By KAYLA ROYSTER
Staff Writer
The first-ever Glowfest brought a few dozen students to the St. Joseph’s Hall Auditorium Thursday night. The concert was sponsored by the Public Relations club and live music was provided by bands such as The Bad Mothers (formerly known as The Bonnie Masons), Standby, M!les and Cool J.
The $5 ticket fee for the event went to the PR clubs funds, so they can continue to host events such as Glowfest in the upcoming semesters. Glowfest was a brainstormed by PR club during the fall semester.
“We felt like there isn’t an event on campus that pulls together a bunch of clubs or provides music and entertainment from solely Saint Rose bands,” said Arianna Memoli, a PR club member.
“The light snacks and drinks provided were supplied by other clubs on campus. We felt it would be a great idea to reach out and collaborate with them because we’re new and we wanted to get acquainted, as a club, with other clubs,” she said.
The collaborative effort also provided an opportunity for other clubs to gain access to the student body and get out their own messages without having to create separate events, Memoli added.
“All clubs involved benefit in the end, that was the goal,” she said.
This concert was a result of a club wanting to promote togetherness of the campus, as well an event that would appeal to the many students who call The College of Saint Rose their home.
All bands who played at the event were Saint Rose bands and performed a variety of music from punk to rock. Aside from band, Glowfest also had a set DJ who played recent and popular music. The Golden Knights Dance Team were also in attendance selling sweets such as cookies, brownies, and cupcakes.
“The money goes to our annual showcase on May 7,” said Lizzie Fitzpatrick, a Golden Knights dancer.
Glow sticks were plentiful throughout the evening, as were the props and signs used to take a memorable picture at the photo booth. The décor for the night included fairy lights, huge blow up balls, and glow sticks galore. A couple of seats were scattered throughout the interior of St. Joe’s, but not many of them were filled. The people who attended were too busy taking pictures at the photo booth, getting their face or a body part painted, snacking, playing glow pong, talking, dancing or bobbing their heads to the music.
“My favorite part is the photo booth” said Nailah Airall, a freshman at the College.
Airall’s friend, Qynasa Deveaux, was also a fan of the photo booth.
“It captures us in a fun atmosphere,” she said.
Patrick Flores, the guitarist for the Bad Mothers, was not nervous prior to performing last Thursday night.
“I’m excited to get on stage,” he said before he did just that. “I’d be more than OK with performing again at Glowfest.”
Flores’ bandmate, Brian Chiappinelli, the drummer for the Bad Mothers, performed for the very first time as M!les, his rapper alter ego. Flores expressed great pride in Chiappinelli and his rap career.
The PR Club would love to make Glowfest an annual event and are open to suggestions for ways they could improve or create a bigger turnout.
“Our expectations for Glowfest is that it will be a success, but I guess we have to wait and find out. All we can as for is that people have fun,” Memoli said before the event.
