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(11/17/09 9:44pm)
Cassandra Jackson
Associate Professor of English
What are you wearing today?
Lace-up boots by Michael Kors, the pants are Max Azria, my shirt is from Forever 21, and the sweater I picked up in Spain at a little bitty boutique.
How would you label your style?
My style is always funky, unexpected, and slightly inappropriate. My personal rule is that it’s always better to be underdressed than overdressed. I feel more like myself when I’m underdressed. When I’m overdressed, I feel like I’m trying to be someone else. It’s really a matter of temperament.
What is your style inspired by?
I don’t really have a specific inspiration because my look changes so much. I love international street fashion, especially Japanese and Parisian street fashion.
What is it about street fashion that attracts you?
I think the fact that it’s so unconventional. You’ll see people dressed in ways that seem to speak more to the individual than that sort of broader fashion culture. I think in the U.S., most people are really just trying to fit in and look appropriate. But with international street fashion, because it’s so centered around youth, there seems to be less emphasis on conventionality and more emphasis on expressiveness.
Do you dress differently when you’re in the office than you would on a day off?
If anything, my skirt length changes. I tend to not wear short skirts in the classroom. I don’t want to risk giving any sort of peep show.
Where do you shop?
Free People is one of my favorite boutiques. I love Rouge in Princeton. I also love European discount stores like Zara and Top Shop.
Have you always been into fashion?
Yes, since I was tiny. Some of my earliest memories are putting on my mother’s wigs leftover from the ’60s. I played dress up every day as a child. If I knew I was going to watch “Hee Haw” that evening, I would have a special outfit for that. I would pull out all of my country and western gear.
Did you ever consider a career in fashion?
When I was younger, I worked for a fashion magazine called Platinum, and I modeled as a teenager through college. I found the fashion industry to be a little oppressive. The “industry” wasn’t about all of the things that I loved about fashion. It was more about the efforts of a particular company to sell products than it being a form of personal and artistic expression.
Do you have a favorite designer?
I love Roberto Cavalli’s designs. Cavalli was one of the first designers that went for the “deconstructed look.” He has a way of producing clothes that look both upscale and slightly grunge at the same time.
Do you have any style icons?
My mom had a really edgy style. She would wear four-inch heels that would be red or gold. She would wear incredible scarves that she would tie in a sort of French fashion. She had amazing clothes. Mila Jovovich also pulls together some extraordinary looks. She has a great way of putting together totally unexpected pieces and making them work.
(10/20/09 3:16pm)
Regardless of whether we’d like to believe it, how we present ourselves on the outside says an awful lot about the type of people we are on the inside. If you are someone who puts even a bit of thought and effort into putting yourself together each morning, then you translate to others that you take pride in your image and have confidence in your character. Just think, you wouldn’t show up to a job interview in an old sweatshirt with your hair undone, so why should any other day be different? Every day is an opportunity to bring out your best appearance and deliver your best impression.
Senior communication studies major Ana Pereira is a woman with “a mission to look good.” While she may not be loud in tone, she certainly makes up for it in style.
What are you wearing?
My dress is from Urban Outfitters, my shoes are from Nine West, and the stockings I bought from The Limited.
How would you characterize your style?
I associate my style with my eclectic music taste. I’m a very big music fan. I’ll listen to everything from The Allman Brothers Band to Lil Wayne. I don’t have a defined style.
How has your style evolved over the years?
In high school, my style would change drastically about every other month. I went through a punk phase, a Baby Phat princess phase ... I was definitely experimental. I discovered what I did and did not want to wear. I was finding myself.
What attracts you to fashion?
Fashion is expressive. I love the New York City and London fashion culture. I love people who have the mission to look good. I like to dress up, and I like looking put-together.
What else do you love most about fashion?
There’s no right or wrong in fashion. You can do what you want to do.
Do you like to stand out with your style?
Yes, absolutely. It is my goal in a sense. I’m not one to blend in. I’m not a loud person, so it’s my way of setting myself apart from people. My style isn’t over-the-top, but it doesn’t go unnoticed.
