From Hollywood Acting to Irish Dancing
GSA hosts Rider-inclusive variety show, raises money in remembrance of friend

By Olivia Tattory


Sophomore Sarah Lydon had been dancing for 13 years when she spotted an opportunity to use her background for an on-campus performance. A sign posted in Daly’s promoted the Gay Straight Alliance’s (GSA) fourth annual Variety Show, and Lydon decided to enter the show as a performer.

Those 13 years paid off Tuesday night when Lydon won first place for her crowd-pleasing Irish dance act.

“I thought it would just be fun to perform at the show, but I never expected to win,” said Lydon. “This is really exciting for me because it was such a surprise.”

The show opened with GSA Vice President of Development Nick Barbati parading on the stage in the BLC Theater as George Michael. He would later be accompanied by GSA president Matt Hanson as Elton John. The audience clearly approved of the duo throughout the show and, with the exception of a handful of performances, it was the focal point of the variety show. Other stars also shined in front of the Hollywood-themed backdrop.

“My favorite act was the Rider Vibes,” said junior Kim Fleming. “Those guys really know talent. Every time I hear them it gives me chills, such a great team together.”

The Rider Vibes, a 10-member a cappella group, performed Gnarls Barkley’s popular song “Crazy.”

Other spotlighted acts of the night included second-place winner sophomore Desmond Hamilton and his impressive beat boxing talent. Anyone looking around the audience during Hamilton’s performance could see that students’ mouths were not jaw-dropped open as a result of anything else beside the awkward yet creative noises Hamilton created seemingly effortlessly with his mouth.

The Rider University Dance Team also won the crowd’s approval for its energetic and exciting performance that earned it third place.

Students from Westminster Choir College (WCC) also performed at the show. In an interesting drum act, four students used plastic containers to create intriguing rhythmic beats, which concluded with a light show on each of the drummers’ sticks.

Donations were encouraged from the audience at the end of each act. The $478 raised Tuesday night was added to the George McGowan III scholarship fund. This donation was the final installment to guarantee the scholarship at Rider. GSA and McGowan’s family had been working diligently to help the fund reach the $10,000 endowment requirement.

McGowan, graduate of the Class of 2005, passed away this summer because of complications from diabetes. A well-known figure to the Rider community, McGowan was very involved with campus activities, including GSA.

“He absolutely loved Rider and everything he did here,” said George’s mother, Pat McGowan. “I know he would have loved the show tonight, it was phenomenal.”

Prior to the event the scholarship fund total was $9,634. With the Variety Show donations, the fund surpassed the $10,000 goal and reached $10,112. Kristin McGowan, George’s sister and Student Entertainment Council (SEC) director, delivered the exciting news to the audience in a few touching, heart-warming words.

“In part because of the donations tonight, George’s legacy will be able to stay at Rider forever,” said Kristin McGowan.

The Hollywood theme of the show encouraged numerous acts from the Broadway show Rent. As a solo act, freshman Lara Wooten performed “Out Tonight” and then appeared again with freshman Mike Wallenberg in the duet “Tango Maureen.”

Barbati pointed out midway through the night that Rent was George’s favorite Broadway show. It may have been coincidental that there were three acts performed from Rent, but Barbati noted it as a tribute to McGowan.

The night was topped off with a hilarious spoof of a scene from the movie Mean Girls. Barbati, Hanson, sophomore Kevin Nardone and GSA adviser Mike Rutkowski were truly amusing on stage as the “mean girls” in the comical Christmas scene from the movie.

“This year the event flowed a lot better than in the past,” said Hanson. “The audience was involved, the acts were great and the energy of the crowd was definitely there.”