COAR brings varying talent
2 min readAERIEL MARILLAT
What is better than combining community service and good performances for a casual night out? University of Mary Washington Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) hosted its annual Spring Variety Show on Saturday Feb. 8, 2014 in Dodd Auditorium.
As the lights dimmed on the full house, the hosts introduced the show’s opening act, UMW’s very own Save the Arcadian.
After an outstanding performance consisting of three songs from the band’s new album, they began to raffle off prizes.
The prizes consisted of various gift baskets donated from some of Fredericksburg’s favorite businesses such as Riverby Books, Soup and Taco, Pickers Supply and many others. All of the money from the raffle went into helping the alternative Spring Break trips.
A member of the COAR staff, junior psychology major Madeline Moravitz said a few words about Alternative Spring break and what the profits of the night were going to.
Every year during Spring Break, a group of students travel to Florida, Mississippi or North Carolina to assist neighborhoods and families rebuild their homes.
The small groups work with Habitat for Humanity in order to help families and communities in need. The money raised that night went toward funding transportation and other miscellaneous fees the trips require for students to bring their volunteer work to these locations.
“We’re not professionals, we’re just students,” Moravitz said.
Humbling the crowd, she talked about the trip and the reasons she went on the trips.
Following the group’s singing and dancing routines was a 15-minute intermission with a slide show including pictures from previous Alternative Spring Break’s.
UMW Breakers were next to take the stage, entertaining the crowd with their lively and upbeat moves. Continuing with the dancing theme, Praise Dance gave an emotional performance. Last but not least, UMW’s Bhangra Beat closed the show with their crowd pleasing and energetic dancing.
The show ended with an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience that included UMW Students as well as members of the surrounding communities.
“I am obsessed with Bhangra, they always get me pumped. And Save the Arcadian is one my favorite bands. They rule this school,” said sophomore Sarah Etherton.
The night proved to be a success as COAR raised a generous amount of money to go toward a good cause, and UMW, once again, put on a spectacular night of variety.
