Students Showcase Their Talents at Arts in the Parlor

By Grace Massara, The Whetstone

Wesley took donors, administration, faculty and students back in time to the 1920s with “A Gatsby Party,” when the school hosted Arts in the Parlor at the Schwartz Center. The event raised $30,000 for college scholarships.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our talent,” Wesley College President Dr. Johnston said. “It’s a lovely setting with great food.  I am proud of the students and faculty.”

Britania Redington and Dr. James Wilson

The show started off with a performance by the choir and jazz band of “All That Jazz” from the musical “Chicago.” The symphonic band and jazz band also performed.

“It was terrific, it was a nice variety of talent of the students and faculty,” said Chris Wood, vice president of institutional advancement.

Faculty was also a part of the performance. Professor Victor Greto did a reading from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Dr. Jeffrey Mask did a monologue by 1920s humorist Robert Benchley called “The Treasurer’s Report”.

The closing act was Britania Redington, with Dr. James Wilson on the piano, performing “Marietta’s Lied.”

Faith Woodard, coordinator of academic advisement, said she liked the variety offered.

“It was wonderful,” she said. “Each performance was unique. I was very impressed by Britania Redington. I loved the dancing from the choir. It was a great show.”

After the show, the crowd moved upstairs to the second and third floors for food and dancing.

On the second floor Media Arts Professor Mike Nielsen performed on the harp. On the third floor, there was an art gallery in one room and a dance floor with hors d’oeuvres. The Swing Noteables played. Xandra Best and Reed Perkins, who choreographed the choir, gave dance tips.

“Reed taught us a lot,” said sophomore choir member Jelynn Frisby.

Choir performing

Later in the night there was a basket-making demonstration by Susan Taylor and a watercolor painting demonstration by Susan Johnston.

“What a night,” academic dean Patricia Dwyer said. “It was a great opportunity to see our students’ talent.”