U.S.G. & WBNY Present "Karaoke Night"

        With the song list in circulation and the music blasting wall to wall, the retail side of the Student Union took on more of the role a bar, as opposed to a place of dining.
       
        As students filled the tables, all that was heard were the sounds of laughter accompanied by the DJ’s voiceovers and pop tunes playing in the background.
       
        The Union, as it is commonly called, had now become a karaoke bar. And students like Victoria Horecki were determined to showcase their talents, as well as try their hands at a prize.

        Having just a few moments till the show, the DJ started early and introduced Horecki as the first performer. With all eyes on Horecki, she stood in the center of it all.
       
        Singing Evanence’s “Wake Me Up Inside”, Horecki’s voice over it’s tune, filled the air of the once designated dining area.
       
        "Karaoke Night", which took place Nov. 15, was thrown by both the Student Life Committee of U.S.G. and 91.3FM WBNY.
       
        Giving students the opportunity to enjoy a free night of karaoke, by performing students entered to win one of five $15 gift cards for things like Applebee’s and Tim Norton’s.
       

Victoria Horecki Performing "Wake Me Up Inside"

        Ultimately winning an Itunes gift card, Horecki was one of about 30 students who performed that night.
       
        The fashion and merchandise major said that she’d been looking forward to the event and truly enjoyed it.

“I like it. It’s fun. I was waiting for this event,” said the junior from Long Island.
       
        Also performing Evanescence’s “My Immortal“, Horecki said she enjoys karaoke and signs up whenever she can.

“Whenever I can find it, I’ll sign up,” said Horecki.

        However, Horecki wasn’t the only who admitted to regularly taking part in karaoke in her spare time.
       
        Cory Farnung, who also performed that night, said that he’d done karaoke not too long ago with a friend while playing “Guitar Hero”.
       

Cory Farnung Performing "The Real Slim Shady"

        Performing “The Real Slim Shady” by Eminem, the history major said he was pleased to take part in the event.

“I just wanted to be apart of it and spread the entertainment,” said Farnung.

        The freshman from Rochester, also performed Bon Jovi’s “My Immortal”, and in fact went on to win himself a $15 gift certificate for Tim Norton’s.
       
        The event, which has taken place two times prior, usually happens at the end of every semester. Brian McDermott, of 91.3FM WBNY, said the event aims at get students active, and to have good time in the process.

“We just wanted to get students active, and we know people like karaoke,” said the junior from South Buffalo.
       
        As “Academic Inquizition” on Nov. 28 in Bulger North will be USG’s next event, “Battle of The Orgs” on Nov. 29 in Moore Complex Lounge will be the next appearance of WBNY.
       
        In the meantime, “Karaoke Night” accomplished what it had initially set out to do.
Which as McDermott kindly put it,

“We just hope everyone enjoys themselves, and that we get our name out there,” said McDermott.

U.S.G. Presents "Movie Night"

       In a half lit room, students sat arm to arm facing a movie projection on the wall. As remnants of Chinese food and popcorn filled the air, students paid full attention to the images ahead. When the credits passed and the movie began, so did the students. Laughing all the way to the end.
      
       "The Campaign" which starred actors Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis, was shown this Thursday inside the Student Union Game Room. The movie was one of many shown throughout the school year in conjunction with the United Students Government's movie night.
      
       Funded through the student activity fee, the event gave students an opportunity to watch one of the latest movies for free. It also maintained the convenience of not forcing students to leave campus in order to do so. According to fashion and dance major Andrea Wright, this is ultimately the purpose behind throwing the monthly events.

“We try to make it convenient for students so that they don’t have to leave campus,” said the Bronx native.
      
       Wright who’s the assistant vice president of student life, said the event has taken place more than five years, and aims to unite as well as entertain the students.

“We wanted to have a way to entertain students with movies that’s out. That’s why we throw them,” said the senior.

       Where there's usually a big turnout, the 40 to 50 students who seen "The Campaign" were nothing compared to the 80 and 90 who attended "The Avengers" and "The Dark Knight Rises" said Wright.

       However despite the decline in audience, students like Aaliyah White still came out to enjoy the show.
      
       Previously attending movie night, the business major said she’s all for the event and thinks it’s great.

“I feel like they [U.S.G.] do a lot. It’s perfect. Once a month is fine,” said the freshman from Houston.
      
       Camila Gomez whose from White Plains, was also in attendance with a buddy. The freshman said she feels the event is cool as well.

“I think it’s kind of cool that you can watch a movie for free,” said the political science major.
      

Students Watching The Campaign

       Unlike the others, the event included both popcorn and Chinese food that was provided by Chartwell’s. While students like White enjoyed the food provided, the final showing of this semester is approaching.
      
       Sparkle which stars Jordan Sparks, will be shown Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. inside the Game Room. As students are encouraged to attend, it will conclude the fall 2012 semester of the U.S.G. movie night.

"Dames At Sea"

       As the audience waited in anticipation, the lights dropped and the room became black. Sitting in nothing but pure darkness, a spotlight appeared and there stood Raquel de Souza.

       Dressed in grey knickerbockers, a yellow blouse with light grey shoes, Souza stood center stage staring the crowd head on. As the piano began, so did Souza, belting an upbeat tune about the oh so famous Broadway.

       With tunes pouring from two pianos, Souza sung and danced about where she was soon accompanied by three back-up dancers. The ladies tipped and tapped and spun until the Broadway anthem concluded.

       Thereafter, the ladies stood and begun their lines where they complained about the stress and troubles of Broadway. As it turned out, working on Broadway had not been as pleasant as it had seemed.
   
        "Dames at Sea", which is based on the book by George Haimsohn and Robin Miller, is a musical focusing on a young girl's pursuit to stardom. Covering both the challenges and triumphs of working on Broadway, "Dames at Sea" features Raquel de Souza along with a few other students of the school's theater department.
   
"Dames at Sea" about a musical that is shut down and forced off of Broadway due to financial struggles. Ultimately taking the musical aboard, the play features Souza as its infamous lead singer Mona Kent on some nights, and as Chita on others depending on the schedule of the cast.

       Souza, who learned two roles due to the cast‘s rotation, said the variety made preparations that much more interesting as well as give it a professional feel.



Raquel de Souza

“It’s good because you get a professional type of feel. You always have to be on top of your work. Plus it’s always interesting to watch the other person perform,” said Souza.

       Souza, who previously starred in "The Children’s Hour" and "Working", said that despite the month long rehearsals, working on "Dames at Sea" was more than fun.

“I had so much fun. It was the best chemistry with a cast. The trust and fun atmosphere really helped a lot,” said the theater major.

       The musical which puts a comical spin on the challenges and triumphs of Broadway, kept audience members in laughter, with a few stating that it did not disappoint.

“I thought it was spectacular. I loved it!,” said Mollie Ross.

        Ross, who majors in education, said that the chemistry amongst the actors was one of the things she loved the most.

“I loved the chemistry among the actors. The charisma, everyone was so into their parts,” said Ross.

       Adza Beda, who was also in attendance, said she thought the play was comical and fun.

“I enjoyed it. I thought it was really comical. I really enjoyed the face of one of the boys in the play,” said the communications study major.

       Beda also pointed out the fact that she liked how the actors engaged the audience.

“I think it was perfect. I liked that they weren’t afraid to walk up on you,” said Beda.

       The plays, which premiered on Halloween, ran through November 3 and will run again from Nov. 7 to 10 in the theater of the Donald Savage Building. Tickets are on sale both at the Campbell Student Union and Rockwell Hall, as well can be purchased an hour before the show.