A long line of students, parents and other community members wrapped around the Performing Arts Center awaiting the performance of Black Violin and R & B star Jason Derulo Saturday night.
The artists for this year’s SpringFest were chosen by USI students in a survey given to students in November.
Black Violin stole the stage after Provost Ron Rochon introduced the duo; violinists Kev Marcus and Wil B. performed some of their music, as well as popular music with classical spins on it.
Sophomore dental hygiene major Olivia Goff said she enjoyed the performance.
“It was different then what I’m used to. I like classical music sometimes, so it was really neat to hear them incorporate classical music with their music.”
Some attendees seemed unenthusiastic, lying on the ground away from everyone and staring at the ceiling or resting their elbows on the edge of the metal barricade, staring at their phones or into space.
Others were more excited, crowding along the metal railing throwing their hands in the air, and singing along.
When Jason Derulo arrived on stage the, the lights dimmed to high-pitched squeals.
Derulo certainly won over the hearts of the female attendees.
Security, courtesy of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, stood idly in front of the stage until Derulo ripped his shirt off, which sent the ladies crowding around and rattling the metal railing.
The eyes of the women were crazed with lust as Derulo performed his hit singles, “Ridin’ Solo”, “Whatcha Say” and “In My Head” along with renditions of Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy Back” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.
Though the crowd seemed to enjoy the performance, USI did not see the caliber of performance Derulo often gives.
At his other performances, he brought along an entire band with him; at USI he sang along with a CD.
This became quite apparent when during “Whatcha Say” a female vocalist was singing, though there wasn’t one at the concert.
When he performed “Ridin’ Solo” he held the microphone out to the audience for the them to sing the chorus almost every time.
I stood near the stage for most of the performance, so I could see Derulo didn’t even bother to open his mouth at some points.
Despite his lack of singing, his dancing was full of acrobatics and different variations of the moonwalk.
His feet swept across the stage, and his finesse and smoothness were reminiscent of the moves for which Michael Jackson was known during the 80s.
Up close, beads of sweat could be seen pouring down his face, working under the bright stage lights.
Jordan Whitledge, Student Government Association president elect for the 2011-2012 school year, said this was his first year attending SpringFest.
He said he had never heard of Black Violin before and he enjoyed the performance because of the touch of classical music mixed with the hip-hop.
“Jason Derulo was great as well. The singing and dancing was wonderful. I even liked the cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”.”
