UVenue is an opportunity on campus to share artistic abilities through arts, but after a slow turnout, UVenue may not continue on campus.
Oct. 18, in the Reagan Theater, students were given an opportunity to express themselves by participating in and attending the UVenue, but this fourth anniversary of the function was disappointing.
According to Jared Maruji, UVUSA Fine Arts Chair, this event may not continue. Because of lack of interest and lack of attendance last week, UVenue may have occurred for the last time.
“If we do it again, there are two things that will influence the decision,” Maruji said. “That is the activities/Arts committees and a display of interest from students.”
Last year’s UVenue event was more of a competition because Battle of the Bands had not taken place. However, this year’s event went back to the original open-mic style itinerary, the way it was two years ago and prior.
Maruji wanted this event to be as laid back as possible, to encompass any and every art form possible, such as poetry and acting, and not just about who’s a better musician or better musical group.
“This occasion was supposed to make people feel welcome enough to open up and share themselves with others,” Maruji said. “Why have more competitions when we already have Battle of the Bands? It seems a bit too much.”
Though the event began at 7 p.m., not everyone who had signed up were on time or had even arrived. Because participating students were not on time, the order of performances was shuffled around, and favors were called in to fill time slots.
According to Steen Hateh, UVUSA Activities Chair, filling a time slot was more fun than not doing anything at all.
“I wasn’t expecting to read this poem,” Hateh said. “But it was really fun, and I wish more could have attended this event.”
Half an hour after the function began, less than thirty people were in attendance, including performers, observers and tech crew. There was some relief by the end of the night, as attendance almost doubled by then.
“Maybe it was lack of publicity,” Maruji said. “A few advertisements were made, but I’m starting to think maybe we didn’t make a big enough push.”
Psychology graduate Chase Boyle took advantage of this opportunity with voice and guitar.
“I saw the poster just today and thought, ‘What a great opportunity to perform and share my talents,’” Boyle said. “In the end, though, it was a little sad to see so few people here.”