How do you go about standing out with your look?
I’m always trying to step outside the box. I love when people are almost amused by what I’m wearing. I still don’t completely understand fashion — it’s something that I’m learning. I like to feed off other people and be inspired by what they’re wearing.
Do you envision yourself with a career in fashion?
I want to start out with wedding planning, but I would love to work in the entertainment industry — with music or fashion. I would never want to be a celebrity. Well, maybe a B-list celebrity.
(09/29/09 6:06pm)
Shauwneric Sinclair
Senior History and Criminology Major
What are you wearing?
A pink Polo shirt, linen shorts and Sperry shoes. You’ll always see me with Sperrys on. Some people have a fetish for sneakers, I have a fetish for Sperrys.
Why do you like Sperrys so much?
They’re very comfortable shoes. They’re just my shoe of choice. I love sneakers, but everybody wears sneakers. I wanted to change my style up a little bit.
What do your bracelets say?
Knowledge is power.
Do you always carry a briefcase?
Yes.
Why not a backpack?
To be honest, I just wanted to be different. The briefcase isn’t for fashion, but everyone carries a backpack.
Why do you want to look different all the time?
I want to have my own sense of character. Why fit in, when I can stand out?
What kinds of clothes are you attracted to?
I’m drawn to bright colors and the way a shirt feels on my body. I’m a linen and cotton guy. You’ll never see me in jeans. I haven’t worn jeans in over two years.
Whose style do you like?
I love Andre 3000’s style. He’s different, and a little bit over the top sometimes. People say I remind them of him. Sometimes I get Farnsworth Bentley and Will Smith.
What else do people say about your style?
Sometimes they’ll make fun of the way I dress. I dress flamboyantly. I don’t care what anyone says about me having short shorts on. It’s unconventional. If people say my style is weird, I’ll call theirs cliché.
What if that’s what makes them feel comfortable?
That’s different. If you feel comfortable in it, just wear it. We spend too much time worrying about what everybody else is worrying about. Even if you want to be butt naked, do what makes you comfortable.
Do you see yourself going into fashion once you graduate?
I want to become a lawyer, history professor, or songwriter. But I eventually want to have my own bow tie company. I’m trying to learn how to sew right now.
(09/15/09 4:15pm)
On this campus, it is refreshing to spot someone with a look completely her own. Even more refreshing is when a person wears this look with confidence. Part of what makes junior English major Allie Binaco so stylish is her open attitude toward fashion and her willingness to work even the most unusual pieces into her look. She’s bold and always keeps it interesting. Instead of appearing flawlessly put-together, Binaco chooses to break the rules of fashion often too closely followed by others and make things her own. She masters the art of imperfection.
What are you wearing?
I got my dress at a boutique in Point Pleasant, N.J., the slip-on is from my mom’s closet and I bought the Frye boots in New Hope, Pa.
And your jewelry?
My grandpa is really into estate jewelry. He goes to auctions and buys all of this bulk junk jewelry. I stole these necklaces from him. Most of it just accumulates in our attic.
Where do you shop?
I really like thrift and vintage stores. I find a lot of my clothes at the Salvation Army and Goodwill. This summer, I lived in Washington Heights, N.Y. and there were so many little cheap, gaudy stores with really awful looking things. It’s fun to play with them and work them into my look.
What inspires you when you’re putting an outfit together?
I’m a texture person. I love contrasting colors, textures and fabrics. When I’m in a store I like to buy individual pieces as opposed to copying whole looks.
Do you find that your style changes a lot?
I get into phases. I’ve gotten really into cutting up Hanes T-shirts. Recently I’ve been wearing an excess of necklaces. Sometimes I want to wear the same shirt all week and I just wear it in different ways.
How did you dress when you were younger?
I definitely was experimental when I was younger. I would find things that were ridiculous and want to wear them. I still do that.
When did you go blonde?
