Fort Smith Four
Covering Local News and Local Issues
Amphitheater—University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Amp It Up! is a Campus Activity Board (CAB) sponsored event. A live band called Small Town Symphony is scheduled to play tonight in the amphitheater. Micheal Phan is the new concert series coordinator for CAB. I had the privilege of interviewing him last week, and he told me that in addition to Small Town Symphony, he was trying to schedule at least two more bands to play tonight.
5:47 pm—I am here at the UAFS amphitheater, but it is empty. The band isn’t here, the CAB isn’t here, and the audience isn’t here. The event calendar says that Amp it up starts at 5:00 pm. I am unsure whether the event has been cancelled or is just going to start later.
5:50 pm—I’m sitting on a bench in the shade under a tree because the benches in the amphitheater are presently in the sun. The air is warm with a pleasant breeze blowing. It feels good.
Live Blog: Amp It Up
Patricia Hofferber
September 21, 2015
5:54 pm—Here come the CAB members. They are setting up snacks and drinks on tables in the front of the amphitheater. I guess that means that Amp it Up is going to happen. I wonder where the band is. I have moved into the amphitheater because part of it is now in the shade. The sound is being set up, and it appears it is being set up with a karaoke machine. It looks like the snacks are chips, popcorn, soda, and bottled water--the usual.
CAB members set up snacks and drinks.
Micheal Phan (standing).
6:00 pm— Micheal Phan informs me that Small Town Symphony cancelled, and no other band could be found in a week and a half so, CAB is turning the event into a karaoke night. He knew for a week and a half that the band wouldn't make it, and never indicated that in the interview last week. So far only CAB members and I have come.
Announcing the Next Concert Series.
6:05 pm— CAB announces that the next concert is scheduled Oct. 15 at 6-8 pm at the amphitheater but does not elaborate on who the band(s) will be.
6:11 pm— The party has not yet started as the group is still trying to decide what to sing, and who will get things started.
Getting Started
6:13 pm— A small group of women have decided to get it started. They begin singing a song I am not even a little familiar with. It looks like they’re having fun.
6:19 pm—The song is over, and once again, there is a debate over who will sing and what songs will be sung.
6:25 pm.—A group of guys take the stage after a long debate. I hear one in the group ask, “What are we singing?” Another answered, “Let Me Love You, Baby.” They begin singing.
Campus Police Officer
6:31 pm—More women take the stage. They call out to another one in the audience to come sing with them.
Two Police Officers
6:39 pm—Another police officer stops to enjoy the show. Now, someone is singing a solo country song. I know I’ve heard it many times, but darned if I can remember the title.
Twenty six individuals in the audience.6:47 pm. I--just counted the individuals in the audience. There are 26 persons here including myself. The majority of the group are either CAB members or their friends. Student activity fees pay for this.
6:50 pm.—Nothing new is happening. The performers are singing their lungs out. They do not care if they are on key, they just want to have fun rockin'.
Campus Activity Board Home: campuslife.uafs.edu/cab/campus-activities-board-home
She does so reluctantly, and then I hear one of them say, “The words are on the screen.” Another one says, “That’s why we have the t.v. here.” The music is loud and the girls start singing when a campus police officer stops. He stands and watches the show.