Performers return to spotlight at first STM Coffee House since pandemic
Students, staff and faculty team up for entertaining variety show
By Paul Sinkewicz
“Oh, Coffee House, how I’ve missed you!”
So said inveterate performer Richard Medernach on Friday at the first STM Coffee House held since 2019.
The return of the variety show was indeed most welcome. It was hosted by the Newman Club and other student groups with the support of Campus Ministry, and showcased the talents of STM faculty, staff and students, along with a few College supporters.
Master of Ceremonies Adam Eichorst got things off with a warning: there would be bad, coffee-themed jokes throughout the evening, and the man did not lie. Truly Dad-worthy, but all in tongue-in-cheek fun.
One of the highlights of the evening was the public debut of newby guitar player/singer Charles Smith, professor of political science and unapologetic Tom Petty fan. He teamed up with Michael MacLean to sing You Don’t Know and Learning to Fly.
The playbill also included a new friend of the College, Lutfullah Naiemi, who is a recent arrival from Afghanistan and an accomplished juggler. I think I counted six balls in the air at one point, though it was all a blur and could have been more!
Local stand-up comedian, and former STM student James McBride, also entertained the crowd with his observations and gentle barbs.
The Coffee House had the tastes of the younger, hipper crowd covered, with a performance of Justin Bieber’s Love Yourself and Vance Joy’s Riptide sung by Grade 11 student Sam Medernach. The younger Medernach will be heard from in the future!
While those titles are big hits, many might not have recognized a song from a video game -- Warbringers: Jaina. It was sung hauntingly and beautifully acapella by Campus Minister Celeste Woloschuk.
A STM supergroup closed out the evening. Made up of Richard Medernach, Andre Lalach, Michael MacLean, Celeste Woloschuk and Gertrude Rompré, the quintet performed Fulsom Prison Blues, I’m a Believer, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da and the humourous romp Sweet Violets to finish with a laugh and send everyone home smiling.
So now that the Coffee House is finally back, the next question is: When is the next one? I want more!
