Purdue University - Debris Yearbook (West Lafayette, IN)

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Prancing around the set ot CATS , thcso fckncs dance and smg the magic ot the cat world to the sold out crowd Talking to the crowd atter his first set. Sting begins the mtoduction of hts band, a very impressive tine ot performers. Mart Langley Getting into the audience participation. Robin Zander of Cheap Tnck belts out one ot the bands many hits. With the look of intense heartache and pain, Robin Zander ot Cheap Trick lets the music take control during the song, The Flame 29 Convocations

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28 Convocations Smg ng Be Slrtl My Beating Heart, Sting begins an outstanding show to an almost full house at Elliot Hail of Music. Helping out with background vocals. R ck Nielson of Cheap Trick tended some comedic rountmos throughout the entire Cheap Tnck set. A Bit of Everything From opera to rock-n-roll, entertainers shows are hot on campus ntertainment was found in all different aspects. Between the Student Concert Committee and Purdue Convocations, students and the greater Lafayette area were treated to some of the most popular and talented artists in the entertainment industry. It was a successful year for Purdue Convocations, the diversity of entertainment made certain that there was something for everyone. From the opera. La Traviata to the comedic antics of Second City, along with others including, the Peking Acrobats, the music of The Empire Brass, and Neil Simon s comedy drama Broadway Bound. campus was exposed to a wide range of choices and cultures. The Student Concert Committee once again heard complaints from disgruntled students about the lack of talented performers that the university cannotattract. They put students in a frenzy when it was announced that Sting would perform at Elliot Hall of Music. He was beginning a world wide tour to promote his new album. . .. Nothing Like the Sun. With muted lights illuminating the stage. Sting captured the audience with his sophisticated rock style with a definite jazz influence. His band was impressive with the likes of Brandon Marsalis on sax. For his encore. Sting asked the packed house what song they wanted to hear, in unison, the entire Hall of Music screamed. Roxanne! He then began to play Message in a Bottle. On their feet, the crowd brought the performer out for a second encore, and to the delight of the crowd, and with the help of only an acoustic guitar. Sting performed Roxanne. From the beginning. Sting had the crowd in his

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M In his 45-minute transformation, Dan McCoy applios the With no props or gimmicks, comedian Jay Leno kept make-up which changes him into narrator cat the crowd rolling in the aistes with his unusual and Munkustrap in the musical CATS. hysterical brand of comedy From opera to rock-n-roll, entertainers shows are hot on campus power and on their feet. The Broadway smash, CATS had made two sold-out performances in Elliot Hall of Music. One show was in March, the other in November. In both cases, people lined up for hours to get tickets for one of the hottest Broadway musicals. As Lorna Myers, Director of Convocations and Lectures said, There's something magical about the show. Maybe it's the transformation from dancer to cat, or, perhaps, the exciting stage and music. Whatever the case, the magical feeling of CATS has made a lasting impression throughout the world, and Purdue is no exception. With a squeal of a guitar. Cheap Trick exploded onto stage in November. Having a slight decline in popularity since the early eighties, the band topped the charts in June with The Flame. The comeback album and hit single placed the band on an extensive tour to promote their album, Lap of Luxury. Covering Elvis' Don't Be Cruel to classic Cheap Trick tunes such as Surrender and I Want You to Want Me, the band was non-stop pure energy on stage. Lead singer. Robin Zander sang with such intensity and emotion. it almost seemed as if he was acting through line and chorus. Rick Nielson participated with the crowd involvement, running back and forth on the stage and grinding his guitar strings in a musical utopia. Nielson threw out guitar pics and autographs to the standing room only crowd. He's the permanent guest host on The Tonight Show. and he had the crowd bent over in laughter on November 18. Jay Leno supplied campus with a Friday night full of hysterical insights into the idiosyncrasies of modern American life. Standing behind the microphone, with no props or gimmicks (except maybe his chin). Leno made sure that the crowd was laughing, and that was almost guaranteed from his first steps on stage. The university has seen the cream of the crop in entertainment. From rock and roll bands like Cheap Trick and Sting, to the the entrancing Waves modern ballet company, the opportunity was evident to expand one's cultural horizons. Man. langtay