I went blonde in March of last year. It was orange for a while because the hair dressers couldn’t get it the color I wanted. This summer, I went to a cosmetology school in SoHo to get my hair done and I was this girl’s final project, and she put blue in my hair. I was just like, “You do what you want, you know best.”
How do you feel about standing out with your look?
I’m a firm believer in being you and expressing yourself. It’s funny because my family hates my hair and my tattoo. They always say, “Why are you wearing that? We get it, you’re making a statement.”
What would you say to someone shy about standing out?
Find something that gets you excited, whether it’s a style, piece, color, fabric, or design. Run with it and make it your own.
(09/01/09 3:24pm)
When I’m on the hunt for someone to feature in this column, what attracts me most to a person is a distinctive sense of style. This person does not resemble anyone else. He or she does not flash the latest trends, his or her outfits are never too predictable and he or she always looks fresh. There could be something slightly unusual about the style. Maybe the student has a story to tell. Most importantly, the student makes me want to look twice.
Nupur Patel is one of those interesting characters. The best thing about her is she never falls victim to fashion. She hates to shop, she never over-analyzes an outfit and she doesn’t own a purse.
What are you wearing?
My dress is from French Connection and my shoes are Steve Madden.
What kinds of clothing are you drawn to when you walk into a store?
I’m not attracted to a certain style of clothing, but mostly I’m attracted to clothes that are pretty conservative, don’t stand out too much, and grandma clothes.
Grandma clothes?
I like to pretend I’m a grandma, wearing clothes like really comfortable sweaters and really loose clothing. I don’t like to wear tight clothing at all. I like to move around in my clothes.
So you hate tight clothing. Anything else?
I never wear clothes that show the name brand. I don’t like to be ostentatious with my outfits.
How do you decide what to wear when you are dressing in the morning?
I just go on a whim. I usually have a feeling about what I want to wear, but I don’t really put time into my outfits. Sometimes when I’m bored, I like to dress up according to a theme, like pretending I’m a boy, or Minnie Mouse.
Do you ever accessorize?
No, I like to keep it simple. I don’t even own a purse. I hate dragging it along. I hate baggage. I just love my backpack.
Where do you typically shop?
The stores I find the most interesting clothes in are Anthropologie and Free People. I love their style. I hate to shop. If I see something I like, I’ll just buy it. I usually don’t even try stuff on.
Do you like to wear a lot of colorful outfits?
I like to wear color. It just makes me happier. I’m not a fan of black.
Do you find that your style changes a lot?
My style is always changing based on my mood and my personality. I don’t think that anything in my closet necessarily makes sense.
(04/22/09 12:00pm)
Larissa Caraballo, Senior
Major: Criminology
What are you wearing?
I'm wearing a black-and-white pinstripe vest from Kohl's, a black skirt from H&M, white boots from Hot Topic, argyle stockings and a pinstripe fedora.
Are you a bargain shopper?
I'm definitely a bargain shopper. Most of my wardrobe I probably got on sale. Thrift stores are also great places for bargains.
What's the key to bargain shopping?
Patience. You have to be willing to spend time looking through all the aisles. Some days you won't find anything, other days you'll find tons of good stuff.
What's in your necklace?
It's a die from Dungeons & Dragons. Most of the things I wear are geek-oriented. I'm proud to be a geek and I'm not afraid to show it.
Tell me about your tattoo.
It's inspired by "The Nightmare Before Christmas." It's been my favorite movie ever since I was a kid. I had to make it my first tattoo. There was no question about it.
Your style seems to have somewhat of a Japanese influence.
A lot of my fashion is inspired by Japanese subcultures and comic book art. Japanese comic book art is so varied. You have the realistic costumes, the crazy ones and the more hardcore. They resemble a child's dream, in a sense.
What else is your style inspired by?
I go through a lot of phases. Right now, I'm in a pinstripe phase. I had a punk phase way back in the day. I had an '80s phase when I wore tons of color, jelly bracelets and my mom's teal blazer. I even went through a '60s phase when I would wear go-go boots.
Why do you go through so many style phases?
