By Rachelle Reeves
GCU News Bureau
Student singers, guitarists, a comedian, and other talents will be on display tonight during the first campus Java Jam of the fall.
The live performance event takes place at 8 p.m. on the circle between the buildings for the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Education. The event is free, and so is the Dutch Bros. coffee provided by student organizers from Associated Students of ASGCU.
Ryan Pinkerton, ASGCU activities director, said he expects larger crowds than last year. He also said Java Jam fans can expect to see GCU student Frankie Mota continue his tradition of closing out the show with his energetic dance moves.
“Our opening act is a drum solo followed by a lot of people singing with guitars,” Pinkerton said. “We have a comedian, a student doing spoken word, and the last act will be Frankie, who closed with dance every Java Jam last year and is a crowd favorite.”
Pinkerton encourages students to attend the first Java Jam of the year to see students use their God-given creative abilities. The next events are scheduled for Oct. 9 and Nov. 13.
The area between the CAS and COE buildings provides a background for the stage, while lights and chatter create a coffeehouse vibe to the event. The flow of the night gives many students opportunities to attend one performance or listen the entire night as they hang out with friends.
The slab behind Student Union, which no longer exists because of construction, served as the first venue for Java Jam in 2009, when crowds of 20-30 students attended. Now student organizers believe as many as 300 students could show up.
Dorybell Gonzalez, a sophomore business management major who minors in music, performed at last year’s first Java Jam as an attempt to step out of her comfort zone. She strummed her guitar and sang Maroon 5’s song “Payphone” along with Brooke Fraser’s “The Thief.”
“After I performed, there were some people that offered compliments,” Gonzalez said. “One performer I learned lived on my floor. After that night, we got together and played songs and hung out.”
Students interested in auditioning for Java Jam can sign up in the Student Engagement Office at Prescott Hall.
Contact Rachelle Reeves at [email protected].
