The tenth annual Cabaret for a Cause was March 22 in Bob’s Place. Students and other members of the campus community gathered to watch musical performances by Bluffton students at the “Up in the Clouds” themed event. Over $1,100 was raised for Lima-based charity Meals ’til Monday from ticket sales and support from Marbeck Center Board and Student Senate.
Fifth-year senior Alicia Loch, a member of the Cabaret for a Cause committee, said Meals ’til Monday “prepares meals for children whose main food source is the school cafeteria food, so they have food to eat on the weekends.”
Performances included covers of The Animals’ “The House of the Rising Sun,” Childish Gambino’s “Redbone,” and VeggieTales’ “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything.” Senior Meghan Gibson also previewed her upcoming recital with a performance of “Phantom of the Opera.” The finale was a rendition of NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation’s “5,000 Candles in The Wind.”
A mashed potato bar was laid out before the show started and was later replaced with dessert cups and cupcakes during the intermission.
In addition to organizing the setlist, running auditions, and planning the event, Loch also participated in three of the performances.
“I’ve been performing since I was five,” said Loch. “Having an opportunity to just have fun and play music with my friends, and just have a good time with everybody for a good cause was something I was really interested in.
Another performer, Dan Gregg, graduated last semester and returned to perform as an alumnus. Gregg said his main reason for doing so was his friends.
“They’re great people,” said Gregg. “I had fun with [Eliz Luersman] last year, and I thought, ‘might as well do it again.’’’
For its tenth anniversary event, Cabaret for a Cause received praise from its attendees.
“I loved it,” said junior writing major Sam Krizek on his first time going to Cabaret. “A lot of the acts had me laughing so much, like Becky Boban’s ‘Smells Like O Chem’ (a parody of Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’). I really loved that one.”
According to Loch, organizing the event was stressful but rewarding.
“We had to work out all the details for all the performers,” said Loch. “But after it happens, it’s so worth it. It’s a lot of fun.”
