the area, and I had also talked with my cousin about a group in Atlanta called ‘The Wednesday Night Drinking Club,’” Barbee reveals. “After contacting this group and some others, I decided to begin asking around at local bars and restaurants to see if they would be interested in participating. The response was incredible, and in February I made the group official.”

The Port City Social Club is still relatively new, but its sights are set high for social change in Wilmington. A completely grassroots organization, in which everyone involved helps out in their spare time with no benefits, it is foremost a nonprofit promotions company that provides social events in the Wilmington community to support local nonprofits.

“We focus on [that] demographic who already frequent many of the participating businesses,” Barbee says. “If you were to ask around UNCW or CFCC, you would find that many of these students and the newly graduated spend between $5-$20 a week just paying entrance fees to bars and nightclubs. Our idea is to direct that money from time to time to local charities, while inside the establishments is the most exciting event you’ll find on the given night. We also get a chance to bring awareness to the charities and [provide] possible help [in finding] new volunteers and support.”

The club primarily looks for local charities or local divisions of national charities to benefit, preferably those that receive less than $100,000 per year in national funds and grants. Also targeted are new groups that are looking for volunteers.

“We [also] work hard to match the charity with the location,” Barbee tells. “Our upcoming pet adoption fair [Paws for a Cause on July 13th at the Goat and Compass] is a personal request from the owner of Goat and Compass.”

Events range from private parties at popular nightclubs, to dinner and live entertainment at area restaurants, with a large majority of the proceeds benefitting the nonprofit, a portion of which is withheld only to cover the cost of promotion posters and occaisionally the cost of the entertainment or food. Inevitably, there have been a few misconceptions to outmaneuver, specifically the stereotype that labels the Port City Social Club as “a bunch of party kids.”

“We’re not, far from it,” Barbee assures. “I just know that it’s always more fun to listen to music and party when you know it’s for a good cause.”

Bringing social change to the clubs, as well as local restaurants, has certainly been an experiment well worth the investment of her time. The club’s most recent event, held June 25th at the Dirty Martini, raised funds for the upcoming Reach the Beach 2008, an annual gathering of hundreds of youth and adults who will work to repair the homes of elderly, handicapped or lower-income local residents. (For more information, visit www.capefearvolunteercenter.org.)
The Port City Social Club is now open for business, serving benevolence all day, and checking IDs and motives at the door. Young people take note: We can all help make a difference, no matter what stage of life we are in.

For more information, visit them at facebook.com or www.myspace.com/portcitysocialclub, or e-mail portcitysc@yahoo.com.

Upcoming Port City Social Club events include:
July 13th: Paws for a Cause. Pet adoption fair, 2-5pm. Entertainment and prizes, 5pm-close. Goat and Compass, 710 N. Fourth Street.

July 17th: Wine Dinner for Domestic Violence. Silent auction, 6-7:30pm. Dinner, 7:30. Chelsea’s Wine Bar and Eatery, 1 S. Front Street.

July 22nd: Step Up for Soldiers, Business After Hours. Food and drink specials, and a live performance by Tom Rhodes, 6:30-9:30pm. Water Street Restaurant, 5 S. Water Street.

August 8th: Big Buddy Blowout. Live music, 9pm-close. 16 Taps, 127 Princess Street.