The Black Student Union hosted jazz and poetry night at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art Thursday.
The event was mellow and inviting with live music and free food including vegetable, meatball, hot-wing and fruit platters, along with fruit punch and water to drink.
The activities took place on the back patio of the museum parallel. The patio had several places to sit, and the tables were candle-lit.
Pink ribbons were given out, and pink light fixtures highlighted the building in honor of breast cancer awareness month.
"We have guest performers including singer Oya, comedian Swift and the house band, 'Therapy,'" said Faith Kashaa, a sophomore in pre-pharmacy.
This was not just for invited performers only, but also an open-mic event available to anyone in the community wanting to attend and participate.
"We like for students to come out and have something different than the normal college parties and on-campus gatherings," Kashaa said. "This is an event where we can be grown and sexy adults enjoying calm music in a nice setting."
The ambient sound of a nearby fountain and light playing of jazz by the band, "Therapy," filled the air as guest arrived.
"It is my birthday," said audience member Ken Tilt. "My wife and I have attended this event in previous years, and it seemed like a nice place to be tonight."
The night began with some stand-up comedy and poetry by the master of ceremonies, Swift.
"This is my first time on the campus of Auburn University and it is awesome," said Swift of the Blacktop Improv Troupe in Atlanta. "When a brother comes from Atlanta and the first thing he sees is a cotton-field in front of this University, it makes me a little nervous, but keep in mind we are here to put on a good show for good people tonight."
According to ijmc.com/blacktop, Swift is a part of the Southeast's leading African American improvisational comedy troupe founded in 1997.
They tour and perform a clean-brand of comedy that is similar to "Whose Line is it Anyway?"
After some comedy and poetry that required finger-snaps, instead of clapping, the music began.
"I am here to enjoy a beautiful night for jazz and poetry with the Black Student Union of Auburn University," said Oya, a singer from Los Angeles, Calif. "I sing many genres from jazz to gospel, and I am going to integrate some of the artists that encouraged me to move forward in the music industry."
Oya opened up with, "At Last," by Etta James. Then a dedication to the hard-working students of Auburn with "Hero," by Mariah Carey.
According to Spiritofoya.com, Oya is a singer and a storyteller who has worked with such prominent artists as Howard Hewett and Preston Glass for a United Kingdom release, "Ready to Mend the Breaks," on the album "Music as Medicine." She also wrote and sang hits "Give it Away," and "Keep Your Head Up High," by the artist Double R, also known as Red Rat.
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