Students packed the Davenport coffeehouse in the School of International Service Building on Friday night for the latest in a series of on-campus open mic nights. This event served as a fund-raiser for tsunami relief. Admission was free, but a collection jar was passed around during the show.
Matt Miller, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences and popular local musician, headlined the three-hour event. Aside from Miller, anyone was able to sign up to perform on stage.
Davenport was standing room-only at the 8:30 p.m. start time.
"The turnout was typical of the Davenport. It's always great there," Miller said. "It showed a lot of interest in the arts. The Davenport is a great resource for musicians."
Several other students signed up and excited the crowd by performing cover songs. Miller played his interpretation of the N*Sync hit "Bye Bye Bye" (featuring the theme from "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" in the interlude), while others performed songs by Blink 182, Tenacious D, Dropkick Murphys and the Gin Blossoms.
Freshman Gareth Smail, who accompanied his friend on stage for two songs, said the crowd's turnout was exceptional.
"It was packed, you could hardly move around," he said.
Smail said he enjoyed watching other performers as well. "It was a really solid, talented group of people," he said.
Freshman Alyse Zadalis, who was in attendance, said the event was a lot of fun.
"You can't go wrong with coffee, cozy couches and listening to a live cover of N*Sync," she said.
