Sights and sounds of the 2011 Winter Carnvial

Orange Crush
by Deirdre Sackett, Arts Editor

On Thursday, Feb. 17, the McCullough Social Space was filled with bright neon leggings, copious amounts of spandex and vibrant glowsticks as Orange Crush kicked off the first night of the College’s 88th Annual Winter Carnival. The ’80s cover band is a traditional Winter Carnival event, and is known to draw a large and enthusiastic crowd. Like in previous years, the venue was sold out by the time the doors opened.
After enjoying the night’s previous events, students arrived in McCullough in their best 80s regalia — colorful high-tops, neon tights and huge plastic sunglasses, among other stereotypical and overt fashions of the decade. Whether it was the earlier bonfire and fireworks, the sheer ridiculousness of their outfits or the unexpectedly warm evening weather, student energy was high throughout the performance. Even though a majority of those in attendance were not even born in the 1980s, their appreciation and love of the decade’s music was evident.
Backed by guitarist Jeremy Simonich, bassist Rich Yirga and drummer Tom Kielbania, Jr., lead vocalist Scott Lawson belted out ’80s classics such as Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” Ah-Ha’s “Take On Me,” The B-52’s “Love Shack” and Men Without Hats’ “Safety Dance.” The night was filled with only the best of the 1980s — except for the performance’s intermission, during which modern music was played over the speakers. It was interesting to notice that students who were once happily dancing away to Madonna and Talking Heads suddenly seemed to lose interest when typical party favorites like Lady Gaga or the Black Eyed Peas came on. However, the audience’s energy quickly returned as soon as Lawson took to the stage once more to finish off the night with the likes of U2, Queen and The Ramones.
Even though they are known on campus as a staple of Winter Carnival, Orange Crush is nationally renowned as well. They have toured a majority of the central and southern United States, and have even opened for big names such as Reel Big Fish, OK Go! and Guster. Founded in 1996, Orange Crush initially started off as a R.E.M. tribute band, but soon discovered that interest in R.E.M. was waning. In 2000, the band decided to change its theme to a general 1980s cover band.
Once again, Orange Crush provided a refreshing and lighthearted start to the Winter Carnival festivities. Most importantly, though, the venue fostered the sense of community and togetherness associated with the Carnival: seeing students coming together to celebrate one of the College’s longest-standing traditions was an even more amazing sight than the vibrant sea of glowsticks and neon pulsating on the dance floor.

John Mulaney
by Santiago Azpurua-Borras, Staff Writer

If there is something the College pulls off well to entertain its students, it is the quality of comedians brought to entertain our usually exhausted minds. Comedians Shang Wang and John Mulaney are no exception to this.
The second night of the Winter Carnival was a hilarious one as students packed into the McCullough Social Space for the sold-out event on Feb. 18. The night began with comedian Shang Wang who shared his exploits of getting older, his love life and his home life in Chinatown, NY. After warming up the audience quite nicely, Wang then handed the show over to the main act, John Mulaney.
Mulaney, a writer for Saturday Night Live, has appeared on television shows such as Conan, Jimmy Kimmel and VH1’s Best Week Ever. He has a very comical voice that projects well, and he really knows how to lay down emotion and dramatization in his delivery. He was not afraid to get dirty in certain moments of his set, and while this is not my favorite kind of humor, it definitely mixed things up in a positive manner.
His jokes’ subjects included topics such as unfortunate visits to the doctor’s office, college party shenanigans and his terrifying friend Adam who has a knack for stealing family portraits from strangers’ homes because “It’s the one thing that can’t be replaced.”
Mulaney is a great performer, with a seemingly endless supply of wit. I would be more than okay if the school ever decided to bring him back, although I must also agree that variety is the spice of life.
Much to the delight of the audience, Mulaney also poked fun at both the College and its students. He would often ask the crowd, “What is there to do for fun on campus on a Friday night?” Every single time, he got the same collective answer — silence, followed by what I can only describe as desperate laughter.

Ice Show
by Amanda Pertierra, Arts Editor

Skaters galore took to the rink Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 for the Winter Carnival Ice Show, a collaborative effort between the College’s figure skaters and the Figure Skating Club for children of faculty and staff.
This year’s theme, “Skate, Rattle and Roll,” took its inspiration from an old trunk of records one of the organizers discovered in grandma’s attic, and featured such a diverse array of throwbacks as the Charleston, Gene Kelly’s “Good Morning,” Dick Tracy’s theme, Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock,” the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” excerpts from the E.T. soundtrack and Madonna’s “Material Girl.”
By the program’s end, audience members felt they had toured this century’s musical highlights, ending with Lady Gaga’s “Telephone.” Announcer Dave Sears assured us it was a classic in the making.
Surprises included a live performance of the Bobolinks’ “Fireflies” accompanied by the whirling, twirling know-how of some of the College’s best skaters. Solos were performed by Hilary McReynolds ’11, Todd Langstaff ’13, Kendall Wyckoff ’14.5, Hilary Crew ’13, Shannon Fiedler ’14 and Kelly Slentz ’11.
Guest skaters Gretchen Donlan and Andrew Speroff broke up the program with two highly contrasting pieces showcasing their pairs abilities. Donlan and Speroff made their Senior Pairs debut at this year’s U.S. Figure Skating Championship, and are hoping to participate in the 2014 Olympics.
Still, brush with celebrity aside, the tribute to the Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” could not fail to warm hearts, as parents and children took to the ice together.  The piece stands out as a reminder of the collaboration between parents, coaches and students ­— of the College and the town both — that make this program possible each year.