Newsfeed
Printer-Friendly ModeCage hosts first event of semester
Students fill up on coffee, tea, and local music
September 10, 2007 —
Wednesday, Sept. 5, marked the start of this year's Coffeehouse Series. The Coffeehouse Series is a twice-monthly event hosted by Program Board where students can lounge in the Cardinal Cage and watch local talent perform.
Though there was much controversy over the division of space between Independent Bank and the Cage, students and performers alike welcomed the change in relation to the setup of the Series.
"The Cardinal Cage is more cozy and welcoming and has a better seating arrangement," said sophomore Alexis Grunwell, who also helped to organize last year's inaugural event.
Members of D.S. and the Flat Five, said that "the stage lets you be closer with the audience and feels more like a coffee house."
The show lasted approximately two hours. The first hour was reserved for two scheduled performances and the second hour was an open mic format where students were allotted a 15-minute period to showcase their talent. For this past show SVSU hosted Nathan Bade and D.S. and the Flat Five as the main acts. A few students braved the stage for open mic, including comedian DeAubrey Smith and musician Paul Logghe.
According to President of Progam Board Crystal Dillard, the Coffeehouse Series began in November 2006 as a result of a major Program Board conference. They wanted to host a beneficial, community-building activity and noticed from past events and other University programs that any event involving music was highly successful. According to Dillard, Program Board wanted to put their own twist on the event.
"We decided to promote the SVSU students that are so talented instead of hiring expensive professional entertainers," she said.
The program's kickoff seemed to accomplish Program Board's goal of a community-building activity. Students and performers mutually supported each other.
"I chose two popular sing-along songs because I wanted to make this a crowd experience. It's all about what people get out of your music," said Logghe, who performed "Soco Amaretto Lime" by Brand New and "Hey There, Delilah" by Plain White T's during open mic.
Attendee and performer DeAubrey Smith was also very supportive. "My roommate and I just came to support everybody performing. Also, my being a theatre major, I'm sure I'll be doing many things here, so I hope people will support me in the end too."
Dillard also added "The crowd this performance is very receptive and respectful to the performers. They are really getting into it."
The next show in the Coffeehouse Series will be Wednesday, September 19 in the Cardinal Cage.
The Coffeehouse Series is scheduled for two Wednesdays a month until final exams week.