Soiree draws crowds
Michael Blank
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Arts
The stage lights shimmered and the big band struck up a tune as couples took to the dance floor at the Winter Soirée on Friday in McNamara Rehearsal Hall. The Soirée was sponsored by Hillsdale College's Circle K Club, Whitely Residence and the Hepcats Swing Club.
In addition to swing dancing and the music of the Hillsdale College Big Band, the Soirée featured refreshments, a raffle and a vocal performance by a quartet composed of Isaac Johnson, Artyom Chelbayev, Elizabeth Shell and Kayla Hoyt. Erin O'Luanaigh accompanied the Big Band several times, singing such jazz standards as "What a Wonderful World."
The dance came about largely as a result of the efforts of seniors Mary Feeney and Thomas Currey.
Feeney, head Resident Assistant of Whitley, said she wanted to put on a dance for Whitley's social event this semester. Currey, president of Circle K, was simultaneously planning a Circle K-sponsored dance to earn money for Habitat for Humanity.
"We both needed to have a dance and we both wanted it on the same night," Feeney said. "We decided to combine our events."
Thus the Soirée doubled as Whitley's social event and Circle K's fundraiser.
Circle K is the collegiate affiliate of Kiwanis, an international club that seeks to serve the children of the world. Each Michigan Circle K has a fundraising goal of $100 to raise for Habitat for Humanity, Currey said. Altogether the Soirée raised $700.25.
"We sold 125 [tickets] ahead of time. I think we had close to 200," Feeney tallied.
Most of the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity directly, though some may go to local Habitat for Humanity projects.
"I'm talking to John Hann[the student coordinator for Habitat for Humanity] to see what they need fulfilled," said Currey.
Currey arranged for the Big Band, in which he plays trumpet, to provide music for the dance. The Hepcats Swing Club provided music when the band was not playing. Saga, Inc. provided the refreshments for the event.
"Saga was really generous in giving us food," Feeney said.
The dance attracted a wide variety of people. In addition to Whitley residents, practiced swing dancers and others, some members of the Hillsdale Community Swing Club attended.
One member of the Hillsdale Community Swing Club, Travis Marshall, attended the Soirée wearing a weathered jean jacket.
"It's pretty good,'' he said of the dance. ''I feel underdressed. I didn't know everyone was going to be in suits."
Overall, Feeney rates the Winter Soirée a success.
"I felt like I could pour a lot of my energy into it because I felt like it was for a good cause," she said.
In addition to swing dancing and the music of the Hillsdale College Big Band, the Soirée featured refreshments, a raffle and a vocal performance by a quartet composed of Isaac Johnson, Artyom Chelbayev, Elizabeth Shell and Kayla Hoyt. Erin O'Luanaigh accompanied the Big Band several times, singing such jazz standards as "What a Wonderful World."
The dance came about largely as a result of the efforts of seniors Mary Feeney and Thomas Currey.
Feeney, head Resident Assistant of Whitley, said she wanted to put on a dance for Whitley's social event this semester. Currey, president of Circle K, was simultaneously planning a Circle K-sponsored dance to earn money for Habitat for Humanity.
"We both needed to have a dance and we both wanted it on the same night," Feeney said. "We decided to combine our events."
Thus the Soirée doubled as Whitley's social event and Circle K's fundraiser.
Circle K is the collegiate affiliate of Kiwanis, an international club that seeks to serve the children of the world. Each Michigan Circle K has a fundraising goal of $100 to raise for Habitat for Humanity, Currey said. Altogether the Soirée raised $700.25.
"We sold 125 [tickets] ahead of time. I think we had close to 200," Feeney tallied.
Most of the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity directly, though some may go to local Habitat for Humanity projects.
"I'm talking to John Hann[the student coordinator for Habitat for Humanity] to see what they need fulfilled," said Currey.
Currey arranged for the Big Band, in which he plays trumpet, to provide music for the dance. The Hepcats Swing Club provided music when the band was not playing. Saga, Inc. provided the refreshments for the event.
"Saga was really generous in giving us food," Feeney said.
The dance attracted a wide variety of people. In addition to Whitley residents, practiced swing dancers and others, some members of the Hillsdale Community Swing Club attended.
One member of the Hillsdale Community Swing Club, Travis Marshall, attended the Soirée wearing a weathered jean jacket.
"It's pretty good,'' he said of the dance. ''I feel underdressed. I didn't know everyone was going to be in suits."
Overall, Feeney rates the Winter Soirée a success.
"I felt like I could pour a lot of my energy into it because I felt like it was for a good cause," she said.
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