On Wednesday March 28, the Break Away group, “Food, Justice and Youth,” held a Talent Show fundraiser in Stearns Performance space to raise money for their Spring Breakaway trip to Washington D.C.

A relatively informal event, guests were asked for a $3 donation at the door. There was also a 50/50 raffle with free chocolate for buying raffle tickets.

The evening started out with Ericka Salter and Chelsea Myers performing a ballet dance routine to a Jason Mraz song. They were graceful and poised, and it can’t be easy going first.

Next up was Ryan Downs on acoustic guitar singing a Joni Mitchell tune, “Song about the Midway.”

With Henry Clark accompanying him on mandolin, Downs then performed a beautiful original song called “Resistance.” The lyrics evoke emotion as young farmers are told that they are to become soldiers.

Following this, Miranda Ingram and Coral Bolio performed the duet, “I Didn’t Know I Love You so Much, But I Do.” This a cappella performance was heartfelt and sad.

Next up on the docket was the ear-splitting band, Atrium. Atrium was loud.

The lead singer, Tom Killbourn, forgot or flubbed up lyrics to each of his songs, starting with Lit’s “My Own Worst Enemy.” When he missed his cue, he tried to get the band to start over, but they kept playing the melody till Killbourn picked it up and was able to begin.

The second song this band performed was “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” a Scorpions tune. This ensemble also included Steve Audy on lead guitar, Scott Anderson on bass, Graham Tehrune on rhythm guitar and David Brown on drums.

After another jarring song, all three peppered with four letter words, the band left the stage. Audy remained onstage for a solo version of Tenacious D’s “F*** Her Gently.” Thankfully, this was much softer than the previous three songs.

Liz Beatty-Owens came out after that performance and delighted audience members with a hoop dance to Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Let’s Groove.” Performing moves including neck rolls, shoulder rolls, hand hooping, and backbends, Beatty-Owens was a sight for sore eyes.

Bridget Conway took the stage next performing two numbers.

Adele’s “One & Only” was the first song she performed, and her melodic voice was very well-received.

The second song she performed was Pink’s “Just Like a Pill.”

“Jeffrey Bobby” was called up on stage next. Mr. Bobby, a.k.a. Jeff Greemore of the band “Hair of the Dog,” came out solo with an acoustic guitar to play us some blues. His version of the Allmans’ Statesboro Blues was sweet, followed by Dustin Kensrue’s “Blood and Wine.” He performed one more song, a pleasant sing-a-long, “Wagon Wheel,” a song whose chorus was written years ago by Bob Dylan, but the verses were completed by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show.

An Evanescence song, “Call Me When You’re Sober” was next, well-performed by Amanda Rae Bolduc and Jessie Warren.

This was followed up by Granger Gosnell, performing some fancy footwork with a soccer ball to a lively pan flute song.

After this fun performance we had Liz Beatty-Owens and Allison Dabrowski doing a cup beat with Liz singing along.

Overall the performances were decent, and spirits were high. Leading into break is a great time for a stress reliever like this.

Shani Stoddard and Kevin Kirk were the trip leaders and organizers of the event.

Other students going to D.C. were Ry Beverage, Ryan Downs, Liz Glasser, Danielle Hoppe. Sarah Krause, Sarah Plante, Karissa Ramsdell, Tara Robinson, and Hannah Stanyon.

Students were going to volunteer at the Farm at Walker Jones, an emerging urban farm in the middle of a food desert. This farm helps provide food for children, families and neighbors of Walker Jones Education Campus, a Washington D.C. public school.

According to Stoddard, they raised about $50.