Loyola's (Not-so) Hidden Talent

One event that woke me up to another side of the live music culture of New Orleans took place right on campus. The LU Unplugged night took place last month right downstairs from the Danna Center, in Satchmo’s Lounge. Organized by Loyola’s Black Student Union and open to the public, the acoustic event was more than just another open mic night. From the first note of the first act, I was shocked by the amount of talent held by people around our campus. The performances included vocalists, instrumental musicians, dance, poetry and raps, and each one was extremely powerful. What struck me the most about the performances was every artist had a clear message to state, whether it was about racial equality, gender equality or social justice and each one delivered it with an urgency that was palpable. There was a really progressive, go-out-and-take-action vibe reflected in the audience that made the whole event seem unique and completely authentic. The casual atmosphere inside Satchmo’s welcomes people of all ages to come by or pass through for one act, and the event goes on every year.