MIT Productions Highlights (Dec. 1-3, 2017)

A weekend of student performances puts the spotlight on student talent

By Nathan Liang and Torri Yearwood Dec. 7, 2017

Centrifugues 2017 Fall Performance: Fugue One - Dec. 1, 2017

A long time ago, in a classroom far far away (10-250, to be precise), a group of talented students, armed with beautiful voices and bad puns (but in a good way), banded together to form the Centrifuges! In conjunction with the Olin Powerchords, the a capella groups presented a medley of mashups from across the pop culture spectrum, including “For The Longest Time” by Billy Joel/”Lean On Me” by Bill Withers, “I’ve Got a Feeling” by The Black Eyed Peas/”Geronimo” by Sheppard/”Pumping Blood” by NONONO, “All of Me” by John Legend/“Unfaithful” by Rihanna, “Classic” by MKTO/“I Want You Back” by The Jackson Five, “Secrets” by OneRepublic/”Someone Like You” by Adele, “Style” by Taylor Swift/”Into You” by Ariana Grande, and “I Kissed a Girl” by Katy Perry/”Too Close” by Next, as well as “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga/”When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta sung with some alumni. Accompanying the fantastic singing was an intermediary comical sketch of the (mis-)adventures of some young MIT padawans as they eradicated campus of the dreaded Imperial measurement system. The performances brought out all of the musicians’ talents, including solos by Fatima Gunter-Rahman ’21, Sarah Flanagan ’19, Cecilia Esterman ’21, Edward Nguyen ’19, and more.

MIT World Music Day: Rambax MIT - Dec. 2, 2017

A bright smile and a toddler’s joyous laugh. Rapid, energetic drum beats. Flailing arms and dancing legs. A call to musical arms and to join the fun. This was the culmination of Rambax MIT’s show during World Music Day.

Rambax MIT was founded in 2001 by current director Lamine Touré. More specifically, the group focuses on Sabar, a vibrant drum and dance tradition of the Wolof people of Senegal, West Africa. Anyone affiliated with MIT can take either the beginner or immediate class offered year-round at MIT.

At the performance, Touré introduced the intermediate group first to establish a jovial vibe of celebration. He also highlighted the presence of Malick Ngom, a brotherly friend who came to visit all the way from Senegal. Touré cued in the audience to clap and keep the tempo or to join the forefront of the group and dance without a care. Some audience members were so inspired that they would just jump into the fray and dance all throughout the performance. When it was the beginner group’s turn, the music still seemed just as constant and thriving. Touré even took the chance to teach audience members traditional dance moves while the group around carried a steady beat.

Sharing in on that vibe of togetherness was definitely an experience one can only get under very specific circumstances, and I’m grateful to Touré and Rambax MIT for uniting everyone in that room with the power of music.

MIT Chorollaries: Game of Tones - Dec. 3, 2017

Within Kresge, The Chorallaries of MIT hosted their ‘Game of Tones’ concert. They sang through a strong listing of covers and featured special guests MIT Ridonkulous, MIT Resonance, and a friendly therapy dragon disguised as a Golden Retriever.

Founded during IAP of 1977, The Chorallaries is MIT’s oldest coed a cappella group. They also gave rise to the MIT’s now-classic, “The Engineers’ Drinking Song”; this showing including a Game of Thrones twist on said song. Throughout the show, the Chorallaries covered “Blue Suede Shoes” (originally performed by Elvis Presley; solo by Dan Rigobon ’18), “I Have Questions” (originally performed by Camila Cabello; solo by Divya Gopinath ’19), a mashup of “Fresh Eyes/Castle On The Hill” (originally performed by Andy Grammar and Ed Sheeran, respectively; solos by Jack Moore ’20 and Radhika Bhatt ’19), “Supermarket Flowers” (originally performed by Ed Sheeran; solo by Alberto Naveira ’21), and “Bring Me to Life” (originally performed by Evanescence; solo by Izzy Lloyd ’18).

All performances were emotionally-invoking and pleasing to the ear, and as a result, I can only commend the amazing talent that walks our campus hallways.