YOUNG STARS: Black Arts Showcase

On February 15th, the Royal Cotillion Ballroom hosted the annual Black Arts Showcase, featuring numerous acts from all different types of students.
Performances included expressive dances, poetry, and songs by different sororities and fraternities in the area. Some of the acts included songs from the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota, the brothers of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and a strong poetic display by Jeremiah “JC” Cornelius, a senior Mass Communications major from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Coupled with a successful student turnout, this year’s Black Arts Showcase was one of the more soulful events to touch Southern this year.
This year’s Black Arts Showcase had an Apollo-ish feel to it as the young artists took the stage Thursday night.
For acts whose performances shined and connected to the audience, they were awarded with applause. Acts whose performances fell flat however, were rewarded with deafening silence.
With all credit to the performing acts, every sperformance was met with applause at their conclusions.
Some acts, like the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity, stumbled initially, but the talent and experience they have singing together made their overall performance one of the best of the night.
Going as far as to serenade some members of the audience, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia came in and stole hearts with their soulful, quartet-like renditions of classic soul music.
Similarly, the sisters of Sigma Alpha Iota gave a beautiful group performance as well. With solos from multiple different sisters being woven into one artistic performance, the ladies of SAI gave the audience a soothing, yet energetic performance in what was a classic group showcase.
One of the more energetic performances of the night was an outstanding piece of poetic expression from Jeremiah Cornelius. Performing an original piece that he had created prior to the event, Cornelius’ performance showcased a sort of showmanship that is hard to find in younger artists.
“It felt like a good opportunity to show meaningful art, and that was very much evident [in other performing acts]. I just wish more people would have come out.” Cornelius continued on to speak about how it felt to perform his art to his peers, “I was happy to be there. Just to put a face to my work and to show that to the people was satisfying.”
The act that many believed to be the showstopper, however, was an expressive dance from Matthew Fox, a native of Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Kennedie Batiste, a freshman criminal justice major from Lawtell, Louisiana who was in attendance during the performance stated, “His dancing, it was emotional. I felt it”.
The Black Arts Showcase was a success in regards to composition and performances.
As Cornelius alluded, however, the lack of attendance is perhaps the only nitpick voiced by those in attendance. With art and talent in such abundance, many felt as though a greater student presence at such events would only serve to improve the overall quality of the show.