Have You Been “Volun-Told” at the Eighth Note Coffeehouse?

The Eighth Note Coffeehouse is located on the ground floor of the Union, right by the Parking and Transit windows. You know, the room that is darkened and filled with loud music or the occasional obscenity. The “nerdy” hang out on campus where students can play video games or Magic the Gathering. The Eighth Note Coffeehouse does go beyond a “nerdy” hangout. While it attracts an alternative audience, the patrons really do go beyond that.

Mailee Yang, a “volunteer” at the Eighth Note describes her journey through the Eighth Note from when she started at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee back in 2011. Yang mentioned that she originally found the Eighth Note to be a quiet place to do her homework and was later “volun-told.”

“Being ‘volun-told’ is our way of saying, hey we’d really like you to come work behind the counter,” said Yang.

Yang also commented that she has heard other students describe the Eighth Note as an exclusive place and that there should be a level of “uniqueness” or “nerdiness” that should be achieved upon entrance. Upon observation, there have been many people who have either come in and stopped to meet with people, grab a coffee, or simply walk through that all seem very different from the person they are standing next too.

“We as an organization try to establish an atmosphere that’s open for everyone to come in and hang out,” said Yang.

Michael Kirsanov, a Supply Chain major and two-year patron of the Eighth Note Coffeehouse, describes his time in the Eighth Note and how it has changed over the years. Kirsanov explained that he comes to the Eighth Note to do his homework and socialize.

“I choose the 8^th Note as an alternative to other places due to the lax environment, varying social niches, and the simple means of obtaining tea, “ Kirsanov continued. “Few other places are unique like it.”

Both Kirsanov and Yang described the Eighth Note as becoming like a home for themselves and other patrons. Yang describes that behind the counter, the “volunturs” are like a family and a place where they can openly vent to each other during stressful times in their life.

Kirsanov describes that the Eighth Note scene is not for everyone, due to the overall loudness and larger crowd brought in on most afternoons.

“I find sanctuary in many places – in a place as social and varied as the 8^th Note, it can be sometimes hard to find peace and quiet during the busy hours,” Kirsanov said. “As with all forms of social groups, some are more accepted or ‘in’ than others.”

This being said, Eighth Note does have its’ “cliques,” but it is not like a high-school where one is against the other. Naturally, people tend to hang out or create friendships among the things they have in common with each other. Patrons say the Eighth Note really does have a little something for everybody.

Whether you’re a tea person or a coffee person, or you want a nice place to study or make new friends or listen to something other than “radio music,” you can get it at the Eighth Note. They even host and sponsor other events on campus. There are bulletin boards to advertise campus wide events and they host their own Retro Game and Open Mic nights.

“Give it a try, come in at least once and if you don’t like it, that’s fine you don’t have to return but it’s something you should definitely give a try,” said Yang.