Tag: Eisenhower

Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts hosted the Move Mix Festival at the Eisenhower Auditorium on Saturday, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the performance space.

Students, faculty and families had the opportunity to watch a variety of performances including singing, dancing, percussion and more.

Sydney Osinloye, a third-year studying advertising/public relations and international politics, helped run the event as the arts engagement assistant.

“Seeing all the groups that I wasn’t aware of [was my favorite part],” Osinloye said. “Especially the Nittany Ballet, because they’re off campus, so I didn’t know that they existed, but I was locked in when they were performing. It was really good.”

The Move Mix Festival highlighted singers from all across campus. Penn State’s a cappella groups Shades of Blue and None of the Above and solo performers including Livi Hepler and Keira Gail took the stage.

Whether someone was a fan of beatboxing, circus performances or rock bands, they had the opportunity to tailor their Move Mix Festival experience to their own interests with performances simultaneously going on in the lobby, on the patio, at the loading deck and in the conference room at Eisenhower.

Brooke Ajay, a third-year studying music but switching to biotechnology, came to the Move Mix Festival to support her friend Livi.

“I really liked Keira who performed ‘Linger,’ Ajay said. “That was probably the prettiest cover of it I’ve ever heard.”

With a packed schedule from 2 to 8 p.m., the festival highlighted a number of different dance styles in addition to all of the vocal performances.

Hip-hop dance group Raw Aesthetic Movements (R.A.M.) Squad, Nittany Ballet and belly dancer Shannon Bishop were just three of the dance performances Move Mix had to offer.

Not only did attendees get to see dancers perform, but they also had the opportunity to participate in workshops, including the Black Cat Belly Dance workshop taught by Bishop.

Brianna Zelek, a third-year studying forensic science, stumbled upon the event and decided to take part.

“I was literally just walking by — I was looking for a place to study for the afternoon, and I heard the music, and I was like ‘Okay, I’m going to go check this out,’” Zelek said. “I don’t really know what the event is, but I do kind of want to stay and see what’s going on.”

The Move Mix Festival brought the Penn State and State College community together through art, music and dance.

“Everyone in the arts community is pretty open, and nothing is really side-eye-worthy,” Osinloye said. “There’s really no judgment, and you don’t get that vibe from anyone. If they see something different, it’s a compliment rather than a judgment.”

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