Entertainment
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E BAT
The Battalion
Page 6A • Thursday, April 15,|
Showing it off
Aggie talents to share the stage to impress peers and family at MSC Variety Sh
By Robert Saucedo
THE BATTALION
Last year, while Justin Huggins, now a freshman biomedical
engineering major, was contemplating his final choice of colleges,
he visited Texas A&M. What started out as a casual trip ended up in
a life-changing decision.
A senior at John Tyler High School, Huggins traveled to College
Station during Parents’ Weekend at Texas A&M a year ago in order
to support a friend in the Memorial Student Center Variety Show.
What he got out of the trip was not what he expected.
“My friend, Mark Manglicmot. was performing with the Texas
A&M Philippine Student Association in a modern hip-hop dancing
team,” Huggins said.
While the variety show wasn't the only factor in his decision,
Huggins said it played a role in his final choice among colleges.
“As a senior in high school, the variety show was a unique oppor
tunity for a one-weekend event that not only showed the talent on
campus, but showcased the diverse interests of the student body,"
Huggins said. “It was a key deciding factor in my options.”
The MSC Variety Show is a student-run talent show that takes
place every year during Parents’ Weekend. A&M students compete
for a chance to take home one of three awards and the glory of being
recognized for their talent.
Kiliette LeBlanc, a senior political science major and executive
director of the MSC Variety Show, said she hopes that when stu
dents are deciding which events to take their parents to during
Parents' Weekend, they choose a little variety.
“The MSC Variety Show has been going on for 40 years,”
LeBlanc said. “Since the variety show has been around for so long,
it’s pretty much set in stone. It’s entertaining and anyone (can)
enjoy it.”
LeBlanc said the final selection process of performers is
streamlined.
“We have an audition process.” LeBlanc said. “Forty acts apply
over three days and we select nine. It’s pretty intense."
A volunteer judge panel of students without ties to the variety
show chooses the acts that will compete in the final show. The top
nine performers will compete Friday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. in
Rudder Auditorium.
Autumn Holcomb, a senior journalism major and director of acts,
has been involved with the variety show for three years. Holcomb
joined MSC Town Hall, the organization in charge of the event, her
sophomore year.
“My roommate performed in the variety show and it was awe
some,” Holcomb said. “I joined Town Hall the next year and knew
that 1 had to be involved with the variety show.”
Holcomb said every year’s variety show is different.
“People graduate and new people come in,” Holcomb said. “We
(even) have a mariachi band this year.”
LeBlanc said she agrees with Holcomb.
“This year’s acts have a lot of diversity,” LeBlanc said. “In the
past we’ve had too many acoustic acts. This year we have a lot of
different (performers).”
Even though this year’s lineup contains a mariachi band and a
reggae band, Holcomb said the school's recent emphasis on cultur
al diversity has no effect on determining what acts will perform. But
since the performances cater to the Aggie audience, the performers
are all Aggies.
“The show is culturally diverse but we ( don’t set out) for it to
be." Holcomb said. “It comes to us. That's just the way it always
turns out.”
Even though the show is live, Holcomb said Aggies shouldn’t
expect any “wardrobe malfunctions” or other unannounced shenani
gans during the show.
“The acts have to audition with the exact show that they’re going
to do,” Holcomb said. “We’ve never had anything odd the three
years I've been involved.”
LeBlanc said the variety show takes place during Parents’
Weekend for spcecific reasons.
“During Parents’ Weekend, we have a lot of people on campus,"
LeBlanc said. “Because it’s a talent show, the event is more family-
oriented then other events. People’s families and parents are more
likely to come to the event than the average college student. The
money raised w ill act as a fundraiser for Town Hall."
Holcomb said the show tries to be a way for parents to connect
with their childrens’ Aggie community.
“Because it takes place during Parents’ Weekend, we are
always competing with other things,” Holcomb said.
“We're here for the parents to watch their kids per-
form. They'll be able to see what’s happening
on campus. Most of the time on the A&M Jr/
campus the shows are really directed to one
particular audience or another.”
Now almost Finished w ith his freshman year.
Huggins is content with his choice to come to
A&M and plans to attend the Variety Show again
this year.
“I enjoyed the show (last year)," Huggins said.
“It was interesting to see other people’s pursuits of
their interests and their desire to express various new
interests.”
This year's lineup includes the Aggie Wranglers,
Mountain Aire. Institution Soul. Gabe & Taylor. Lindsey Kane,
Micah Sims, Aggies in Motion Dance Team. Mariachi Audios de
Oro and Mourning After. The show- will be hosted by Freudian
Slip and will feature special performances by the Singing Cadets
and Percussion Studio. Tickets are currently on sale for $8 at the
MSC Box Office.
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