ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 6 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM Styles hosts local concert, draws OBU crowd

BY EMILEE WEBB

Staff Writer

Harry Styles, a popular pop artist, held a concert at Simmons Bank Arena in Little Rock, Ark. on Nov. 24. This show was a part of his tour titled “Love on Tour,” during which the singer traveled across the United States from Sept. 4 to Nov. 28. The show in Little Rock was not originally on the schedule of the tour. It was added to the lineup of shows in October, causing a large wave of excitement and a rush for tickets. Many students attended the concert and enjoyed a night of singing, dancing and bonding over music.

When the extra show of the tour was announced, Ouachita’s campus was abuzz with talk of the concert. Finding tickets was the first step of attending the big night. Many students sat in the Evans Student Center together waiting for the exact moment that tickets went on sale. The thrill of receiving concert tickets was a reality for many students, and social media was filled with photos of students expressing their eagerness to see Styles.

After acquiring tickets, more preparations were in order. Students across campus hurried to find outfits, compare ideas with friends and finalize all their plans for the big night. Throughout the tour, fun, vibrant outfits have been the norm. The Arkansas show was certainly no exception to this.

“I loved seeing people’s fashion choices and I had so much fun putting my outfit together,” sophomore Brennon Humphry said. “Fashion is really important to me, and Harry gave his fans permission to push the boundaries and wear something really fun.”

On the night of the show, fans were captivated by Styles’ lively performance. He sang many of his biggest hits including “Watermelon Sugar” and “Adore You” from his newest album. There were also a few surprises in store for the crowd. Styles shocked fans by partaking in the Arkansas tradition of calling the Hogs and performing a fan favorite song, “Medicine.” Ouachita students were pleased to experience it all, and these moments were remembered as the highlights of the night.

“I saw Harry in St. Louis in September and then again at the Little Rock show. I had so much more fun at the Little Rock show because there really wasn’t anything like seeing Harry in my home state,” sophomore Clara Beth Hill said. “Some highlights of the night for me were hearing Harry call the Hogs, and as a Harry fan, I was really excited that he played ‘Medicine’ because that’s a song he only plays live.”

Sophomore Anna Marie Plastiras experienced the show from the pit, and says that the show is something she will always remember.

“Being able to be in a room full of 20,000 other people who love the same music as you is unlike anything else. I got to meet people from all over the country while in the Cherry Pit, and being able to connect with them over Harry was so amazing,” Plastiras said.

A sense of community bonded the crowd, especially since the COVID has halted the production of live concerts for the past year. Opportunities to attend concerts have become even more special in this regard. Fans of all ages are bonding over the immersive experience of listening to live music.

“When Harry announced he was coming to Little Rock, I knew that I had to be there,” sophomore Brynn Clark said. “Getting to experience the atmosphere of people who were just so grateful to be there made it unforgettable. It felt like we were all friends from the minute we walked into the venue, and I couldn’t have had a better time,” Clark said.

Festival of Christmas rings in holiday season

BY WYATT ASHLOCK

Arts/Entertainment & Opinions Editor

The temperature was 70 degrees outside, the Evans Student Center was decked out in lights and the Christmas buffet lunch was served, which left the Festival of Christmas (FOC) to ring in the holiday spirit on campus. FOC proved to be a fun way to usher in the Christmas season for the Ouachita community as well as audience members from the local area.

Several people led the production of this year’s show. Dr. Joshua Brown served as musical director, Dr. Natilan Crutcher directed the Women’s Chorus, Stephanie Murray served as stage director and alumna Abby Shourd choreographed for the lead dancers of the program: the movers and shakers.

“I didn’t have my senior year Festival of Christmas due to the pandemic, so it felt like I was robbed of that,” Shroud said. “But working with the dancers has been an amazing experience. I hope this year especially, we start people’s Christmas season off right and bring them joy, hope and a good time.”

A highlight of this year’s FOC was that almost half of the music performed was new to the show. Some of the new songs came from well-known and well-loved Christmas movies like “Elf” (2003) and “The Polar Express’’ (2004).

Along with the new additions, the choirs still performed some of the songs that have become tradition in the production.

“It’s very important to continue tradition,” Brown said. “It’s a uniquely Ouachita musical experience in terms of excellent singing, dancing and performance. Anyone can come to the Festival of Christmas and enjoy it.”

One song that particularly impressed audience members was “Little Drummer Boy.” The choirs and the drum band collaborated to put on a spectacle with interactive lighting throughout the song to create an immersive experience.

In between the secular and sacred portions of FOC, dancers from the local dance studio, Dance Praize, performed. This provided the perfect segue.

FOC also had some surprise guests including Santa Claus, Santa’s Elves, Frosty the Snowman and Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. The production was a magical experience and had over 1,000 people in attendance.

“I’m really grateful to Nick Smith and the JPAC crew for all that they did to make this event happen,” Brown said. “And I want to thank Stephanie Murray for making everything look amazing. I am also really grateful to my instrumental colleagues and those students who [participated] with us in a different way this year.”

Top Left: Kenzie Burks performs “The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” (photo by Brooks Bell) Top Right: Santa Claus makes an appearance in the program. (photo by Brooks Bell) Bottom: Mary and Joseph celebrate the birth of Jesus (photo by Stephanie Murray)