Motown music filled the air Thursday as students performed tributes to their favorite artists from the1960s popular genre.

All that could be heard from the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union was the sound of Motown and cheering as performers lip-synced to music by Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and other Motown artists.

Otis Seawood, a senior family and consumer sciences major, emceed the show, entertaining the audience with contests and comedy between acts.

After a performance of the Isley Brothers song “Shout” brought audience members to their feet, a few students were brought up to the front of the room to participate in a “Shout” contest.

Participants were surprised when they were instructed to dance instead of “Shout.”

Kenuu White, a freshman business management major, liked the “Shout” performance the most.

“I think it was fun and it’s nice that they tried to do an event that was from back in the day,” White said.

Partway through the event, audience members became spooked when one of the large speakers fell from the stage.

“I guess the Motown ghosts got a little upset,” Seawood said.

Other performances included songs from The Marvelettes, Dream Girls and Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson impersonator Mike Leon, who participated in this year’s Yell Like Hell, was a crowd favorite as members of the crowd yelled “I love you Michael” from their seats.

Andre Allen, a junior marketing major, was a fan of the Michael Jackson performance.

“I always liked Motown music,” Allen said. “I grew up listening to it.”

At the end of the night, after most audience members had gone, the ballroom was cleaned up while Motown music played in the background.

Davina Batts, a senior sociology major, still wore her cheetah-patterned Tina Turner costume she performed in during the show while she helped clean up. Batts helped organize the event, along with Jasmine Hughes, a junior family and consumer sciences major.

“All we can say is dedication and hard work pays off,” Batts said.

Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or shbohne@eiu.edu

Freshman theatre arts major Anthony Boyd dances to the Eisley Brothers song “Shout” Thursday evening in the Grand Ballroom.(Amir Prellberg / The Daily Eastern News)

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