Otters Prove: They’ve Got Talent

Monica Guzman, Staff Reporter

monica_guzman@csumb.edu

May 1, 2008

Saturday April 26 the CSU

Monterey Bay (CSUMB) club,

Black Student Union (BSU) held

their third bi-annual talent show

where 16 acts performed at the

chance to win first place and $300.

The acts varied in styles from

dancing to rock bands to rappers

and even opera.

According to Lauren Owens,

BSU president, “The event was

started as an idea from our advisor

who thought it would be cool

to bring back just an old school

talent show”. Owens also said that

it also gives the club something

to do after Black History Month

since they do not have any events

after February.

Previous shows in the spring

semester of 2007 and last fall

semester both sold out and filled

the venues. “The shows are

awesome and students love them,”

said Owens.

The performers are local acts

and CSUMB students, which

have to audition in order to get

into the talent show. Although

not all the acts get in, some are

invited to audition in the following

semester’s show.

Sierra Blanton, Human

Communication junior, and

Stephanie Chidodo, Liberal Studies

freshman were enjoying the show

from front row. The girls were

there cheering for the CSUMB hip

hop club Rhythmic Flow which

seemed to be a favorite amongst

the audience.

“One has to give credit to all

that get up [on stage]; it takes a lot

to perform in front of your peers,”

said Blanton.

Once everyone performed, all

the judges had to decide which

of the 16 acts would go onto the

top five. From those five, the

audience would then choose who

would take home the first, second

and third place.

Flamenco dancer Janiel Callahan,

acoustic singers Nicole Corral and

Trevor Geniuss, rapper Giggs, and

rock band Gary made it to the final

five but the crowd was not satisfied.

With a consultation of the judges,

hip hop dancer Chris Marcos was

added making it a final six.

With the audience now in charge,

Marcos ended up sweeping away

first place and $300.

“I didn’t make the top five so I

wasn’t expecting everything, and

then I was called back to the

stage,” said Marcos.

Corral recieved second place

and the $200 prize while Show

Ishikura and his band Gary

recieved third and the $100 prize.