CAMPUS WXOU hosts first Open Mic Night BELLA JAVIER Arts Editor
Oakland University’s radio station, 88.3FM WXOU, hosted their very first open mic night on Feb. 2, wherein participants were free to recite poetry, sing or perform stand-up comedy sets. This is just one event WXOU is holding this semester in hopes of expanding its circle. “We wanted to put on more events that involve the community,” WXOU General Manager Logan Pizzuro said. WXOU rallied together a diverse group of students and community members eager to share their creative work with one another, from tear-jerking poetry to rap originals to knee-slapping comedy. According to WXOU’s Programming Assistant, Aniya Gray, another purpose of this event was to provide an environment for everyday people to share their not-so-everyday talent. “We wanted to give the opportunity to [our] students to perform their talent and to show off what the students of Oakland have not seen yet,” Gray said. “We’re so used to having [showcases] for people that are already musically inclined [and such], but we don’t know the people in our everyday lives and the talent they have.” Something that makes open mic nights so special is the act of performing your work live; this requires some amount of confidence — in your work and yourself as an artist — and vulnerability.
Singer-songwriter Maddie Kraemer took open mic as an opportunity to practice performing in front of an audience. “[...] Any chance to perform live is a chance to get better at performing live,” Kraemer said. Kraemer also explained a unique part of open mic events is being able to be in a room full of creatives and the people who support them. This fosters an atmosphere through which art is able to thrive.
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“[Open mic is about] getting to hear everybody’s original ideas and getting to hear what other creatives come up with,” Kraemer said. Not only does open mic provide the opportunity to practice performance skills, but also a space in which participants can do something they’re passionate about. “I thought, ‘this sounds really cool, I haven’t performed in a minute, so why not?,’” Hannah Lesner, who sang an opera solo, shared. ”Open mic, for me, is another chance to do something that I’m passionate about.” WXOU staff members shared they are happy with how their event turned out. With its success, Pizzuro shared another open mic night is most definitely being considered for the future. Additionally, Gray expressed her excitement about what the success of this event communicates to the OU community. “If anything, I’m glad that we [held open mic night], because I think it allows people to be more comfortable in what they want to do [with respect to] what their creative talents are,” Gray said. “They’re allowed to express themselves, and that’s what we want to showcase to everybody: you can be yourself around us and be comfortable.” In case you missed it, WXOU is hoping to hold another open mic event next fall. If you can’t wait until then, you can stay involved with WXOU at their next event, Throwback Thursday Night, happening Feb. 16 in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms.
SPB’s Casino Night offers games, prizes and crafts PAYTON BUCKI Campus Reporter
In true Las Vegas fashion, Oakland University students pushed their luck at SPB’s Casino Night on Feb. 4. The Oakland Center (OC) was transformed into a Vegas-themed speakeasy, complete with casino games, activities and complimentary refreshments, while semi-formal dress was encouraged. Attendees were welcomed to the event by SPB representatives offering free SPB Casino Night merchandise. Current OU students were also provided a cup of starter chips for use at the gambling stations. The Ballrooms of the OC held a variety of games, including poker, blackjack, let it ride and roulette. Chip-holders were invited to participate by placing “bets.” “As a first-year student, it was incredible to see the OC transformed into a casino,” freshman Juliann Derr said. “All of the lights, chips and formally-dressed dealers made the experience very immersive. It was really fun to learn all of the games for the first time.” Players looking for a high-risk, high-return game were invited to try out the High Rollers Lounge. This section required an entry “fee,” but carried the potential for a large payout. Chips earned throughout the night could be exchanged for tickets, which were used for raffle prizes. The large variety of prizes included a
Victrola Record Player, a Nespresso Machine, AirPod Pros, a PS5 and more. Besides the casino games, there were an array of other activities to participate in throughout the night. The Gold Rooms held arcade games and mocktails, a relaxing environment that provided a break from the high-intensity betting games. The “Elvis” movie was also shown on the Habitat’s big screen. Interactive pop-ups were stationed throughout the main floor of the OC. These activities — which included glass painting, airbrushed t-shirts, caricatures, bent metal sculptures and personalized plushies — allowed students to create personalized, take-home trinkets. Complimentary food service was provided, with a buffet offering nachos, bosco sticks, salad and hamburger sliders. Ice cream freezers and a cotton candy station lined the food court, satisfying those with a sweet tooth. “It was so much fun to see all of my friends dressed up for Casino Night,” freshman Maggie Quinn said. “We had a great time playing poker, making stuffed animals and enjoying delicious food.” At the end of the night, students gathered in the ballrooms to await the raffle prize announcements. During this time, an Elvis impersonator sang songs for the audience. Then, mentalist performer Tom Kennedy took the stage, awing spectators with mind games and magic tricks. As the semester continues to progress, SPB continues to entertain students. For the month of
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February, SPB will be hosting its Coffeehouse Series in the OC Habitat. On Feb. 13, pop violinist T-Ray will take the stage, with Spoken Word Artist Kyla Jenee Lacy visiting campus the following week. On April 5, SPB will host their annual Drag Queen Bingo, featuring Naysha Lopez. At this event, students will have the opportunity to win prizes whilst enjoying a live drag performance. To learn more about SPB, visit their GrizzOrgs page. Timely event updates can also be found on the organization’s Instagram page, @spbou.