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The Last
Hurrah

Bachelor and bacheloretteparties
continue as apopular tradition.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

Last month, some friends took Rachel Schwartz to a comedy club and hired a stripper for her bachelorette party.

ry finding a bride or groom who
has not had a bachelor or bach-
elorette party. Too difficult?
Probably not. The question usu-
ally isn't whether to have one or
not. It's an issue of where to go
and what to do.
These patties, steeped in tra-
dition, are as commonplace as
bridal showers and the honey-
moon. While their history dates
back to an untraceable time,
bachelor and bachelorette bash-
es are the norm among those
about to bid farewell to the sin-
gle life.
Originally, the purpose of the
bachelor party was "to raise a
special fund for the groom so he
could continue to drink with his
buddies after his bride took con-
trol of the household finances,"
says Brides Magazine. "But
mainly (it) was a way of mourn-
ing the passing of one man's
bachelor status.
"The bachelors were good
sports, though. At some point,
the group switched to cham-
pagne and, with great ceremo-
ny, they toasted the bride. So
they might never be used 'for
a less worthy purpose,' the
glasses were then smashed in a
nearby fireplace, or lacking that,
they were stamped underfoot."
(Sound familiar?)
Today's bachelor parties are
often tamer, although not al-
ways, as the groom and his
friends reminisce about the
past, toast the future and say
goodbye to bachelorhood.
These days, prewedding
gatherings aren't for men only.
The bride's friends and family
throw bachelorette parties Like
the guys' parties, they are
an excuse for the women to
go out, reflect on old memories

bachelor party. He brought to-
gether 30 guys for a golf outing
named in the future groom's
honor.
"It was a lot of fun trying to
plan it and find different things
to do," Mr. Jeross said. "The golf
outing involved some creativi-
ty other than loading a van with
guys and going to the bars."
Mr. Jeross, who was part of
the wedding party, said going
to a topless bar or hiring strip-
pers was not his friend's style.
"I've been to all kinds of bach-
elor parties and they've all been
different depending on whom
they're for," Mr. Jeross said.
While it's usually the maid of
honor or best man who plan the
parties, participants usually pay
their own way and a night out
can get rather costly.
Mr. Rotenberg guesses, de-
pending on the extravagance, a
bachelor party can cost between
$40-75 a person.
"I charged $40, intending to
break even," he said. "Any prof-
its went to my brother."
Drawing attention to whoev-
er is about to walk down the
Mourning the
aisle is an opportunity many
passing of single
friends of a bachelor or bache-
lorette won't pass up.
status.
Ms. Cole recently planned a
bachelorette party where the
bride-to-be had to wear a plas-
Rotenberg, who last year tic bowling ball and chain
planned his brother Mark's around her ankle.
At her own bacheloette party,
bachelor party. Mr. Rotenberg,
now 33, invited his brother's Ms. Cole and a group of friends
friends to a local apartment went out to dinner and saw a
clubhouse for an evening of card show at Second City before hit-
games, catered coney islands ting a few area bars.
"Bachelor and bachelorette
and Greek salads, a bartender
parties are a good opportunity
and exotic dancers.
Mark Jeross, 27, also of to go out with friends and just
Farmington Hills, chose a dif- have a good time," Ms. Cole
ferent route for his friend's said. ❑

and celebrate with the bride.
"I would assume bachelorette
parties started only because the
girls didn't want to see guys
having a great time without
having their own fun," said
Julie Cole, 26, a recent bride
herself.
With today's bachelor and
bachelorette bashes, anything
goes.
Some people, like Mitch
Rosenwasser of West Bloom-
field, choose to head north,
spending the weekend in the
great outdoors. Mr. Rosen-
wasser, 32, who has been to two
camping bachelor parties, spent
a weekend with camp friends
reminiscing about previous
summers.
Others opt for the indoor set-
ting of bars, comedy clubs, casi-
nos and— who can forget — the
infamous strip clubs.
"It's an opportunity to go out
with friends for a last hurrah
before you tie the knot," said
Farmington Hills resident Steve

r

Calendar

August 6- September 7

Sunday, Oct. 1
The Young Adult Division of Federation
and Hillel of Metro Detroit volunteer
night at Super Sunday. Participants will
help solicit contributions for the Allied
Jewish Campaign. 6-9 p.m. at the Max
M. Fisher Building. Call (313) 577-3459
or (810) 642-4260.

Wednesday, Oct. 11
"Dip Into Israel." Hear about study, trav-
el and work options in Israel. 7 p.m. at
the University of Michigan Hillel. (313)
769-0500.

Monday, Oct. 18
Open basketball at Lawrence Techno-
logical University Fieldhouse. 9-11 p.m.
Call Hillel of Metro Detroit for details.
(313) 577-3459.

Sunday, Oct. 22
The Young Adult Division of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit will
host a fall afternoon of family fun at Up-
land Hills. 1-4 p.m. Activities include
hayrides, magic shows, pumpkins and a
haunted house. Tickets are $8. Call
(810) 642-4260.

Sunday, Oct. 22
Hillel of Metro Detroit's hayride-bonfire
with Israeli dancing. 7-10:30 p.m. at
Wiard's Orchard in Ypsilanti. RSVP by
Oct. 18. Call (313) 577-3459.

Monday, Oct. 23
Coffee house night at Lonestar Coffee
Co. in Birmingham. 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 31
Young Adult Division Bar Nite at Old
Woodward Grill in Birmingham. 8 p.m.

Do you have an item for our
young adult 1 singles calm-
diar? Send it to Jennifer Finer
at The Jewish News
27676 Franklin Rd.
Southfield, MI 48034

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