Author: Charlotte Strauss Swanson
On Friday night, the Black Student Alliance hosted Apollo Night – a school-wide talent show in Thorne Hall. Gifted musicians, singers, dancers, and poets all showcased their talents on the big stage. They were met with a packed house, a cheering crowd, and many standing ovations throughout the night.
Apollo Night at Oxy is a tribute not only to the countless talents at Occidental, but also to the performers at the Apollo Theater, a historical landmark for African-American musicians and singers. During the Harlem Renaissance, the Apollo Theater in New York fueled and gave rise to black entertainment. It launched the careers of famous performers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and James Brown, and is noted as a legendary house of talent and fame.
Like the actual Apollo Theater, each performance at Oxy’s Apollo Night was unique – from a spoken word performance addressing the objectification of women to the instrumental sounds of Hal and the Bad Seeds to the intricate dance done to “Jai Ho”.
Although there was a diversity of acts, most performers had already appeared onstage last semester during Taste of Oxy. The majority of the show consisted of the same singers and musicians who were celebrated last fall. However, this is not to say the performances were not full of heart, soul, and talent.
While every act deserved immense applause, there were some outstanding and memorable performances. First-year Juan German choreographed an incredible dance to the ever popular “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire. German, accompanied by four other first-years, brought the rich culture of India to Oxy’s stage.
Ana Vasquez, who sang “Butterflyz” also showcased remarkable talent as an artist. After hitting every note, she received a standing ovation and supportive cries from the crowd.
“Like of the Conchords” by Max Rattner and Josh Wiener, “Let’s Get It On” sung by Emily Isenberg and the Funk Machine, and “Wonder Wall” performed by Brandon Oliva and Derrick Wong also inspired notable applause.Winners were selected by the level of applause received from the audience. When the show came to a close, Ana Vasquez ended up winning over the crowd, and took first place.
“Jai Ho” took a close second: first-years and others stood up and began to shout, “Jai Ho, Jai Ho.” It was clear they, along with many other performers, inspired and moved the audience.
Similar to the original Apollo Theater, Oxy hosted a legendary night. It was not only a fun and exciting way to celebrate Oxy talent, but also a way to honor the singers, dancers, and musicians that originally performed at the Apollo.
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