Karaoke draws stand-out acts

By Dominick Delgadillo
Staff Writer

When City College students want to let loose and have fun, some decide to get on stage and sing along to instrumental tracks of their favorite songs. That’s right, it’s time for some karaoke.

After two sessions of tryouts on Nov. 20 and Nov. 23, the final performance was held on Dec. 5 on Ocean campus. The Diego Rivera Theatre wasn’t as packed as the organizers had hoped, but the crowd of attendees was 100 percent supportive of the participants.

The World Music Club of City College has been putting these performances on for over twenty years. Retired City College music instructor Joshua Law said, “We keep doing this because the students love it.”

Due to budget constraints, the school is no longer able to keep its fund matching policy, which would contribute an equal amount of money to the club as it could raise on its own.

Every semester, the club starts its fundraising efforts early with food sales in Ram Plaza and selling advertising space in the performance brochure.

“The prizes are just incentive. The contest is for fun,” Law said.

Each of the fifteen semifinalists had a unique style. Some contest participants impressed the audience with their singing and dancing. A couple of semifinalists simply sat and serenaded them on the guitar.

The stand-out performances ranged from Jordan Adams’ excited David Bowie to Gustavo Cerritos’ powerful, yet soothing “You Raise Me Up.”

Even the hosts kept the event light and fun with their impromptu banter while announcing each contestant.

After the semifinals, the judges decided that six performers, rather than five, should be given the chance to win the $200 first prize. The final performers were Naid Fung, Fareti Hosea, Cathy Hsieh, Marikita Kreisel, Sidney Sampaio and Gustavo Cerritos.

In the end, it was Marikita Kreisel’s soulful performance of “All By Myself” that won her first place. Sidney Sampaio’s eyes-shut guitar playing, smooth voice, and light-hearted grin landed him second place. Third place went to Cathy Hsieh, whose style can only be likened to her favorite singer, Whitney Houston.

All winners received checks the size of banjos. After the awards, there was a reception in Room 132 of the Creative Arts Building and many praises were given to judges and contestants.

For more live music, Law will be conducting Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at St. Thomas Moore Church on Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. For videos of his past performances visit http://www.youtube.com/user/JoshuaTLaw.