The second floor of Russell House went from a place not only to eat, but to sing during Carolina Production’s karaoke event on Nov. 27.
Students and staff participated in and listened to others performing songs of their choosing. Strobe lights and loud speakers enhanced the lively feel of a typical karaoke event feels.
“It was so much fun,” Fay Hussain, a first-year pharmacy student said after singing Ariana Grande's “God is a Woman." “A lot of times I'll just jam out and sing along with my sisters in the kitchen, so it was nice to have, you know, an audience of more than just my mom.”
From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., students sang a variety of songs, from Christmas music to crowd favorites such as “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne. Performers tended to be very interactive with the crowd, who, in response, typically sang along and made the night feel like more than just a normal Tuesday night for attendees.
“We have a lot like returning people who come and sing at every single show,” said Devin Vest, a second-year media arts student. “They're very interactive and always choose the most interesting songs to sing.”
Will Stallings has been singing at karaoke since the beginning of his first year at USC.
“Just throw yourself in there,” the second-year political science student said. “Just do it. Like nobody cares, you’re just messing around, having fun, singing something you like. It’s literally indulging a pleasure.”
A new addition to karaoke was a genre-themed wheel that one could spin to give their song of choosing a bit of direction. Students advantage of this and performed songs from a variety of decades.
“I’m excited for the wheel for sure,” Vest said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever done it, so I’m hoping people kind of get interactive with that.”
The karaoke event even had some of the Russell House staff on their feet dancing during their shifts.
“A lot of people sing,” Oath Pizza employee Carol Blanding said. “The kids enjoy it, they love it, the staff love it … I love it.”