Talent and dancers capture the Spectacular

Amidst cheering crowds last Friday, April 15, it became clear that the SGR Spectacular, held at Blair every recent year, has found its home at Blair and in the hearts of many Blazers.

With a variety of different performer from the classy string quartet Wolfgang to hardcore punk bands like Outsource and Apollo Creed, the SGR Spectacular managed to have musical variety without sacrificing quality or talent.

The SGR Spectacular was produced this year by SGR members senior Hannah Fegley and sophomores Adam Yalowitz, Saron Yitbarek and Avi Edelman. This year's show brought a total of $900 minus security fees, and co-organizer Yalowitz said that the club will donate the money to schools in El Salvador, some of which were built by SGR members, and to Sudan crisis relief efforts.

Act I

The Spectacular had a rough opening; the Step Team and Squad cancelled their popular performances due to scheduling confusion, and the Spectacular's opening was briefly delayed. Fortunately, the Wolfgang Quartet flew in and saved the rocky beginning. The Spectacular was graced by the Quartet's conservative and classy sound, which was far from the alternative and punk norm usually expected from the SGR Spectacular.

The Vietnamese cultural dancers followed and performed a native dance in Vietnamese dress. A meaningful and well-rehearsed dance may have been seen to be a spiritless and bored dance, though. Regardless of how the dancers may have looked, they performed gracefully and with style.

Later, the Middle Eastern dancers and the Breakdancers blew up the Spectacular stage. The Middle Eastern dancers included young women who dressed in silky reds and golden belts with dangling plates that jingled with every provocative step. The dance was absolutely mesmerizing, a treat for the eyes. It is safe to say that the dancers were the most incredible hip-shaking group of Blazers that performed at the Spectacular that evening -- and perhaps even at Blair.

The Breakdancers' performance was as hip as usual. Juniors Greg Donaldson and Josh Gist highlighted the popular and talented group of young men. Gist's b-boying, a particular dance that precedes breakdancing tricks such as head-spins or windmills, ignited the stage as Donaldson's spectacular, and just about neck-breaking, head-spins galvanized the audience.

Although dancing groups performed outstandingly during the Spectacular, solo performances also worked the event. Senior Stephon Millet exploded onto the stage, dancing to Destiny's Child's "Lose My Breath." Millet's original hip-hop dance number, which took him three weeks to create and rehearse, was well-choreographed and dynamic. The dance was plentiful in hip torques and splits that put Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle to shame.

Solo singers juniors Nathan Blustein, Monique Eldridge and Linda Dye and senior Raymond Aiken also graced the Spectacular with talent. Blustein displayed his musical talents with "Vincent," a Don McClain song which Blustein arranged for piano. Blustein had a well-trained, professional voice that did not lack in heart. Blustein even riled up one audience member to shout, "Sing Boy!"

Aiken and Eldridge both sung soulful tunes; Aiken sung "So High" by John Legend and Eldridge sung "Ready for Love." Eldridge delivered a somber, sweet performance with much tenderness, while Aiken stirred up the Spectacular crowd with his energized performance.

Linda Dye, who performed some Credence Clearwater Revival on her acoustic guitar, chilled out the Spectacular with her soft chord plucking and calm attitude. Dye succeeded in creating a true coffeehouse atmosphere as she strummed her guitar amidst a chill crowd.

Act II

After an intermission filled with strange yet crowd attracting activities, like "SGaRm" (arm) Wrestling, the rockers hit the stage. Jaeggi stood out with former Blazers Daniel Jaeggi and bassist Ben Silsbee, both from the class of 2004. From Outsource, junior Jackson Vassighi's chord plucking and Martin Newman's drum thumping inspired a crowd of spectators to jump up and crowd around the base of the stage. Outsource's ability to rile up such a crowd of tired onlookers made them a highlight of the Spectacular.

Bands like Apollo Creed and Mizilian also rocked out on stage. Sophomore Colin Forhan shouted jumbled vocals, and the band performed some hardcore electric-guitar sessions. Like Mizilian, Apollo Creed burst out on stage and performed good punk music.

Both bands succeeded in ending an altogether entertaining night packed full of rising Blair talent. With a variety of musical and theatrical genres, the SGR Spectacular has now become an established Blair tradition, standing alongside the BNC Shakedown and Blair Fair.