Karaoke night livens the Java Spot, vibes

Zachary Panicacci performing “Turn the Lights Down Low” by Josh Turner. Lily Merritt | Washtenaw Voice

By Claire Convis
Staff Writer

Students and faculty gathered in the Java Spot for a lighthearted night of singing, laughing and eating cookies with fellow karaoke enthusiasts. The event was held by the International Student Association.

Bethlehem Yimer, a 20-year-old business administration major, is responsible for putting on the event. Yimer—who is a member of the International Student Association at WCC—said that because WCC is so diverse, karaoke night is a chance to meet people from other cultures.

“It makes me feel so great that total strangers can talk for two seconds and figure out a song that they can sing together,” said Yimer. “Music is an international language… it transcends boundaries.”

“No matter what language you’re singing in, people can tell if it’s a sad song or a happy song,” Yimer said.

From pop to metal, from country to indie, from classic rock to Disney melodies, The Java Spot was popping with music, voices and cheers from the audience.

Yimer said that her favorite song to sing is “Hello” by Beyoncé. Yimer expressed a desire to get involved in more student clubs on campus, including Phi Theta Kappa, The Entrepreneurs Club and the Intercultural Communications Club.

“It’s a great time to get to meet new people, share your hidden talent and eat cookies,” said Kailee Moretto, a 19-year-old medical office administration major who attended the event.

Bara Youness is a 23-year-old WCC alumni who still attends some WCC open mic events.

“The thing with karaoke is that you aren’t supposed to be good,” said Youness. “It’s really for anyone.”

Youness sang several songs, including the Disney songs “Out There” from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from “Mulan.”

Amber Ingram is a 20-year-old business major who happened to be sitting in the Java Spot when the karaoke singers began to grab the mic and belt out the tunes.

“I didn’t know this was going on, but I’ve enjoyed listening to the singing,” Ingram said.

“Summer Lovin’” from the musical “Grease” was one of the songs that friends Zach Panicacci and Todd Cloutier sang together. Panicacci and Cloutier performed in musical productions throughout high school, including “Grease,” “Oklahoma,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Pirates of Penzance.”

Panicacci, a 19-year-old going into theoretical physics, said that karaoke night is fun because, “you see a lot of people that you wouldn’t necessarily see around school.”