LU News

Coffeehouse 2.0

March 29, 2010

Liberty's internet-themed Coffeehouse 2.0 was packed with talented and hilarious performances, along with thousands of students to view the awesome show. It took place in the Vines Center, and, like every Coffeehouse at Liberty, there were few empty seats in the huge arena.

I guess you could say I'm a veteran coffeehouse viewer (being a fifth year senior), and I have to say that this was my favorite one yet. All of the performers are always talented, but this year had more amusing acts than usual. Not that the people who play instruments or sing a slow song that I've never heard of aren’t great, but I don't enjoy them as much as some of the more lively and funny acts. Coffeehouse 2.0 had performance after performance with either a funny act or video or a well-known song that the whole crowd was able to sing along to, making it the most entertaining coffeehouse since I've been at Liberty.

My favorite performance of the night was the dance by "The Bag Ladies" in which the girls wore colorful spandex bag suits and danced to popular songs such as Beyonce's "Single Ladies" and the American Idol hit "Pants on the Ground." The dance moves were good, but the suits made the act funny as well. You are probably wondering what in the world I mean by a "spandex bag suit," so stop wondering and check out the video on here. It's awesome. Another crowd favorite was the Disney medley by "Aladdin's African Mermaids." Can you guess what three movies they sung songs from? Yep, they performed hits from the movie Aladdin, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. It amused me that the crowd, myself included, enjoyed this musical performance more than any of the others who played current hits. I guess nothing can really top Disney. That crowd-pleasing performance can also be viewed on here.

I vote this year's Coffeehouse 2.0 a complete success! To see many more amazing performances from this spring's coffeehouse, go to youtube.com and type in "Liberty Coffeehouse 2.0."

Julie Celano

0
Comments



Living Water

March 29, 2010

Wednesday’s convocation speaker made the cross-country trip to Lynchburg all the way from California. Pastor John Ortberg of Menlo Park Presbyterian Church spoke to the student body March 24 with an encouraging message on contentment.

Starting from a passage in John 7, Pastor Ortberg used the historical context of the Feast of Tabernacles to illustrate the need for contentment in Christ. The Feast of Tabernacles in Jewish history, Ortberg said, built up to a final day when the high priest took a pitcher and poured the water out at the altar in the Temple. It was at this time, many theologians speculate, that Jesus stood up and said to the crowds, “If anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (v. 37-38)

“There is a God, and it is not you,” said Ortberg. “You are God’s project.” Ortberg defined for the students the common cycle of guilt that many people put themselves through in ‘trying’ to serve God. “We have to know the difference between training and trying. To train means I arrange my life around those activities that I cannot do by directive.”

Contentment, Ortberg explained, comes from the ‘living water’ flowing within the believer. God alone can satisfy discontent and frustration, even when the world says we need more. “Hurry will keep you from the peace of God. You can’t ‘try’ to be patient.” He said.

Pastor Ortberg answered the question of how to keep oneself aware and submitted to the Spirit in order to have the rivers of living water. He said, “We go into strict training to gain a crown of eternal life ... as you go through life, you will make many wrong turns. God will always bring you home by his grace.”

Phylicia Duran

0
Comments



Wind Ensemble Concert

March 29, 2010

Thursday night, March 25, was a night of excitement for the members of the 2010 Liberty University Wind Ensemble as they performed their last concert of the year at Towns Auditorium. The concert consisted of eight songs that were both classic and contemporary.

October, a slow passionate piece by Eric Whitacre, captured the mood of fall with its smooth musical tones. Another piece, Radiant Joy, is a 2007 work written by Steven Bryant. This bright musical piece consists of 70's and 80's fusion mixed with jazz. The title of the piece, Radiant Joy, truly is a good description of the mood it brings to its listeners. Various other songs performed were Masque by Kenneth Hesketh, Profanation from Jeremiah, Symphony No. 1 by Leonard Bernstein and The Engulfed Cathedral by Claude Debussy.

The most memorable song of the evening was Angels in the Architecture, which portrayed a dramatic dual between good and evil. The song is meant to represent a story of a conflict between an angel and a demon in an old Cathedral. In parts of the piece that represent the angel, members of the ensemble used “whirlies”, which are long tubes that are spun above their heads like lassos to create a whistling wind sound.

The night was ended by the playing of the classic hymn 'Be Thou my Vision' and on the last chorus, the ensemble sang together.

Throughout the evening, the director, Dr. Kerr, proudly paid tribute to the senior members of the ensemble who were taking part in their last concert performance. The Wind Ensemble will play for the very last time at this year's graduation ceremony. But if you're interested in hearing more, keep your eyes open for their CD that will be released soon!

Jane Marczewski

0
Comments



An Inspector Calls

March 29, 2010

This past weekend, March 26-28 was the debut of the Liberty Theatre Department production of An Inspector Calls.

The intriguing drama takes place in the house of the British upper-class Birling family. A celebratory dinner for their daughter Sheila’s engagement is interrupted by the appearance of Inspector Goole, a mysterious detective investigating the suicide of a young woman.

The foreboding inspector is a man on a mission and he meticulously dissects the family with pointed questions and almost divine insight. The only certainty in this murder mystery is nothing is as it seems and no one is who they appear to be.

Slowly, the intrigue and scandal unravel along with a challenge to love thy neighbor no matter who he or in this case, she, may be.

This is not a play built on feel-good song and dance numbers like many of the LU productions. Instead, it is a riddle of dialogue, gestures and facial expressions.

At first, I found myself getting bored with the small number of characters and one-room scene. But then I grew fascinated by the changing landscape of character as developments and revelations peeled back masks of the too-perfect family. What first seemed like a lack-luster plot eventually turned complex and provided rich food for thought long after the curtain falls.

I applaud the actors who captured their British accents and mannerisms almost flawlessly. They also played their ages well, with the parents’ distinguished airs setting them apart from the ‘kids’. The costume design of rich silks and patterns helped give the set an aristocratic air and the lighting and sound effects added ominous undertones to the play.

All in all, I say spot on, jolly good, brilliant and all those other British compliments to the cast and crew. Another job well done by LU’s stellar Theatre Department.

For tickets to the remaining performances of An Inspector Calls, call (434) 582-2085 or visit the Box Office located in the Performing Arts Hallway.

Angelica Atkins

0
Comments



Open Mic Night

March 10, 2010

Students filled the Tilley Student Center to watch performances during Open Mic Night on Monday. The night featured talented students showing off their skills in various mediums. From comedy and poetry to rap and acoustic covers, the stage showcased a plethora of artistry.

Some of the nights performances included:

Musical Duo Keagan and Rachel covering Beyonce's Irreplacable

Guitar soloist Zack Cox covering Dave Barne's Sticks and Stones

Duo Crystal and Olivia with the Christian version of Kesha's Tik Tok. Lyrics included, "Tik Tok on the clock, Jesus is my Solid Rock."

Guitar duo Benny and Joel lead the audience in some worship tunes.

Poet Nina entertained the crowd with a poem she wrote titled "I'm Black."

The night was filled with cheering, talent and free mugs (each performer received a free LU mug courtesy of Student Activities). For more information about events put on by Student Activities visit www.ultimatelu.com.

- Jake Ford

0
Comments



<< PREVIOUS PAGE
NEXT PAGE >>