Still Life, a popular nightclub on Franklin Street, has found itself at the center of a growing debate among students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill about the importance of representation and equal access in local nightlife.
On the surface, Still Life seems to be a thriving center of entertainment that draws visitors and locals from various backgrounds. However, a closer look exposes a dramatic difference between the largely homogenous clientele of the nightclub and the diversified population surrounding the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Camryn Hines, a student at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, stated from her experiences that it is apparent from the music selections that Still Life is intended for a specific demographic.
“They [the Disc Jockey] hardly play music that people of color would enjoy and if they do, they turn it into an EDM remix. I can count the number of songs performed by a black artist on less than ten fingers,” Hines said.
Her comments bring to light a significant worry that many people in the university community share. The lack of diversity in the nightclub’s musical selections raises concerns about its inclusiveness and its capacity to satisfy the wide range of tastes and backgrounds represented among the UNC-Chapel hill community it serves.
Another visual representation of this issue is apparent on Still Life’s website, where a dearth of diversity is evident. The gallery showcases only three individuals of color on the cover images of their Chapel Hill location’s eight monthly album recaps, dating back to December 2022.
This ongoing discussion highlights the more important issue of how local nightlife venues can more accurately represent the diverse community they serve. The conversation on how to improve representation, equal access, and a more inclusive nightlife in Chapel Hill continues to pick up steam. The result of these discussions could have a big impact on Still Life and other businesses in the surrounding area, with potential results going beyond Franklin Street.
As the discussion picks up steam, Chapel Hill’s residents and students collaborate to find solutions for fostering a more diverse and inclusive nightlife. Beyond a single nightclub, this discussion reveals a broader intent in the community to ensure that the town’s entertainment options accommodate the wide range of preferences and origins of its residents. Although it is still unclear how these conversations will turn out, the proactive participation of people from different backgrounds highlights the community’s commitment to bridging the gap between Chapel Hill’s current nightlife scene and the diverse community it serves by fostering a more inclusive and equitable nightlife.