It's just fun to mix different things and try out new personas. I don't feel right if I'm not wearing something interesting. Personally, I just like to be as crazy as I can while I still can. Fashion is such a great way to express yourself on so many different levels.
(04/08/09 12:00pm)
Miguel Manalo, Sophomore
Major: Interactive Multimedia
What are you wearing?
A white Oxford shirt from the Gap, a gray and green striped cardigan from Urban Outfitters, black acid wash skinny jeans also from Urban Outfitters and black argyle slip-on Vans.
How would you label your style?
Not to sound pretentious, but I can see why the way I dress would be called subversive. I like to wear things that are out of the ordinary. I like the irony of wearing a tie with jeans and sneakers. I guess my style is somewhat like that of a hipster. At the end of the day, I wear what I like and what I'm comfortable in.
What do you think of the hipster style in general?
The hipster style is a move toward simplicity, not so much labels. It's about the mentality. If I'm in a social scene, I think I should look good. Hipsters are people who give a shit about how they present themselves to others.
What does your style say about you?
I'm a person with a big mouth and a lot to say, and I think my style says that. Loud style goes with a loud mouth. My "peers in fashion," as I like to call them, would be the ones to lean toward the turquoise skinny jeans. That means they've got something to say. A quiet kid doesn't wear clothes like that. The kid who rolls out of bed and throws on a sweatshirt is saying, "Just don't bother me."
Do you ever accessorize with loud colors?
I tend to stick to muted tones, like blues, blacks and grays, but I'm attracted to bright colors and I want to add more brightness to my wardrobe. I wore a red shirt the other day, and people were like, "Wow, I didn't even realize that was you, Miguel."
When did you start getting into fashion?
I went to Catholic school before coming to the College, so I always had to wear a uniform and fashion never even entered my mind. Coming here, I'd wake up and there was no uniform for me to wear, and I'd have to think about my clothes. I became more self-involved coming to College.
Why do you like fashion?
I like fashion because how we present ourselves is very important. It says a lot about how we think of ourselves and what we want others to think about us.
What would you say to those who don't care about fashion?
To the kids who wake up in the morning and don't care how they look, if you really like yourself, you should put some thought into what you wear. Wear what you think makes you look good. Maybe your day will be a little bit better.
(03/25/09 12:00pm)
Alex Bachert, Sophomore
Major: Journalism
What are you wearing?
A lace dress from Anthropologie with black leggings underneath. My boots are Timberland.
What about the jewelry?
Some of my bangles are my mom's and some my friend bought me when she was in India. My earrings are from Urban Outfitters.
Where do you like to shop?
I really like Free People and Anthropologie, but they can get expensive. I don't really believe in spending a lot of money on clothes. I like H&M and sometimes I find cool things at thrift stores. There are some great thrift stores in Philadelphia and even Trenton and Ewing.
How do you manage to find good things in thrift stores?
I like to search through the racks. Basically, anything that looks weird or ugly I'll pick up. Even though other people are throwing them out because they're out of style, it's fun to work them into my look.
When did you start getting into fashion?
I feel like fashion is something that you just feel naturally. When I was little, my mom and I used to get into arguments about what I would wear to school. Then in fourth grade I started going to Catholic school so I had to wear a uniform every day. I still tried to funk it up with pink shoes or a flower in my hair.
Does your style reflect who you are as a person?
I enjoy expressing myself and dressing how I feel on the certain day. If I'm in a crazy mood, I'll put on really colorful things. If I'm more relaxed, I'll wear darker colors.
Do you have any favorite pieces of clothing?
Once I find something I like, I'll wear it all the time. I love to wear my black corduroy pants. I always wear boots because they make me feel taller. I love to wear this ring I got in Italy. It has a little compartment in it that opens up. In medieval times, kings and queens used to hide poison in them.
Does your style change a lot?
Definitely. It depends on what mood I'm in. There was a time when I would only wear dresses, then I had a white t-shirt phase and another obsession with stud earrings. For a while, I was really into bright colors and a lot of patterns, but now I'm straying away from that. I'm very eclectic and I'm willing to try to put anything together. I like to combine things that you normally wouldn't think would work.
