When I first stepped out of my dorm room two years ago, nervous about whether I would make anything of the school year, nothing satiated my fear quite like hearing one of my floormates say, “Let’s all go to the K Week Kick-off!” Because at the time, no prospect seemed scarier than sitting solo at Commons, while all the other freshman enjoyed meals with their many friends.

As it turns out, I’m not the type to make friends at Kick-offs where you play duck, duck, goose and do group problem-solving games. After I ditched the rest of K Week I found some events in Lexington that were more my speed.

So if moving in droves of hundreds of shuffling, scared freshmen isn’t your cup of tea, check out some of the other, more authentically Lexington events happening this week.

Every Monday night, Common Grounds, one of Lexington’s most popular coffee houses, hosts an open mic night featuring the talents of musicians, poets and other artists you more than likely go to school with. The coffee and food are superb, the entertainment is free and it’s a chance to see some genuine Lexington culture. It’s a short walk from campus to its East High Street location, and with a new friend or two in tow, good times are bound to happen.

One of Lexington’s newest attractions are the Breakout Games, which feature themed rooms, each with a different mystery to solve in less than an hour, from “Casino Royal” to “The Derby Heist.” Bring a few friends or join another party’s game to meet new people and have a unique, action-filled adventure.

Wednesday night is board game night at campus’ favorite coffee spot, Coffea. During the school year, UK students frequent the island-themed coffee shop to zone-out after hours of labs and lectures, making it the perfect spot to chill with friends and enjoy some unique drinks. Fly solo and enjoy the discounted drinks, or find some friends and dominate the upperclassmen.

If board games aren’t your style, the Kentucky Theatre is playing “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” in their summer classic movie series. And what could be further from board games than gunslinging vagabonds? Exciting! The theatre is a Lexington landmark and a testament to classic picture houses of the 1920s.

Thursday Night Live has brought live music and tasty food to downtown for 20 years. So get a little dressed up, grab some friends and hit up one of the local eateries, like Shakespeare and Co., or one of the bars, like the Stagger Inn (if you’re 21 and over), before heading to the party.

Friday after the raging water balloon fight at the Johnson Center Fields or free movies at Memorial Hall, head back to the Kentucky Theatre for Midnight at the Kentucky, another free screening where they will be playing “Pitch Perfect 2.” What better way to begin a new day than with acapella?

Have fun and explore this first week free of school-related stress and see what nightlife at UK is all about, because once syllabus week is over, free-time and nightlife become a thing of the blissful past.

Marjorie Kirk is the opinions editor of the Kentucky Kernel.

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