Friday night Pepperdine will host an evening celebrating students’ talents as Intercultural Affairs the Student Programming Board (SPB) and the Black Student Association (BSA) team up to present “A Night of Soul.”
The Coffeehouse original showcase at the Sandbar will display some of the artistic skills of Pepperdine’s black community including songs spoken words poems instrumentation and much more.
All participating artists had to audition to perform for the showcase and those selected represent a variety of talents.
Some artists will bear their souls though the expression of original poems while others will display their talents by singing covers of songs by artists such as Alicia Keys Adele and Smokey Joe’s Cafe. The event will also feature an instrumental tribute to Michael Jackson. The showcase gives performers the chance to sing a style not well-represented at other Coffeehouses.
One student performer junior Erika Varela is excited to sing jazz music. “It gives me the opportunity when other Coffeehouses don’t cater for it she said.
Varela will sing a cover of Billie Holiday’s God Bless the Child.” She said she hopes to keep the spirit of old jazz singers alive in her performance.
Varela knows that music is an art form that’s lessons are timeless. “Sometimes you have a lot; sometimes you don’t Varela said, but it’s uplifting.” She aims to share this knowledge through song for all those in attendance.
The event will offer a combination of classic soul music and a twist on more modern music. “Since it is Black History Month we’re trying to perform and educate students on black culture— but in a fun way Tai Hanson, Vice President of BSA and lead coordinator for A Night of Soul said.
This event is not the first time BSA has hosted Coffeehouse.
We used to have Coffeehouses a lot Hanson said. But we have stepped away from that because of the image it was creating.”
Hanson explained that this image was considered sloppy because of the previous lack of organization which detracted from the true meaning of what soul can contribute to an individual.
Soul is supposed to bring people together but when it is hectic and poorly organized everyone is less apt to move as one.
However by stepping back and addressing past problems BSA hopes to present “A Night of Soul” as a fun and successful event. “We feel like it is now classy Hanson said. The event is not only the product of dedication from students like Hanson, but also that of the organizations that have worked alongside them. When it comes down to it, though, A Night of Soul” is a completely student-focused production.
“The ICA works side-by-side in working these events but students do most of the work Mark Cruz, Intercultural Student Organization Liaison, said. Students… like Tai are the major force to putting them together.”
Students either coordinating or performing are the real reason events like “A Night of Soul” succeed. Without their contributions none of these events would be possible. And while artists feed students’ soul the Board will be feeding their stomachs. SPB is contributing to the event by working to involve as much of the student body as possible and providing refreshments for the night.
“We are dedicated to contribute to Black History Month Kiersten Dunn, the Board’s Coffeehouse Chair, said. It’s the perfect opportunity to help. We’re giving the funds in order to provide for refreshments … [such as] coffee [and] hot chocolate.”
“A Night of Soul” will take place tomorrow at 8 p.m. in the Sandbar. Admission and refreshments are free.
