Chambria Harrison, a sophomore communication major sang "Scars To Your Beautiful" by Alessia Cara for the Black Student Union's talent showcase Amateur Night at The Apollo: Be Good or Be Gone.
Annie Goodman/The Lion's Roar

The Black Student Union hosted their annual talent showcase Amateur Night at the Apollo: Be Good or Be Gone.

“This is a traditional event for BSU,” said President of Black Student Union Josten Milan, a senior social work major. “We close out Black History Month by letting some of our students show their talents.”

On Monday, Feb. 20, BSU showcased 10 acts ranging from singing to dance to spoken word for students to watch for $2.

“I feel like my performance went very well tonight,” said Michaela Thanars, a senior art major with a concentration in graphic design. “I chose a song that was a very old, kind of historic, song. Since it’s Black History Month, it had a really good meaning to fit the theme.”

Andrea Kaigler, who also performed at National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Concrete Jungle, enjoyed the crowd’s response.

“I got involved in this event through BSU,” said Kaigler, a junior industrial technology major. “It went pretty well. Everybody showed love. The crowd was really good and hyped.”

Thanars performed a dance for culture night and helped to plan the event.

“With this event, I’m in the organization already, so I actually helped plan it and put it together,” said Thanars. “I’m actually on the board for this organization, and when planning this event, it was during Black History Month that we really wanted to educate and this song just speaks very powerfully about a lot of things that happened during the past.”

Some of the performers had participated in this event in previous years.

“I feel like my performance went well,” said Datron Matthews, a junior engineering technology major. “The crowd was feeling it. I was feeling it. It was just overall a good time. I’m very involved on campus. I did it last year, and I had to come back.”

Matthews, who performs under the stage name Eflow, writes his music about his life.

“My music is inspired by life,” said Matthews. “It’s about me trying to be heard. Retelling things that I’ve been through and just basically my life recorded.”

Milan believes the event helps students to gain popularity for their talents.

“I think tonight’s show was yet another successful event,” said Milan. “This is something we do annually. The performers were great. The crowd was hyped. I think that we had a great turnout. It’s important because it gives African Americans a chance to show their talents as well as help those people that’s not out there be known for their talents. They get publicity by doing that, Instagram followers, people go download their links or they go buy their mixtapes.”

Michaela Thanars, a senior art major with a concentration in graphic design performed a dance for the talent showcase. Thanars is also a member of the Black Student Union and helped to organize this event.
Annie Goodman/The Lion's Roar

Diante Dennis sang "Chandelier" by Sia for the Black Student Union's Amateur Night at The Apollo: Be Good or Be Gone.
Annie Goodman/The Lion's Roar