by Sam Scott
Staff Writer
Photos by Rachel Chu
Once again the Green House became a fire hazard on November 15, as a large and happy horde packed in for another night of student-created entertainment. I saw Rachel Chu (C’17) poking her camera above the crowd (don’t worry, she found some space on the couch). But any sore backs and suffocation was more than worth it for the artistry on display there. Master of Ceremonies Pierce Myers (C’15) introduced the event as the 73rd of its kind, and it has done well by that (possibly fictional) tradition.
Bea Troxel (C’15) and John Mark Lampley (C’16) opened up, with an operatic rendition of some classic Appalachian folk music. Professor Bran Potter joined Lampley for some complex harmonies on “Come Thou Fount,” which quickly turned into the first of many singalongs. They must have drawn some interest from outside, since a few faces appeared through the window partway through! Mary Margaret Johnson (C’17) and Emmy Walters (C’16) followed with an a capella rendition of the Civil Wars’ “Poison and Wine,” making up for the lack of instruments with powerful, room-filling vocals. Fleming Beaver (C’15) followed up with his own ukulele stylings, including a cover of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” Yes, even the rap bit. It was a big hit, so much so that some of the crowd on the porch opened a window so they could dance along.
Megan Quick (C’15) showed off her wide range and smooth vocals, with some help from Tommy McClure (C’15) on guitar. After walking across the room carrying a giant speaker on her head, Becca Hannigan (C‘16) joined the fun. Later in the night, she put Lorde to shame with her cover of “Royals,” accompanied only by a single drum, and her brother from Chattanooga joined her for an original song she had written this summer. As finding a seat turned into a game of Tetris, Myers introduced Sewanee storyteller Sara Kachelman (C‘17) with a poem by William Carlos Williams. Her story “Judith and the Aluminum Tree” was a particular highlight, and other original writing came from Daniel Fortner (C’16), who read the story of Daddy Norton and assorted other daddies and their travails in a reality show competition in manly activities. Margaret Blackerby (C’18) and Claire Drixon (C’18) teamed up for readings from the book “Joyful Noise,” speaking in unison and trading off lines.
Laura Lyons (C’15) combined classic poetry with her original work, “marginalia.” Sarah High (C’15) and Becca Hannigan (C’16) opened one of their songs with the lyrics “I’ve never been called an angel,” but their pipes put that statement in doubt. Their set also included The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” and “a song about a place we all know.” Gabrielle Marion (C’16) and Nathan Stewart (C’16) were up next, in their matching Christmas sweaters — Marion said “we’re hoping that our sweaters distract you from the music.” But she needn’t have worried, since they quickly got the entire crowd involved with a singalong of “You’re So Vain.” Saunders Drukker (C 16) provided the audience with a truly transcendent guitar solo, and came dressed for the part with peace-sign guitar strap, hippie headband, flannel shirt, and work boots. After Sabol Payne Rodgers (C’16) read some of her lyrics, Troxel returned to the stage, and introduced her second number with the promise that “this next one’s slow, but I’ll try to make eye contact to engage you.” After that, we had to break while Myers read some endangered species stats, but the party didn’t stop, since soon after Stewart performed lively covers of “Long Black Veil,” “Wagon Wheel” and “Johnny B. Goode,” accompanied by Lance Hardeman (C’16), See ARM Page 11 >>