Performance • Independent
dance team PACModern demonstrates their
hip-hop style dancing routine in front
of the student Union during Smorgasport. Tracey
Roman / Daily Forty-Niner
Smorgasport
introduces campus activities
By
Joseph Serna
Daily Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Hip-hop dancers are practicing their moves, an ’80s cover band plays “Tainted
Love,” beyond that, a group of Capoeira dancers warm up, and between
all of this, a line of students eagerly awaits free food.
This was the scene outside the University Student Union Sept. 1, where an estimated
600 students participated in “Smorgasport: Turn Back the Clock,” a
free event put on by Associated Students, Inc. and several other departments
at Cal State Long Beach.
“I just want the students to enjoy themselves,” Program Coordinator
Keya Allen, said. “It’s an opportunity to get to know all the departments.”
The event was geared toward freshmen and transfer students in an effort to
introduce them to the USU, the student body and all the social opportunities
available on campus.
Another purpose of Smorgasport was to provide an alternative activity for college
students who might usually go out drinking or partying said both Allen and
Caitlin Roberts, coordinator of Greek Life.
Smorgasport featured entertainment ranging from a disc jockey and retro band, “M-80s,” to
local Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian dance that incorporates self-defense maneuvers,
and hip-hop dancers.
Also available for students were a two-story tall, blow-up rock-climbing wall
and a blow-up gauntlet people were continuously racing through. Inside the
USU game center virtually all entertainment was free, from billiards and bowling
to karaoke.
“We’ve been singing karaoke the whole time,” Christina Martinez,
a criminal justice student said.
When she and her friends are not limited to staying in the game area where
they were working, they were outside checking out the games and listening to
the music.
“They’re playing all the songs we know,” Elisa de la Pena,
a pre-art student said. “No matter how old you are, we’ve all heard
these songs.”
The event was scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m., but didn’t really gain a large
crowd until about a half hour into it. From there, the rock climbing wall and
gauntlet were almost always in use, as was the barbecue where the line would
change in size, but never disappear.
Several organizations set up tables to court any interested students, with
a number of the tables devoted to CSULB sports like volleyball and rugby.
When the line for the barbecue was too long, some students found sustenance
with the cotton candy offered on the other side of the lawn, next to Goldmine
Gym.
Smorgasport activities also took place inside the gym, where a DJ kept the
music playing as students played volleyball and participated in a tournament
style free-throw contest.
But throughout the night, the largest crowds were gathered between the barbecue
and the band, either watching the hip-hop dance team PACModern, or claiming
prizes from the raffle held throughout the evening.
PACModern, a 13-member dance team independent of, but founded at, CSULB, opened
their routine to Warren G’s “Summertime in the LBC,” to the
approving crowd of students gathered on the steps below.
Though short in length, outside of the retro band, PACModern’s routine
got the most enthusiastic response from the crowd.
As for individual enthusiasm, random screams could be heard throughout the
evening as prizes were awarded during the raffle.
“I came last year and I had a blast,” Mayra Garcia, an environmental
science and policy student said. “I love ’80s music.”
For her, the night only got better as she won two tickets to a fireworks show
and a Ricky Henderson Bobblehead Doll.
Among the prizes given away was an iPod. In previous years, students have been
able to win free tuition.
Smorgasport was held on a Thursday night because “for college students,
Thursday is the weekend,” Roberts said. |
