Monday, May 4, 1998
Music for the masses
ENTERTAINMENT: A night of pure entertainment, Spring Sing was a
star-studded success
By Stefanie Wong
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Some of UCLA’s best performers came together Friday night in a
showcase of musical talent, Spring Sing ’98, "On the Air."
Celebrating its 49th year in production, UCLA’s oldest musical
tradition drew screams and applause from the crowd as audience
members cheered for their favorite acts.
Fifteen groups performed to a packed audience at the Los Angeles
Tennis Center, vying for recognition as the best solo, duet,
ensemble, a cappella, band or production entry.
Awaken A Cappella took high honors, winning for best a cappella
group and the sweepstakes award with their rendition of The Artist
Formerly Known as Prince’s "Seven."
"This has just been an amazing experience. We had been
practicing our performance since January, two to three times a
week," said Awaken member Megan Beltran.
Other acts included second-year biochemistry student Benjamin
Huey, who performed an original song "Without You," Tinig ng
Samahang with "Joyful, Joyful," and a duet between Sari Bushman and
Sheryl Holtzman who sang "Take Me or Leave Me" from the musical
Rent.
In between acts, the Spring Sing company won the crowd over as
they performed filler skits that poked fun at UCLA life and recent
headlines such as President Clinton’s reputation as a womanizer and
the Spice Girls’ 15 minutes of fame.
"The company acts were hilarious and well thought-out. They
covered all aspects of Bruin life from chalking to passing out
flyers," said Nicole Luque, a third-year math student.
The star-studded musical event featured celebrity judges such as
Anthony Michael Hall from the Brat Pack movies and Kelly Rutherford
of "Melrose Place."
Another grand event of the evening was the presentation of the
George and Ira Gershwin Award to legendary blues musician John Lee
Hooker.
The crowd went wild when Mick Fleetwood, of Fleetwood Mac fame,
took to the stage to introduce Hooker as the recipient of the
award.
"John is an individual who carries on musical excellence,"
Fleetwood said. "It is a true legacy that he is still doing what he
does best."
"Have passion, more passion and even more passion for what you
feel you want to represent you in your life," he added, explaining
Hooker’s dedication to his music.
Hooker was greeted with a rousing standing ovation as he took
the stage and accepted the award.
"I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be here with the young
and the old – these school kids," Hooker said.
The event was organized by the Student Alumni Association Spring
Sing committee. The members were ecstatic with the audience turnout
and quality of the production.
"The show was awesome. It knocked the past years out of the
water," said Spring Sing Talent Director Cliff Jin. "It resembled a
professional production."
"The turnout was great. The stadium was packed and we were all
very excited," added Shayla Kasel, the committee’s financial
director.
(Bottom right) Band Chrysalis performed an original song "Cake"
and won best overall participation.MICHAEL ROSS WACHT/Daily
Bruin
Mick Fleetwood (left) of Fleetwood Mac presented blues musician
John Lee Hooker with the Gershwin Award Friday night.