2008 Woodie Awards
UMOJA transforms Edgerton into a night at the Apollo
Carla Asencio
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
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The Edgerton Center of the Performing Arts transformed itself into the legendary Apollo Theater on Friday, November 16 at 7 p.m.
Hosted by UMOJA, people of every talent were invited to perform. Umoja is Swahili for "unity."
"It's basically a club that represents unity and diversity," said senior Marlie Saint-Surin, club member.
Preparation for the "night at the Apollo" event was done a month in advance.
The idea was to give people a general idea of what to expect so they chose to do an Apollo night.
The name itself creates an image and expectation.
"We wanted to have a theme that was fun, and everyone knows about the Apollo. Plus Sacred Heart has never done it," said Saint-Surin.
Other than gaining a bit of infamy for performing, there was an added incentive of winning one of the three prizes.
UMOJA awarded $1,000 to the first place winner, $500 for second place, and $250 for third to Liberty Travel.
The winners are free to explore any place of their choice without being tied down to another shopping experience.
"It's kind of cliché to give out mall gift cards. It doesn't seem as special if it's just a gift card to the mall or to a music store. It seems like you're being limited. With this, you get an experience," said senior Marsha Locke, president of UMOJA.
Each act was judged twice, by the three judges and by the audience.
The judges held score cards between the numbers 1 and 3, where 1 is the lowest score.
The audience was encouraged to disagree with the judgments by cheering, hollering, and clapping to support the act that they thought deserved a higher score.
Any act that people booed would cue the "sweeper" to enter with a large push broom to brush the act away.
This event not only included students from the university community but the surrounding Bridgeport and Fairfield area.
Promotion by word of mouth helped fill the seats and provide an outlet for unknown talent.
Hosted by UMOJA, people of every talent were invited to perform. Umoja is Swahili for "unity."
"It's basically a club that represents unity and diversity," said senior Marlie Saint-Surin, club member.
Preparation for the "night at the Apollo" event was done a month in advance.
The idea was to give people a general idea of what to expect so they chose to do an Apollo night.
The name itself creates an image and expectation.
"We wanted to have a theme that was fun, and everyone knows about the Apollo. Plus Sacred Heart has never done it," said Saint-Surin.
Other than gaining a bit of infamy for performing, there was an added incentive of winning one of the three prizes.
UMOJA awarded $1,000 to the first place winner, $500 for second place, and $250 for third to Liberty Travel.
The winners are free to explore any place of their choice without being tied down to another shopping experience.
"It's kind of cliché to give out mall gift cards. It doesn't seem as special if it's just a gift card to the mall or to a music store. It seems like you're being limited. With this, you get an experience," said senior Marsha Locke, president of UMOJA.
Each act was judged twice, by the three judges and by the audience.
The judges held score cards between the numbers 1 and 3, where 1 is the lowest score.
The audience was encouraged to disagree with the judgments by cheering, hollering, and clapping to support the act that they thought deserved a higher score.
Any act that people booed would cue the "sweeper" to enter with a large push broom to brush the act away.
This event not only included students from the university community but the surrounding Bridgeport and Fairfield area.
Promotion by word of mouth helped fill the seats and provide an outlet for unknown talent.
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