Sigma Alpha Iota spreads love

The Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women hosted their annual “Love/Hate” program at the MLK Catholic Center on last Thursday.
The program featured a variety of songs and poems showcasing themes of love and heartbreak. “Welcome to the Love Fest”, an original piece written and performed by the ladies of Sigma Alpha Iota, was the opening performance of the night as everyone took their seats.
The classic Jazz/Poetry club setting offered reserved table seating for couples front and center. Refreshments like chocolate covered strawberries were given, as a late nod to Valentine’s Day.
“I wanted everyone to come out and have a good time, listen to some good poetry and music, and enjoy some great food,” said Amber Hasley, a member of the organization and a performer. “Being on stage is natural to me and I believe that’s where I belong,” saying the feeling of being on stage, “…making people feel exactly what I am singing about makes me feel good.”
Many other members performed that night, as well as people outside the organization, like first time performer Ayana Joseph.
“It actually felt kind of good, my friends were behind me so I felt confident with them here,” Joseph stated about her first time reading her poetry on stage. “I had a hard time with somebody I was in love with. I realized that the poems I wrote about him were good and that they could be worth something someday.”
The crowd showed great support for her as well as for the other performers. Brandy Haydel, a sociology major from New Orleans, who also recited an original poem, was a crowd pleaser, especially to those whom heard her speak before.
“It feels absolutely amazing, I honestly can’t get enough of performing. It’s everything to me and it makes me feel loved and appreciated,” Haydel stated about being on stage.
“I wrote some of this back in high school and I have always wanted to write outside my element and it went better than I could have ever imagined that it would,” said Haydel when asked about her poetry. “This organization is wonderful and every time that they have this program I perform in it and (it) gets better and better each year. Also I feel if I can touch just at least one person, then I have done what I was sent here to do.”
Marckel Walker, a criminal justice major from Mobile, Ala., also performed singing a song by J. Holiday.
“I do this on a regular basis so it felt good to do this, I’m just starting to get out there around campus and I was asked to this so it was my pleasure.” Walker stated.