Dollar Show Rocks Lecture Hall

By Yana Serdtse of PipeDream

As audience members looked around the overflowing Lecture Hall at the Dollar Show last weekend, some were heard to exclaim, "It's Saturday night -- don't these people have lives?" 

Over 300 students decided to forgo the bars for a different form of aural entertainment as the audience was aroused by the first appearance of Binghamton University's six a cappella groups.

 Once the six guys and four girls, known as the Binghamton Vibrations breathlessly rushed on stage at 8pm, the hall calmed. Their act opened with the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'." As Brad Spiegel sang, "All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray," the group's intensity captured the audience with their constant intensity.

 The next group to take the stage was the Harpur Harpeggios, otherwise known as the Pegs. Their version of Annie Lennox's "No More I Love Yous" was emotional and the lead singer involved herself wholly in the music. They seemed enthusiastic, but their chorus was thin.

 Noted for their energy and great Ô80s songs, The Rhythm Method also stood out for their presentation and matching outfits. 

"Hey how often do you hear songs like ÔLivin' on a Prayer'?" sophomore Chris Biscuiti said.

 Other Rhythm Method highlights included Heart's "These Dreams" and "Footloose," a song the group had fun with.

 The next group to appear was the Crosbys, who charmed everyone with their humor -- especially the female population. Junior Jen Cooper said (with a sly smile) the highlight of the dollar show was "Gee...the Crosbys, maybe?" Their well-blended melodies and sense of togetherness, especially in songs like "Me and Julio," made the Crosbys seem like a group, rather than a just a bunch of guys singing.

 The Binghamtonics, Binghamton's oldest co-ed a cappella group, were not only melodic, but humorous as well. One of the scenarios included an audition for the Spice Girls to replace the lost Ginger Spice with "Old Spice" and "Transvestite Spice." Their version of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" was harmonic and all voices (both on the chorus and the solo) blended well.

 Kaskeset closed the show and added some Jewish "flava" and ethnicity to the evening. Their songs were reminiscent of songs sung at Jewish sleep away camps, such as "Avinu Malkeinu." Kaskeset's strong voices brought an all-around terrific show to an end...until the next a cappella fest, that is.