The Perk

November 8, 2007

By Craig Bodenschatz

MBU’s 11th annual music performance expo, titled “the Perk,” was touted as one of the most anticipated events of the year and it delivered with musical highlights and coffee to spare. This year’s “Perk” was highlighted by passionate performances, heavy doses of caffeine and a gigantic glowing balloon.

The social gathering and concert, which lasted from 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 until around 1 a.m. Saturday, was highlighted by a tongue-in-cheek interpretation of “As Long As You Love Me,” originally by the Backstreet Boys. Members of the MBU’s male vocal group, “Closer,” and some of their friends performed the song and, upon entrance, the foot of the stage was flooded by female students, screaming in approval.

Another peak performance of the evening was more serious in delivery but no less outstanding. Ashley Helbig, an MBU junior, performed Ingrid Michaelson’s “The Way I Am,” and awed the crowd. One onlooker observed: “You know how loud ‘the Perk’ gets. Ashley came out to sing and the whole place became quiet. I heard some people asking each other why she wasn’t signed [to a record label].”

The secondary, albeit significant, draw to the event was the unlimited refills of coffee and the wide assortment of pastries. A long row of tables lined the entrance, packed with gooey butter cake, brownies, bagels, sandwiches and muffins. At the end awaited the blessed black java. Commemorative ‘Perk’ cups were also available for $1 each. There were also smoothies until all three of the blenders burned out.

The occasion was spearheaded by Lisa Hessel, MBU’s PR manager, and was funded by the Student Activities Council (SAC). The undertaking involved a complete, but temporary, overhaul of the campus gym. In the center of the ceiling hang the newest addition the “Perk” tradition, a massive glowing halogen balloon. “The balloons can get very expensive, but we were very excited about it,” Hessel said.

She also added that volunteers, most of whom were student from the Student Activities Council and the Student Government Association, stayed until 3 a.m. to clean up. “They did a great job,” she said.

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