DeKALB — NIU students returned to the stage on Thursday for the second annual student talent showcase in the Holmes Student Center, Duke Ellington Ballroom.
This year, the event was titled Center Stage at Holmes and showcased 12 student performances.
The event opened with Ajani Griffin, a junior general studies major with an emphasis in school counseling, returning as the talent show’s emcee. Throughout the event, Griffin introduced the student performers. He decided to emcee for the talent show again because he wanted to energize his peers and uplift the performers.
“What fueled my fire was being a new member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and I wanted to come back because I know that this is one of my last years,” Griffin said. “I just had to bring the energy in. It was a calling for me to bring energy into the room and uplift the people.”
The talent showcase began with Matt Robinson performing freestyle rap. He asked the audience to participate by suggesting three words he needed to include in his performance. Using the audience’s suggestions, Robinson performed a rap that incorporated the words elephant, rabbit and toys.
Various dance groups performed throughout the show, with Idol Club x Imagen performing a dance cover of Katseye’s “Gabriela,” Celestial Covers dancing to “NOT CUTE ANYMORE” and “Armageddon,” as well as the NIU Burlesque Dance Team who danced in high heels in the style of burlesque.
Eli Huffman, a senior double major in psychology and women, gender and sexuality studies, said they initially felt nervous about performing at the talent show with the NIU Burlesque Dance team but ultimately enjoyed the experience.
“It was definitely scary,” Huffman said. “But, I did have a lot of fun, and I definitely wished we had more opportunities to perform.”
Jonathan Venecia, a senior psychology major, attended the talent show to support his performing friends.
“I decided to come to support my friends,” Venecia said. “I have a lot of friends performing like Celestial Covers, Nam Pham and the Harmelodics. I really thought this was a great event. The acts were great, the emcee was good and the DJ was good. It was a fun event overall.”
Students interested in being involved with the next production of Center Stage at Holmes were instructed to visit a table at the back of the venue. Students can stay updated on future student talent showcases by visiting the Holmes Student Center Instagram account at @hscniu.
