<h2> Curtis Mayfield cover makes student $100 richer</h2>
<h3> Joud Bayeh</h3>
For a few students, $100 was enough to conquer their stage fright and take the University Club’s open mic.
Held on Tuesday, Jan. 29 and sponsored by the Student Activities Council (SAC), the first Open Mic Night of the semester featured six performers. Each act competed for the $100 prize.
About 50 people attended the event and watched many musical performances, including several acoustic versions of famous songs by the bands Evanescence, Green Day, The Beatles and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. The night also featured an Indian bamboo instrumental performance by Collin Joy, junior in automotive engineering, as well as a stand-up comedy act by Anthony Groves, junior in physical education.
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PSU student Cory Kiesling performs Blackbird by The Beatles at the open mic night Jan. 29.
The audience members voted on the best act after all performers were done by texting their choice to SAC event organizers. Anna Hautaniemi, Finnish exchange student in music education, won for her rendition of “People Get Ready” by singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield.
Hautaniemi says she went there just to sing, and says she wasn’t actively competing.
“I haven’t been performing anything for a long time,” she said.
Gracy Strouse, senior in construction engineering, says that the event attracted some quality performances and that her favorite was Groves’ stand-up act.
“I really enjoyed it because it was able to bring people together and also shows off people’s creativity,” she said. “It was different from the others; he was being himself, not acting.”
Groves says he had fun watching and performing.
“I came out just really to have fun, but it was nice to watch all the other performances,” he said. “I’ll be there the next time and promise to be better.”
Joy says his Indian bamboo flute performance was based on an Oriental theme. “This is … dedicated to the Mother Nature,” he said.
Joy says he participated in a previous Open Mic Night, but never won the prize.
“I am not here for the prize money,” he said. “I am here just for the performance because this music is something new to Pittsburg.”
Hautaniemi says she couldn’t believe she was the winner. She says the acoustic environment and atmosphere of the U-Club are “awesome” to perform at.
“(Winning) was overwhelming,” she said.
Jessica Leone, SAC club entertainment chair and sophomore in business management says the event had a good turnout.
“Our goal was let the people have a good time,” she said, “I think it was successful.”
Leone says that there still are three Open Mic Nights left this semester. The next will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, also at the U-Club of the Overman Student Center.
