The Daily Collegian Wednesday, Jan. 3, 1979—' .0: Bourbon Street topless dancer Michelle poses after her performance. °~~~ 1a • A,44.5t1 The New Orleans Marriott was the scene of a huge Penn State New Yedis Eve party Sunday night Lion pride rocks in New Year BY JOYCE TOMANA *jaily Collegian Sports Writci NEW ORLEANS, La. For Penn State fans, New Year's Eve was the height of spirit for the Nittany Lions and celebration throughout the city. For anyone wanting to drown themselves in decadence, drinking or just old fashioned rowdiness Bourbon Street and the French Quarter was the place to be. But the main objective for the Lion rooters was to cheer on their team no matter what the outcome of the game. New Year's Eve was a dreary, warm day. t An enthusiastic 4,000 assembled in the courtyard of the Hilton, the team Penn State fans took time out and viewed the CBS 60 Minutes spot on Joe Paterno Sunday night By JERRY MICCO Daily Collegian Sports Writer NEW ORLEANS, La. The tools of her trade: a G-string and a knack for dancing. Her name is Michelle and she is a 20- year-old topless dancer in one of many such places along Bourbon Street. "I do it because I'm a night person and I like to meet people. Plus, I like a lot of money," Michelle said. On this Sugar Bowl week, Michelle said she will make about $BOO. She is paid $1.50 per hour plus tips. This is the only way Michelle makes her money, she is not a prostitute, like some of the girls at the place. "When I first came to work here, my parents didn't like it. I didn't come from a wealthy family. But I still keep in touch with them and I only live six blocks away from them," Michelle said. Michelle has worked at the Bourbon St. establishment for four years and has not worked anywhere else since she started there. She got started in this profession when she was about 16. "The kinds of girls who worked here were good friends of mine, and I started to run around with the others," she said. Michelle usually dances once an hour on a normal night, but this really depends on how, many girls show up for work. When or how many times she comes to work usually depends on her own personal preference, Michelle said When Michelle steps on stage to perform her act, she has really no thoughts about what she is doing or for who she is per forming. "I don't think about anything, I just get up there and dance. I really don't pay attention to the customers, I just look at them," Michelle said. But, on Sugar Bowl week, students are the majority of her customers . and this was quite evident by the number of red Alabama hats and blue Penn State hats in headquarters. The rain continued, and so did the cheering. There were children, students, alumni of all ages. Banners, hats, handpainted signs and streamers created a sea of blue and white. The head cheerleader from the Class of 1927, who didn't appear to have enough strength to make it from Jackson Square to Bourbon Street, brought everyone to their feet when he took the microphone. The cheerleaders and the Lion kept the noise going until the Blue Band and the majorettes arrived. Only one more thing was needed the Nittany Lions themselves. The applause could be heard at the Alabama headquarters several blocks away when coach Joe 1 - . :',.;,,,,,,.., , f,.. .„, . . 7, 3-. 1 , ..,,.. i pkr,, , ,, 5.5.:,.-. .4 ~., -,:•:,,,...,,,-.., ' --- ..i .#,i —..,,,,=....,,, ::: 1 : . !: ,,,,,,-.,.:::...,,,:,,,„,;,-.."2.,',:,, , -':.. , ::,: ,, k ' :'' ' :' ' ' l :::':' : :: ' .. s ;. ' ; : :!',':,:::'::; " ' '' ,:.:-. ' ': ' ::' ,: .,, ': ' ' .; : ::::- : the audience. But Michelle really doesn't mind, "The students that come here are all right," she said, "but the tourists are best because they have money to spend. I just accept the fact that they are students." There are many types of people who come to this place when they get here, but it really doesn't matter who they are to Michelle. "The people I look at depends on ap pearance, some of them are scrungy people. But I don't play to people because it looks like they have class or money," she said. The treatment of the girls at these places might be suspect to some, but Michelle said that it wasn't bad. "We are treated good here, a lot of girls have danced here for over two years. This is really a laid-back joint, all you have to do is dance," Michelle said. However, Michelle said she is not committed to just working there. She does do something on the side about three months a year. "I go to beautician school sometimes. I take about three months out of a year to go, but I'm in no hurry to get my career started," she said. Michelle then went back to the stage to start yet another set of dances. She per formed many gymnastic type moves which were quite good. "I really learned it right up there (on stage) by trying it. This one girl who came to work here is the one I learned it off•of," Michelle said. There was also a latoo on a couple parts of Michelle's and the other girls' bodies, and Michelle revealed the origin of hers. "I got mine when I went with this guy. I don't mind them and I really like but terflys and mushrooms," she said. She then offered a sip of champagne with which to celebrate New Year and went off to collect more tips and wait on customers. Paterno and his team arrived When the sun went down, humanity began to fill Bourbon Street. But several thousand Penn State fans had migrated to the Marriot Hotel where an official Penn State New Year's Eve celebration had been arranged., There was so much cheering, that the debut' of 1979 was almost overlooked. The crowd took time out for the 10 second countdown, one chorus of Auld Lang Syne and it was back to Fight On State. The Marriot was probably the only place in New Orleans that the Alabama battle cry "Roll Tide Roll," could not be heard. Photo by Chl, New Orleans and Bourbon Street jazz is famous. Musicians such as this saxophonist play up and down the street Two Penn State students display their paw print makeup Monday at the game. The barroom stripper was one of the more common sights in New Orleans. Here this stripper strikes a pose to attract customers. rx 4. '), .7.1 , lA' ''4 ) 4 E , . 1 riti 9 It._ se [4l k 2 fie 4 ; ; '4474::}49,0 a,e• '..6,41, , 1 •.. ..:IJ., 1 1 1 , 4 I j_____ • •••• Photo by JOO TO! Photo by Chip Connolly
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