A one-night event that ended with 35 arrests last year is scheduled again for a night next week in North Myrtle Beach.
“I’m Shmacked” is a company that visits colleges and creates web videos of “student life” (partying) off campus.
The videos, the company says, are used to help potential students decide which college is best for them. “Partying” seems to be the only criteria involved.
Last summer, I’m Shmacked made a couple of stops for Coastal Carolina University, one of which included a party night at the House of Blues.
Then, 35 people – 34 of which were under age 21 — were arrested for various charges including disorderly conduct, urinating in public, minors in possession of alcohol, and altering ID cards.
Of the 34 underage people, 30 were teenagers.
I’m Shmacked also made visits to apartments near CCU to complete the party video for potential CCU students.
Next Thursday at the House of Blues, North Myrtle Beach authorities will be cracking down on the event, which again will allow 18 and up ages to attend.
“Some our obvious focuses will be underage drinking, false IDs, DUI. No drinking will be allowed in the parking lot,” said Pat Dowling, North Myrtle Beach City Spokesman.
Dowling also added that they have been planning for some time for the return of I’m Shmacked at HOB, which will cost about $30 to attend.
“The City’s public safety department has worked closely with the staff at the House of Blues and Coastal Carolina University to coordinate our plans,” Dowling said.
“As always, we will treat participants with respect but for their own safety and that of others, we will also enforce the law,” Dowling added.
The 4-minute video that was released as the official CCU tour includes dozens of scenes of women in tiny bikinis, men yelling and drinking and the wild party at the House of Blues.
The CCU I’m Shmacked video (WARNING: Use discretion and not recommended for anyone under 18)
There are also several crude scenes in the video, including expletives, vulgar hand gestures and young women “twerking.”
The video features several extreme close-ups of young women’s barely covered breasts and is not recommended for anyone under age 18.
“I’m Shmacked” was described as “the fastest-growing party brand on America’s college circuit,” by the Syracuse Post-Standard.
After the CCU visit, the I’m Shmacked tour goes Friday to Chapel Hill, NC, where tickets cost up to $150. The next stop after that is Athens, Ohio, where tickets cost as much as $1,100.
Related story: 35 arrests at I’m Shmacked event at House of Blues
Detractors of the group say that it promotes binge drinking and over-the-top behavior.
The Upstart Business Journal describes their exploits like this: “The parties get bigger. The girls get naughtier. The music gets louder and the alcohol flows faster.”
