Gaslight variety show to celebrate 50-year anniversary

By Jenna Capelle

Cardinal Staff

Gaslight, a music variety show that serves as a fundraiser for the senior class at Saint Mary’s University, will celebrate its 50-year anniversary with an exclusive alumni show.

Associate Director of Young Alumni and Student Relations, Bob Fisher, is responsible for coordinating the alumni show, which will feature various performances from former SMU students throughout the decades.

“The original Oldie Moldie All-Stars from the ‘70s will be performing with Chris Kendall and Mike Charron as emcees,” said Fisher.

The Gaslight alumni show is the first collaboration between the Alumni Relations office and the senior class officers. A reception will be held for alumni one hour before the 7 p.m. alumni show on Saturday night in the Toner Center Dining Room.

“Gaslight is a wonderful tradition for this university,” said Fisher. “It’s a memorable experience for students from every generation.”

Senior class officers, Tina Swanberg and Danielle Strebel, will stay busy over the next few weeks preparing for the Gaslight fundraiser by running auditions, publicity, advertisements and ticket sales.

“Since I have never performed in it and have only been on the audience side, I am really excited to be a ‘behind-the-scenes’ person and make it all happen,” said Strebel.

The senior class officers and Fisher encourage students to audition for Gaslight from March 30 to April 1. In honor of the 50th anniversary, the top two acts that score the highest ranking in auditions have the privilege of performing in the alumni show.

“It’s a variety show, so we make an effort in auditions to enter all different types of music,” said Swanberg. “Every person watching the show can find something they like.”

There will be two student shows at 7 and 10 p.m. on Friday, April 20. The alumni show will be at 7 p.m. and the student show at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. Tickets can be purchased during lunches the week prior to the show in the Toner Building or at the door. The shows will take place in the Toner Center Dining Room.

For more information about Gaslight, look for campus emails, posters and the Facebook page. The senior class officers can be contacted at tswan08@smumn.edu and dmstre08@smumn.edu.