By By Karen DeMarco
United by song, dance and a desire to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, students packed Hofstra USA last Thursday night, raising approximately 74 supply items and $1,300.
Throughout the night, students sampled food, dancing, comedy acts, musical performances and poetry.
Some acts attracted up to 100 students at a time, many of whom brought money and other donations.
“I came to enjoy some of the performances, the free food, definitely the free food and of course to help out some of the Katrina victims,” freshman Mike Silver said. “It’s nice to help out and do extra-curricular things around campus.”
A variety of sandwiches, chips, sodas and juices kept the students coming back for more.
“[I came] for the food, to be completely honest,” said freshman Alex Ceskauich, adding that the performances he saw were “pretty cool.”
One of the most widely enjoyed groups to perform was Imani, who dressed in red, white and blue and danced a hip-hop routine, which captivated the audience.
Ashley Gray, a sophomore and Font production manager, said she liked Imani best, but enjoyed the entire event as a whole.
Font members also used their talents to support the cause, reading several of their favorite poems, mostly upbeat pieces.
“All the poems talk about coming together and how we are all connected through humanity,” said sophomore Alex Steinberg, a member of Font.
Members of Nonsense were the next on stage, performing several skits, some generating more laughter than others.
One of the most well-received skits was “New Orleans Survivor,” which poked fun at the racial discrimination allegedly occurring in Louisiana.
The largest crowds came during the second half of the show, especially during the band performances and solo acts like Elyssa Goldstein.
Goldstein, a junior music major, played on a small electric keyboard and drew in quite a crowd with her sweet voice and beautiful melodies.
She dedicated one of her original songs to the victims of Katrina.
Other musical acts included the Hofstra Gospel Ensemble, Sigma’capella, Tole Zacharia, Stephanie Jimenez and an electric guitar duo, Josh Lanier and Alina Gregorian, who called themselves “The Eskimos.”
Bands such as American Sex Machine and The Getaway Drive also played; and Doug Thomas, chair of Hofstra Democrats, performed stand-up comedy.
The ideas and planning for the benefit came from Lisa Giunta, a member of several University clubs including, Students for Life, Hofstra Republicans and Student Government Association.
The first two groups involved were Nonsense and Students for Life, Giunta said, then SGA got involved.
“They [those involved] have all been amazing; public safety, Student Activities, University Relations and Francis Rizzo, who kept updating the Web site for me,” Giunta said.
In addition to several clubs and departments continuing to raise money and supplies, SGA, in cooperation with Greek organizations, is allowing students to donate their Dutch Debits to the relief efforts.
The University agreed to double whatever money is raised in this latest fundraiser.