Vista Online

Fall/Winter 2001

Giving With An Artistic Twist

Thursday Night Live

Beginning with an exuberant greeting from the two MC’s, another night of open-mic-style entertainment is underway. It‘s pandemonium, or so it seems, as both groups and solo acts come together to put on a one-of-a-kind show every month. The juxtaposition of serious poetry, humorous skits, musical acts, the inevitability of cross dressing, coffee girls, and a live D.J. makes for an entertaining night, especially for those of the artistic persuasion. TNL (Tuesday/Thursday Night Live) gives Greenville students, and occasionally even faculty, an opportunity to share not only their artistic abilities, but also their monetary gifts.

TNL holds importance not only as entertainment, but also as an opportunity for students to contribute to the less fortunate. The small cover charge of a few dollars goes to a different charity each month. Many college students feel as though they don‘t have the resources to give to charity, whether those resources be time or money, but TNL proves that the average poor college student can give of their limited abundance.

While TNL has been around for quite a while, participation has declined in recent years. Leadership left without anyone to take up the reins. A few determined students decided to take action, and although it has been a fight at times, TNL has remained. The show, coordinated by Karen Walton, is organized by a small group of students. The two MCs, Mike Dando and Nathan Holbert, line up the acts and write a script to cover set-up time between each performance. Jason Davis, D.J. for the show, assists the coffee girls in advertising. In addition to their responsibilities in advertising, these women serve beverages and decorate for the evening. Still, TNL cannot exist simply within this core group.

The night is only a success if students display their talents and support their fellow peers. “TNL is an integral part of what made this school fun, but for a couple of years it seemed like it went downhill. Now we are endeavoring, and succeeding, to return it to its former glory. It’s something that students look forward to,” states Walton. Thus it has grown in popularity, especially this year, with the freshman class being compromised of many music majors, all eager to make themselves heard. With all the positive interest, both old and new, TNL remains a Greenville College tradition—one of entertainment, and one of charity.

Samanth Olsen

Last updated: July 9, 2001