SMU Luau 2015

This weekend I attended the annual Saint Martin's University Luau for the first time. I wasn't hired for the event and only brought my camera on the request of my wife to take a group photo but I quickly learned that bringing my camera somewhere without capturing what I deem interesting is not an option. For the last 16 months I had heard about this event and how much fun was to be had. I was not disappointed. Not in the least. 

First let me tell you about the music. So much fun! Two players, one on bass and a singer on guitar/ukulele, provided sounds that an angry honey badger would stop and sing along to. As a person who avoids dancing in public at all costs I was shaking my hips and humming to the music with everyone else in the crowd. These two gave the audience a great opening act that invited all to embrace a soothing atmosphere for the night. Well done sirs!

You can't talk about a Luau without talking about food. Yummy, yummy, oh so yummy food. My personal favorite was the pork but other palate satisfying options included macaroni, salad, rice and poi. Kudos to the fine people who prepared these dishes. 

Next comes the majority of the entertainment, dancing. These lovely ladies are SMU staff and they started with a fine performance indeed. In all fairness, most of these dancers are personal friends of mine and one is my wife so I just might be a bit biased. :)

The staff were followed by many dances by SMU students. This invigorated the crowd and induced multiple rounds of hoots and hollers. At times the outbursts felt a little awkward to me but the previous weekend I was at a burlesque show so what do I know. On a technical level the choreography looked great and the execution seemed well rehearsed. A nice job by all who made the effort.

For this photographer though, it was the kids who stole the show. Lead to the stage with many others to shake and dance, these three kids were going for broke and brought the house down! I'll let the next few photos speak because words don't do them justice. 

Things got a little intense during the final round. This photo is actually a bad timing shot but how hilarious does it look, right?!? All three were named winners and in all fairness received prizes. So many smiles emerged on the faces in the audience and on stage. 

I feel safe in saying you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone in attendance who didn't have a fantastic time. The night was filled with smiles, laughs and great performances. I will keep an eye out for next years Luau and save that date ASAP. You should too!