Acorn

Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: Arts and Leisure

Media Credit: Christa Van Eerde Members of On A Different Note Hannah Connolly ('11), Jillian Tundidor ('10) and Elena Adcock ('11) sing at Back to Classes Jam.

The University Center lounge was filled with music and applause last Saturday when three Drew University a cappella groups, 36 Madison Ave, All of the Above and On a Different Note performed at the Back to Classes Jam.

With the room filled, the groups drew the audience with songs and humor. MadAve started with Reel Big Fish's "Average Man." It was an endearing song, with lines like "Get out/ Don't want to see you again/ Maybe we can still be friends/ I know that I'm gonna go and screw it up in the end/ But that's okay cause I'm your average man."

The group sported gray T-shirts that were made for their recent tour-each with a nickname like "Bomblin' Fool", "Transport" and "Metal Stallion."

After "Average Man," MadAve introduced OADN, who performed their set in red and black outfits.

The songs ranged from a soulful rendition of Aerosmith's "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" to a sexy take on the already sensual song "Take Me Home Tonight."

The songs, "You Can Close Your Eyes" and "Love on the Rocks" were heartful and saddening ditties that showed the group's abilities. OADN ended their set with a poppy and happy-go-lucky version of "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours."

AOTA did their set next, wearing white, red and pink attire. The group's light and sweet version of "Dim all the Lights" lit up the room.MadAve then returned, starting with the song "Instant Pleasure."

From the title, one could guess that the song is about as kosher as Christmas. Lyrics like "I don't want somebody to love me/ Just give me sex whenever I want it," which were coupled with choreographed moves that I've only seen gay porn stars do, gave me chills. The group turned into a kind of giant sex machine.

"This was the first time this year that we did full choreography of a song. At the Jamnation performance, the choreography was pretty basic," MadAve member Patrick Horn ('11) said. "We've been working around the clock, having extra rehearsals to have three songs worked down to perfect."

MadAve also sang a true Drew favorite, '90s boyband 'Nsync's "It's Gonna Be Me." MadAve, having just toured the East Coast over break, is now preparing for an a cappella competition with the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella.

"We've improved tremendously," MadAve president Ross Michaels ('08) said. "We're finally coming into our skin and getting used to singing together."

"It's fun to have a different audience hear us sing the same songs," Horn said. "There's nothing like performing for Drew," Michaels said. After the show, Drewids were in awe of all three groups' singing abilities. "You can't decide who's best," Kay Halverson ('11) said. "I loved everyone in the show."

Paul Fischer ('10) echoed a similar response. "I saw MadAve on tour, and I'm glad to see that they added a new song and choreography," he said. "Everyone performed really well."

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