Talented SLU students graced the Wackadoo’s stage at 8 p.m.
Monday to entertain and benefit the Food Drive for Student
Activities Board’s annual Canapalooza. The event drew approximately
200 people, half a trashcan of canned goods and almost $100 for the
cause.

“It was a success; we raised $96 and lots of cans,” said
Katharine Pei, who co-chaired the event with fellow SAB executive
board member Libby Foxx.

There were 13 acts, ranging from a few acoustic guitar
performances, a memorable book reading and a slightly painful Mary
Katherine Gallagher skit. Students could vote for their favorite
act with canned goods or 50 cents, and the acts with the most votes
won prizes, like wings parties at Hooters.

SAB president Eric Immel and friend Dave Palen opened the show
with a raunchy but entertaining Tenacious D song, followed by a
white boy-ified Stevie Ray Vaughn cover.

The next act was a video of Matt Davis’ seventh grade show-choir
performance. Davis choreographed a dance to “Cuban Pete,” and it
was awesome.

The third act was an acoustic guitar performance by “Chris and
Kevin.” They played an impeccable Stone Temple Pilots cover and a
rousing cover of Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer.”

Freshman “Steph” belted out Kelly Clarkson’s “Low,” to
uproarious applause and hollers from the audience.

“Sheena” brought some flavor and diverged from the succession of
cover songs with an impressive hula dance.

The highlight performance of the evening was given by Gone
Fishin’, a band composed of freshmen Blake Fisher, Charlie Barrale
and Diego Roderiguez. The boys played three covers: Guster’s
“Demons,” Sublime’s “What I Got” and Dave Matthews Band’s “Ants
Marching.” Barrale’s soulful vocals with Fisher’s mesmerizing
guitar and Rodriguez’s guitar, with impromptu percussion made for a
spotless performance.

James Meinert sang and strummed an ode to femininity about how
“women can be heroes too.” Meinert was then joined by Immel in a
Beastie Boys rap.

Immel beat-boxed while Meinert rapped like Mike D and showed off
a few Justin-like moves.

“Jen” and Colleen Kiphart did an awkward Mary Katherine
Gallagher skit, which was funny nonetheless. Colleen’s Gallagher
was surprisingly well imitated.

Billy Morrison played a couple original songs on his guitar,
complemented by a Howie Day cover, and was followed by the juggling
circus stylings of Tim Cosentino.

Beyond All Reason performed Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,”
followed by Ellie Craft’s remarkable reading of “The Rainbow Fish,”
which finished the show.

Beyond All Reason won first place and two wings parties at
Hooters, for large-group performance. How ironic. Kevin and Chris
won first place for small acts; second went to Eric Immel and Dave
Palen; and third place went to Gone Fishin’. Ellie Craft won for
solo performance.

The event assisted the Food Drive’s efforts and provided a few
hours of entertainment for those in attendance.