December 14, 2024

BY STEPH SMITH

Students   sang their heart out at the Conestoga Residence and Conference Centre’s karaoke event From 8 to 10 p.m. on Oct. 23, residents had the opportunity to sing their favourite songs, which ranged from Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking Ball, to the viral sensation What Does the Fox Say? by Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis.

Adam Micks-Foa,  a  first-year architecture facilities management student, was first  to  sing.  He chose an ’80s throwback, Maniac by Michael Sembello, from the 1983 film Flashdance, but not without a large number of technical difficulties involving the microphone and computer output to the TV.

“Ten or so starts in and the song still wasn’t playing right, I felt like it wasn’t meant to be,” Micks Foa said. Another minor setback was the event location. The event was to be held in the basement lounge of the building, but a group was using it for presentations still at 8 p.m., so the event was moved to the kitchen, with little notice. However, about 25 residents made it with little difficulty.

“It hasn’t been too bad,” said Beni Briggs, a post-grad project management student and one of the resident advisers organizing the event. “People have mid-terms, but they still came out.”

Briggs said all of the events that residence staff have organized over the last two months have been successful, such as their talent show and speed-friending event. The residents let their inhibitions go and came together to have fun.

“I usually only do karaoke if I have liquid confidence. But if I have my friends around, it’s a lot easier,” Micks Foa said. Kyle Desbois, a first-year business administration accounting student, sang and danced to Lou Bega’s Mambo No. 5 with such energy that the audience couldn’t help but be into the music as well.

“I love doing karaoke. I was in drama for the four years I was in high school. I was involved in all of the productions, whether I was acting or not. I love singing,” Desbois said. Residents could participate in the event at no cost. Pizza and pop were originally offered for a dollar, but were then offered for free, “because we love you guys,” Briggs said.