At least 120 students and faculty gathered at the Illini Union this Wednesday for High School Musical night at Courtyard Karaoke, where performers paid homage to the iconic franchise through song.
Dimmed lights with a pink spotlight shone on the stage, and a bustling crowd of onlookers set the scene for this nostalgic gathering as participants signed up to perform their childhood favorites from the “High School Musical” series.
Tomi Dugbo, junior in Media and director of enriching programs for the Illini Union Board, kicked off the event with a warm introduction at 7 p.m. As the event’s organizer, Dugbo bore the responsibility of choosing its theme and promoting it.
“People do not play about karaoke on this campus,” Dugbo said. “There were already people signing up for songs before the event even started.”
“Gotta Go My Own Way” and “Push It to the Limit” were just two of the numbers performed during the first hour of the event, as crowds sang along and enjoyed a complimentary University-catered buffet.
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“A lot of times people just focus on the academics for school — I think it’s important to have that community and social aspect as a de-stresser for such a hard thing as school,” Dugbo said. “So meeting new people or creating memories with people, like building bonds is very important for yourself to have. I think these kinds of events just bring the joy out of people.”
Dugbo went on to explain the promotional aspect behind the night: teasing an upcoming visit from Corbin Bleu.
The actor, who portrays lead character Chad Danforth in the “High School Musical” films, is set to speak at the Illini Union’s Courtyard Cafe on Nov. 6. A meet-and-greet session for select attendees will follow the event.
A passionate performance of “We’re All In This Together” was delivered by seniors in LAS Nova Butte and Morgan Miller, who have been attending Courtyard Karaoke every week for the past two years.
“(Courtyard Karaoke) is a great excuse to take a break and break away from academics,” Miller said.
Miller recounted having attended several similar campus events, including Late Nighters at the Union, which take place on Fridays once a month, offering crafts and games.
“I think it was good to switch to Disney — it got more people involved,” Miller said, alluding to the broadening of the night’s theme from strictly “High School Musical” songs.
Courtyard Karaoke regular and de facto campus celebrity Michael Decoste, junior in LAS, was in agreement with this sentiment.
“I don’t like when they put in these themed nights — it limits our options,” Decoste said. “You’ll never make me conform!”
Not averse to the theme, Chase Render, junior ACES, was experiencing his second karaoke night.
“I enjoyed ‘In The Jungle’ by the older gentleman,” Render said. The man’s spirited rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens had the whole crowd captivated.
Render confirmed that he would most likely be a regular karaoke attendee going forward, recalling how he was drawn in on accident the week prior.
“We heard … singing and checked it out expecting to be here just for a minute and ended up staying for an hour and a half,” Render said.
Courtyard Karaoke takes place every Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Illini Union and is open for all to enjoy, whether they prefer to perform, watch from the crowd or merely chow down on a complimentary chocolate chip cookie.
