Students offer views of love at Igwe's Love Jones event

By Mary Chamaki

A rhythmic beat ensued as the lights dimmed and the spotlight centered on the open microphone while a crowd of five hundred students watched in anticipation.

The twenty performances showcased throughout the evening, part of the Love Jones event held last Thursday in the Locatelli Center, included poetry, singing, rappers, bands and musicians.

"The variety of artistic talent present gave way to a concrete level of balance between strong messages in poetry while allowing for the featuring of raw talent in through both instrumental and vocal showcasing," said sophomore Jennifer Warren.

Love Jones is held three times a year, with one production put on every quarter. While the previous two quarters' events were co-sponsored by KSCU, the Multicultural Center and the SCR, this spring's event was entirely put together by Igwebuike.

A large amount of planning was necessary for the final production to attain the standard of success seen in previous productions. Co-president Christopher Pascal and members of Igwebuike were appointed to coordinate and recruit performers.

Recruitment began through tabling and advertisement at the end of winter quarter with auditions open to any act that wanted to participate. A cast of twenty performers were gathered along with two MCs: Adrianna Hernandez and R.J. Kennedy, MCC representative for Igwe.

Given that admission was free, money was also alloted by the office of admissions to hire the highly noted DJ Benzo from 106.1 KMEL, in order to accommodate and impress prospective students present at the event.

A special invite was sent out to admitted students looking to enter the Santa Clara community through Sadie and Noche Latina. Sponsored by the MCC these two groups provide a sense of community for incoming freshman to reach out to similar individuals and form bonds before beginning their college career. As part of their overnight stay, the MCC puts on a dinner and the Love Jones event.

The entire cast proceeded eloquently and the amount of stage presence was evident throughout the night, especially given that performers only had one run through prior to stepping on stage.

The introductory act showcased sophomore Felicia Fregoso. She performed her poem entitled "Loving Love," which served as a well-needed reminder of the innocence, purity, and power in true love. In her effort to explain an irrevocable obsession with Valentine's Day, Fregoso reminded everyone present that love is attainable and is meant to be believed in.

One of the next performers to walk on stage was sophomore Mark Rogers, who presented an unusual but incredibly powerful message in a creatively humorous yet thought provoking manner. Upon first impression, his poem titled "Beneath the Sheets," insinuated a typical comical portrayal of sex. However, once Rogers commenced in an enticing and confident manner, his message provided one common cultural misconception and portrayal of "casual sex."  

"Casual sex is fun love, but not real love because true love waits, Sex without commitment is like a roller coaster without restraints"

Yet another highlight of the evening was the performance of repeat Love Jones senior rap group "The Headlines." The performance both highlighted their career and left a certain degree of sadness among their long time friends, who watched them take the stage for their last time as Santa Clara students.

"Love Jones is one of the biggest showcasing of talents for the Santa Clara community and it meant a lot to see some of the seniors perform for their final time as an attribution to their hard work and dedication to our community as they showcased their incredible talent" said Christopher Paschal, co-president of the club.

Igwebuike, the sponsor of the event, is one of the nine clubs that are part of the Multicultural Club in the Santa Clara community. Originally founded in 1967 as the Black Student Union, in 1984 the club changed its name to Igwebuike which means "In unity there is strength." The club is headed by co-presidents Paschal and Nadia Yassin.

The club prides itself on its Igwebuike Scholarship Fund. This fund raises money for scholarships for incoming freshmen who struggle with meeting the financial demands associated with attaining a college education. One of these scholarships will be revealed at an upcoming barbecue that the club will be hosting for admitted students in Sadie.

Students are encouraged to attend Igwe's upcoming events including the Barbecue as well as the next Poetry Night.

Contact Mary at mchamaki@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4546.