We Got Skills

Broadside Staff Writer Maria Cianfichi

America's got talent? More like Mason's got talent.

Last Tuesday, students packed into the Student Union Building II ballroom to watch the annual homecoming week talent show.

The talent show, hosted by senior Lee Warner, began with an introduction of the three judges; Katie Murray, assistant director of programs and services, LaMar Rice, resident director of Chesapeake housing area and Key Jones, graduate assistant of fraternity and sorority life.

Kicking off the night was Vincent Lacsamana, who played the guitar and sang a medley of songs by Robin Thicke and Justin Timberlake. Audience members enthusiastically sang along to the JT song and could be heard whispering to one another, “Wow he sounds just like Justin Timberlake!”

Singing popular songs while playing an acoustic guitar seemed to be the most common talent of the night. Second to perform was freshman vocalist major Brandon Showell who sang a crowd-pleasing version of “So Sick” by Ne-Yo.

Eric Vitoff and his blue guitar played an upbeat version of “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay.
“I really liked Eric, he was my favorite performer of the night,” said senior Jessica Monge. “He has a really good voice and could play the guitar really well.”

Alex Young, guitarist and vocalist showed dedication when he performed even when he told the audience that his guitarist backed out at the last minute. Young further explained that he had never played the guitar and sang at the same time.

The audience happily sang along with Young as he played Taylor Swift’s “Love Story.” Vitoff joined in to play the guitar while Young sang Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.”
“It was really nice to be able to get up and help that guy out,” said Vitoff.

Other singers included Marian McLaughlin who performed an original piece titled, “Chronicles of Yarnia,” and Mariam Al-Koshnaw who sang “Killing Me Softly.”
The talent show even welcomed Mason alum, Lady A, who performed two original songs, which are set to appear on her upcoming CD.

Nate Peterson performed a traditional Yugoslavian interpretive dance depicting a hunt and chase. Peterson had great facial expressions and charisma as he interacted with the crew.

“When I point my stick I want you to start my music, not before or after. Thank you, music man,” said Peterson before he began.

While the singers were popular, it was the dancers who took home the awards. Coming in third place was Marice Morales and Juan Zavala who performed a lively salsa dance.

Second place went to Mary Ann Reyes who performed an outstanding hip-hop routine to a mix of four different songs, including the popular, “Just Dance” by Lady Gaga. Her dance began slow and gradually got faster the longer she danced.

First place went to Mason’s first and only hip-hop dance team, Urbanknowlogy 101 who performed a phenomenal routine, keeping the crowd mesmerized with their dance moves.

“It seems as if they could be on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew,” said sophomore Brittany Rouse, who watched Urbanknowlogy perform for the first time.