Star search

Hip-Hop dancer, mime and poet steal show at second annual 'Cuse Got Talent

By: Samuel Taylor

Posted: 9/22/08

Jerijah West signed up for 'Cuse Got Talent on a whim.

He thought it could be fun and a good opportunity to show people what he does best.

And according to the judges, he was the best in the competition held Saturday.

West, a sophomore communication and rhetorical studies major, commanded the stage at the second annual 'Cuse Got Talent, winning the competition.

The crowd of more than 100 shouted and cheered for West's hip hop/R&B dance routine, which won over the judges and earned West the $400 first place prize.

"It was really intimidating at first, but when I got on stage, it was all about me and expressing how I felt at the moment," West said.

With acts ranging from free-form poetry to interpretive mime dancing, this year's 'Cuse Got Talent embodied the artistic diversity Syracuse University has to offer.

SU students lit up the stage at this year's event, hosted by Phi Beta Sigma and the Traditions Committee. Each act brought its own unique talent to the stage and awaited critiques from a panel of judges who would ultimately determine which act deserved first place.

"I was pleased with the turnout," said Kannan Muralidharan, a senior and Phi Beta Sigma member. "Not only in number, but the diversity as well"

Keith Smith, a freshman in the Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries, and freshman drama major Farasha Yaya Baylock took home the $150 second place prize for their inspirational piano/vocal duet.

Third place, and $50, went to junior political science major Victoria Chang for her original poetry reading.

"(The show) was definitely a success, I could tell just by looking into the crowd and seeing all the different faces," West said. "It was like a big celebration. I was so glad that so many people came out to support the arts."

Each participant stressed the importance of giving back to the community, taking time to share an inspirational story before their performances.

"We try to perform, but at the same time absorb as much as we can from this rich campus," Baylock said. "There is so much culture here, and we're making it our mission to embed ourselves in it."

Sophomore in the College of Human Ecology DeMarcus Woods tore up the stage early in the night with his fast-paced interpretive mime dance routine to a gospel ballad. Woods didn't care about winning the money, he just wanted to inspire the audience.

"At the beginning of the school year, a lot of students get homesick," Woods said. "I wanted to encourage them to stand up by themselves and get through it."

He said that if someone feels moved by his performance, then he accomplished his goal.

The performers represented not only diversity and inspiration, but student activism as well. Before each performance, the competitors announced their name, grade, major and which student activities with which they were involved.

"This is my second time performing in 'Cuse Got Talent, and I'm definitely looking forward to doing it next year," Woods said during the show.

The event was part of this year's Homecoming line-up, continuing the tradition of student-initiated competitions and festivities.

"It's very important that student organizations are there to help other students, that's what they're for," Muralidharan said. "Sometimes people think the frats are all about the parties, but we wanted to show that we can accomplish diversity outside of partying."

smtayl02@syr.edu