Brenda K. ColwellThe candles were lit, the lights were dim and the stage was set for another open mic night hosted by Campus Activities and Programming Board on Monday night at Grace Hall.
With nearly 45 people in attendance, they came to listen to the four contestants play their original songs and such covers by Tom Petty and Vanilla Ice.
Out of the four contestants there was just one female performer, Jen Davis, a sophomore English and secondary education major. Being the only female, she wanted to show-off her vocals and guitar playing skills in her three original songs, one of which she wrote for her best friend titled, “Today is My Day.”
After her performance, Davis said, “There were a few empty chairs, however the people who showed up had a worthwhile experience.”
Next up were the three boys of the night, Julian Maliszewski, a freshman philosophy major, Ryan Conklin, a senior English and communication major and Chris Sweeney, a junior accounting major.
With Maliszewski playing his guitar with his flip-flops off, Conklin pumping up the crowd with his rendition of “Ice Ice Baby,” and Sweeney using his looper paddle to spice up his sound, the rest of the night pleased those in Grace Hall.
As the last song was finished playing, the judges turned in their votes and the winners were announced. Taking away the $50 second place prize was Davis and winning the $100 first place prize was Conklin.
As Conklin left the stage, Justine Caputi, a freshman elementary and special education major, said, “‘Ice, Ice Baby’ was so unique. You could definitely tell it was his own original song. Great job to him!”