Is there anything you don't like?
I hate, hate, hate matching. I purposely try not to match.
(02/25/09 12:00pm)
Leo Mahaga, Senior
Major: Criminology
What are you wearing?
Black Levis skinny jeans, a blue button-up from Pierre Cardin, a Ralph Lauren tie and slip-on Converse.
Why do you wear mismatched Converses?
It looks awesome. I bought them with the purpose of mismatching them.
Where do you shop?
Urban Outfitters usually has a good mix of things. Sometimes it's a little pretentious and organized, but every now and then you can find something cool. I just got a pair of yellow skinny jeans from there, which is pretty sick. I love American Apparel, but I wouldn't consider myself a hipster. I don't own enough T-shirts.
What is it that you like about fashion?
I love learning about other people's styles and interests and crafting my own. I'm really into art. Your outfit is your first canvas.
When did you get into art?
In high school I was a comic book artist. I was very interested in Asian comic book art and I liked that a lot of its characters have less of an emphasis on muscular detail and more of an emphasis on clothes on really thin characters.
Has Asian comic book art influenced your style?
I pretty much mirror that style to some extent. Since I have a thin body myself, I'll wear skinny jeans, a thin tie, and other close-fitting clothes. It's a really stream-lined, long, sharp look. When I started drawing a lot of anime, I noticed every little detail about clothing and I just thought, why shouldn't I look like that all the time?
What else is your style inspired by?
I like to take conservative styles and pizzazz them. I don't wear a lot of things that are outside of the box technically, but I'll wear them in unusual colors and color combinations. I like to mix the old with the new.
Do you have a favorite designer?
I'm really into Marc Jacobs. He's very much about taking the usual and making it unusual, which is what I like to do.
Do you have an opinion on anyone else's style?
I feel like a lot of people think they don't have the time to wear something different, but it doesn't have to be time-consuming. If you have a particular shirt that's your favorite, why not wear shirts like that all the time? Make it fun, it'll be your own thing. Make every day's outfit a fun outfit.
(02/11/09 12:00pm)
Liz Milnes, Sophomore
Major: Art History
What are you wearing?
"Banana Republic jeans, a blazer from Urban Outfitters and L.L. Bean duck boots. I wanted to wear my five-inch Michael Kors platforms today, but it's snowing out."
Tell me about your jewelry.
"I got the bangle in Jamaica over winter break. The watch is Nixon and the earrings are from Forever 21. I like bulky jewelry. I love gold, and occasionally I'll mix it with silver. I hate platinum. I hate any girl who wants platinum in her wedding ring. It's tacky.
Do you like fashion?
"I like fashion because it's another way for me to express myself. I feel like I'm good at it. I know my body and I know how to dress it. I view fashion as another form of art. It's just a different medium."
Where do you get your inspiration?
"I get a lot of my inspiration from 'Sex & the City.' I love Carrie Bradshaw. She puts her outfits together in very clever, unconventional ways. I love the fashion in the movies Wes Anderson directs, like The Royal Tenenbaums. Everything Margot Tenenbaum wears in that movie is absolutely gorgeous."
What does your wardrobe consist of?
"My wardrobe has a color pallet. I like muted tones, so I wear a lot of browns, charcoals, grays and navy blues. I hate patterns. I only like plaid. I love men's small white V-neck tee shirts. I wear them all the time. They're kind of my trademark."
How would you label your style?
"I'm classic and structured. I have somewhat of an androgynous style. I often purchase men's clothing because their lines are more structured and geometric. I like things that fit close to your body. I hate that Bohemian style, or anything too loose or flowy."
I'm going to assume there are other trends you hate.
"I can't stand it when people wear Uggs and a North Face jacket at the same time. It's just an easy way out: They're not putting in any effort to show their individuality. I hate Vera Bradley totes. They clash with everything. I don't like those dress-up sneakers. I like my Dunks and my Tims. I hate it when people wear their College logo sweatshirts and sweatpants to class. Why can't you just put on a pair of jeans?"
