Global Rhythms Show Taps Into New Talent and Old Favorites

Author: Venessa Wong

Rarely does one see McCullough outside of its typical attire - dressed up in a lot of trance music, belly shirts and body odor. Yet two weekends ago this social space was invaded, transforming it from its usual weekend venue, a thumping techno dance club, into a colorful stage for talent. We're talking about the Global Rhythms Show, and on Saturday, Oct. 25, Wonnacott Commons came together to present the second annual such collaboration, an event that according to Commons Faculty Head Cynthia Atherton, "was conceived of as a signature [Commons] event to pull the community together."

This year the show featured 13 performances, including its first alumni act by Damian Washington '03 and a cameo appearance by Dean Matt Longman on bass guitar with "Marco and Friends."

The Show revealed an impressive, and dare I say surprising, display of talent among Middlebury students, especially among its younger classes. Many of the newer performers brought fresh ideas and energy to the stage, going far beyond the tired "freshman-rock band-act," a danger that typically prowls around college variety shows.

One of the most memorable performers was Nikitas Stamatopoulos '07, who strutted incredible skills in a guitar duo, justifying his bold facade in lace-up leather pants and a red bandana. Ian Hough '07 made a blaring entrance as well, with his bloated green bagpipe whose thunderous sound awoke all audience members. Maurice Opara '05, a self-trained pianist who admitted to the audience that he cannot read music, demonstrated great aptitude with his renditions of two new-age pieces by Karl Jenkins.

Brian Pletcher '04, who over the past few years has earned the cognomen "Brian-the-Juggler," presented his signature Magic Juggle Ball act. His presence on stage was phenomenal, as his graceful command of a delicate bubble with gentle hands and impenetrable concentration guaranteed a captive audience. He has proven to be a perennial favorite.

Longman's cameo on bass guitar (augmented by his trademark genial smile) enhanced jam band "Marco and Friends" act, though their performance of Paul Simon's "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" already had audience members humming along.

The show also featured a number of dance performances, including Megan Hickey '06 and Kate McKendy '07 doing Irish Step Dance. Skipping light-footedly through the stage in white-collared shirts and dark skirts, one could not help but imagine a hybrid mix of frenzied Catholic schoolgirls and woodland fairies. Hickey's stomping segment near the end of the act was certainly the most impressive part, as the rhythm booming from her soles was seamless.

GT Breakdancers closed the show with spunk, shattering their sarcastically sunny entrance with an awakeningly kinetic breakdance battle, which roused much enthusiasm from the audience.

Other musical acts included Mchakamchaka's women's group, which melodiously jogged onto stage to open the show, Capoeira by Donald Bohannon '04, Caitlin Greenfield '04 and alumnus Maurice Chang, Jam-band Larson, Micah Gurard-Levin '07 on the piano, rap by alumnus Washington and Bossa Nova, and jazz by Chris Lizotte '06 and friends.

In addition to entertainment, the show also provided an assortment of desserts and a raffle contest for six door prizes (two of which were coincidentally won by Wonnacott Commons staff).

Amy Josephson '05, who worked on the Decorations and Door Prizes Committee for the event, says of the show, "[It] allows you to see talents that you would not otherwise see. It's part of diversity awareness. You see different forms of expression, food, music and performance. Even in rural Vermont you can find diversity."

Richard Novak '05 adds, "People talk about diversity, but [Global Rhythms] is really about finding out what that guy sitting next to you in your economics class does in his spare time."

The event was organized by Commons Faculty Head Cynthia Atherton, Coordinator Lorraine Zak, Dean Longman and Wonnacott CRAs, RAs and JCs.