Fisher Hall at Wilson Memorial Church was transformed on Saturday, May 7th, into a Saturday night “Open Mike” performance space as the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Fusion Club sponsored by the “State of the Heart” Concert to benefit the American Heart Association.
The benefit raised some $370, which the Fusion Club donated to the American heart Association, according to Club President Emily Tang. Some 10 performers or groups of performers took the stage, mostly singers, musicians, as well as one dancer, and one poet. Performers and guests sat at some 10 round tables, cabaret-style.
“The WHRHS Fusion is a club that combines art, music, writing, and community service,” explained Tang. “As a part of our mission to help others use art, we are hosting this open mic night so that all proceeds go towards helping those with high risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes. We chose to donate our profits to the American Heart Association.”
Tang thanked everyone who participated in making the State of the heart Concert successful. “The Fusion Club is very grateful for everyone who came out to support our community, performers and the American Heart Association,” said Tang. “We’d also like to give our highest gratitude to the Wilson Memorial Church for graciously allowing us to use their rooms for the event.”
The students who performed included: Veronica Mu and Allison Horvath singing “Something Bad;” Emily Tang, accompanied by Kunwoo Park on acoustic guitar, singing “Officially Missing You,” and “I’m Not the Only One;” Nikhil Bhat singing, “Not While I’m Around;” Neha Saju reading her original poetry; Edward Cai playing “Latch,” a piano improvisation; Anchal Dhir singing, “Paper Hearts;” Fariha Asim performing two dances from India; Suchir Govindarajan, accompanied by Natalie Kim on electric bass, singing “Goodbye Yellow Bick Road;” Bandon Tang playing solo on saxophone, and Justin Panzarino playing solo on piano, both on individual pieces.
Later, Tang and Panzarino played together on a jazz interpretation of the classic, “Summertime,” as the concert’s final number. Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Owen Bai.
(above) Organizers of the Watchung Hills Regional High School Fusion Club sponsored State of the Heart Concert, on May 7, at Wilson Memorial Church, include, crouching in front, Edward Cai, standing in the middle, from left, Jenny and Emily Yan, Emily Yang, Julianne Lin, Aditi Joshi, and McKenzie Schulyer, and standing in the back, Owen Bai. The benefit concert, featuring “open mic” performances by student singers, musicians, as well as a dancer and a poet, raised some $370 for the American Heart Association.