Whose style do you like?
"I love Natalie Portman's style. She's like a modern-day Audrey Hepburn. I think that Angelina Jolie is one of the classiest women of our time. And Jennifer Lopez is just so fly."
(01/28/09 12:00pm)
Nikolaos Dogas, Sophomore
Major: Music education with a concentration in voice
Tell me about your outfit.
I'm wearing a Christian Dior button down, black jeans from the Gap, and Bass driving moccasins, without socks. My glasses are Dolce & Gabbana.
Dior?
I actually found this in my basement. It was my dad's from the '80s. I like to wear older things.
So you like vintage?
I think vintage is cool. A design or pattern doesn't necessarily have to be modern-day chic, but you can bring it back and make it look good. Fashion is always changing, and every day you see trends from the '60s,'70s and '80s that have been reinvented.
What are you inspired by?
I don't think I have one specific inspiration right now. I do like high fashion ads. I subscribe to GQ mainly for the ads. The models are like characters: They portray a total image.
Do you read the magazine?
No. I don't really have time to read the magazine, nor do I want to. I don't need someone telling me how to dress. I think fashion is all about expressing yourself, so there's no point in wearing something to impress others because it's fashion to someone else. Fashion is an art. And everyone has his or her own interpretation of what art is.
Where'd you get that watch?
The watch is Hugo Boss. I got it at a department store called Attica when I was in Athens two summers ago.
Do you travel a lot?
I go to Greece practically every summer.
What's that in your hand?
They're Greek worry beads. They're called Komboli. Every summer when I go to Greece, there are all of these old Greek men sitting in cafes . and they just sit, playing with them. It's tradition.
Have your travels influenced the way you dress?
I think in Europe, people are more willing to experiment with fashion, hair and accessories. It's very exotic. In America, men are too concerned about defending their masculinity, and it shows in the way they dress. In Europe, people are more free.
How would you label your style?
Modern classic. I would say chic, but it's not. Some days I dress Americana preppy, others I look like Eurotrash. Yesterday I was wearing a disgusting plaid shirt. I like to portray a new character every day.
(03/05/08 12:00pm)
On Saturday students gathered in Brower Student Center for a night chock-full of childhood nostalgia at "I Grew Up in the '90s," sponsored by College Union Board (CUB).
In brainstorming for a theme that would attract students, CUB members looked to Allie Binaco, the event's head coordinator, for ideas.
"When I applied to be in CUB, I thought it would be fun, because I grew up in the '90s," Binaco said. "I just thought of things I liked to do when I was young. It's corny, but fun."
Walking in, one was greeted with familiar sounds: the songs of the '90s. Bush's "Machinehead," Eurythmics's "Sweet Dreams" and more boy-band hits than one could dream of were blasted through the speakers by a live DJ. Students took part in a Skip-It tournament to the beat of the music.
Alex Bachert, freshman English major, especially favored the piles of hula hoops scattered on the floor. "I was in the mood to groove!" she said.
Along with the music and dancing, there were plenty of games for the students to participate in, all of which were oversized.
A jumbo "Operation" game, as well as "Connect Four," were two of the more popular attractions. Students also gathered around games of giant "Pick-Up Sticks "and "Jacks." Many students challenged each other to rounds of oversized chess and checkers.
Other popular games included "Twister," and students also competed with each other in inflatable boxing and bungee runs.
When they won, they were given a ticket for the raffle. Prizes in the raffle included nostalgic '90s items like as a boxed set of "Full House" DVDs and collectors' edition "Simpsons" episodes, along with pricier items like a flat-screen TV, iPods and a hi-fi music system.
Many students gathered in one of the rooms upstairs to "BeDazzle" their clothing and tote bags with rhinestones, while others played retro video games on projector screens in a larger room.
A fortune teller was featured in another room, along with a henna tattoo artist. Re-runs of episodes from popular '90s TV shows like "Boy Meets World" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" were also a hit.
"The whole event is very versatile," Katie Walsh, sophomore education and women's and gender studies major, said. "It's fun for all ages and the whole stud is filled up with all the activities."
Craftier students also had many activities to choose from. Aside from the "BeDazzler," a table was dedicated to make-your-own Gak.
Students made wax hands and airbrushed their T-shirts. There was also a caricaturist and airbrush tattoo artist.
As in any successful event, there was an abundance of food and snacks circulating the floor. CUB members, dressed appropriately in overalls, passed out Ring Pops and Fruit Roll-Ups to sugar-craving students. Baristas mixed up strawberry daiquiri and piña colada smoothies.
"These are awesome," freshman education major Katie Brideau said. "They're free and come fully equipped with neon swirly straws."
Students seemed appreciative of all the hard work, thought and energy put into the event by CUB members.
(12/05/07 12:00pm)
A diverse crowd of students gathered Friday in Kendall Hall to witness the finale of Experience Asia Month and to enjoy performaces by the Johnny Hi-Fi band, Def Poetry Jam artist Asia and comedian Mark Saldana.
The audience was full of enthusiasm as Johnny Hi-Fi took to the stage first at the event sponsored by the Asian American Association (AAA). Eric Hsu, lead singer of Johhny Hi-Fi, in recognition of the crowd's excitement, expressed his appreciation by saying, "Wow, you guys are awesome! Is this because it's the last event of the semester? Well, it's our last show of 2007!"
Labeled under the genre "Asian-Britpop" by critics, the music of the band is primarily positive and upbeat. Smiling fans swayed from side to side as Hsu sang lyrics like, "Wanna do your best before you end up wasting another day."
With the exception of a few slower-paced songs, the majority of the music played by Johnny Hi-Fi was light-hearted and energizing. After jokingly encouraging the audience to participate in singing the lyrics to "Do-Re-Mi," Hsu said, "Now I don't even want to do a sad song anymore."
"They came here two years ago," said AAA member James Huyuh. "They're still good as ever."
After Johnny Hi-Fi, a tough act to beat, came Asia, a poet previously featured on BET's "Def Poetry Jam." Asia immediately captured the audience's attention when, before even introducing himself, he recited the fast-paced verses of his poem "Breathe," which stressed that "anything worth happening happens between the inhale and exhale of breath."
After his first poem, Asia introduced himself in a rather informal fashion. He made sure to get across to his audience that his poems don't exactly resemble those of Robert Frost. "If I see you doing this (makes motion of snapping fingers), I'm going to throw rocks at you," Asia said. "This is not Barnes and Noble."
Before continuing with his poetry, he said, "Not everything I say is going to be pretty." Asia continued, "But I promise it's going to be beautiful. Sometimes the ugliest things in life are the most beautiful."
Such inspiring words led Asia to mention his experience with battling testicular cancer. He said having something to live for made him want to fight for the right to live, which caused him to turn to poetry as a way to express himself.
Asia's dramatic and inspirational poetry seemed to instantly captivate and uplift the spirit of the audience. "His words were very strong and moving," Elizabeth Teng, a member of AAA, said. "(He made me realize that if) I could choose to be remade, I would choose the way I am now."
Once Asia left the stage, comedian Mark Saldana opened his act by saying, "I've got to tell you man, this town is fucking boring."
He then proceeded to joke about the name "The College of New Jersey" by saying, "Was that named by the most unimaginative man ever? What kind of shoutout can you give to that?"
The LA Times labeled Saldana as "The best Indian ... if not Asian comic in the country."
"I couldn't stop laughing . not even for a second," Alex Bachert, freshman English major, said.
The majority of Saldana's jokes focused on race and ethnicity and how "it's tough to be Indian."
"I don't like being Indian," he said. "I'd rather be white or black - or maybe not white."
Despite the relatively small crowd, the audience was lively and demonstrated a great appreciation for the cultural entertainment presented to them.