Appreciative audience confirms, STM's Got Talent!

Spending a night at a Newman Coffeehouse is like listening to a mixed tape given to you by a friend – you don’t know what is going to be on it, but you’re willing to trust that friend, hit ‘play’ and just go with it.

If you were looking for a weird and wild – but entertaining - ride, the January Coffeehouse didn’t disappoint.

The evening, hosted by MC Sam Medernach, included a comedy set revolving around a dead language, Ukrainian Christmas carols sung by a 13-member choir, and a surprising performance on recorder (of all things!).

The evening was kicked off in fine vocal style by Michael MacLean, STM Campus Minister and mentor of the Newman Centre, on solo guitar.

This was followed by the University of Saskatchewan Ukrainian Students’ Association (USUSA) choir, who sang three seasonal numbers in Ukrainian while showing off colourful scarves and shirts in the style of their traditional homeland.

First-year STM student Catarina Eremondi, a confident ‘hospitis’ then took the microphone to bring the ‘comoedia’ with a set of standup centred around her love of learning Latin. The only problem is we never did find out the Latin word for humor. Oh! Wait a minute….

Celeste Woloschuk tickled the keys on piano while singing Nature Boy by Eden Ahbez and Take This Body Home by English singer-songwriter – and TikTok star - Rose Betts.

As any seasoned parent knows, when the recorder comes out it’s time to head for the exit, right? Not so fast.

Clive Duran, a fourth-year psychology student, held the room in his thrall with two beautiful tunes on his elementary school ‘axe.’ Calls for more kept him in the spotlight with an impromptu rendition of the theme to SpongeBob SquarePants. Attendees at the event will be glad to hear Clive has committed to returning for the March Coffeehouse, recorder in hand!

Before intermission, Henry Thiessen performed two songs on guitar and harmonica, including an awesome rendition of Neil Young’s Helpless.

The break included trips to the Beba Project’s refreshment stand, where sweets and beverages on offer were raising donations for young parents living in poverty, as well as an informational booth provided by STM Just Youth Development & Peace on promoting farmers’ rights in developing countries and responsible consumption.

The vocal and guitar talents of Ben Hillis were back on display at the Newman Coffeehouse. He performed Only Children by Jason Isbell and his own original composition.

Sam Medernach brought three songs to the party. Like Real People Do and Cherry Wine, by Hozier and Gregory Allen Isakov's Big Black Car. Usually it’s my daughter who introduces me to new talent (that is, cool songs recorded after 1989), but in this case, I owe Sam a solid, as Isakov’s music is now going on my playlist.

His father, Richard Medernach, Manager of Student Services at STM, and an open mic mainstay, then sang Cody Weathers’ Dance With Me Anyway.

You could tell the show was building to something big, and sure enough, famed Coffeehouse icons MederMac 'n Cheese (Richard Medernach and Michael MacLean) then reunited onstage to sing the Beatles’ Eight Days a Week and Feeling Groovy.

With Celeste Woloschuk joining the boys for the finale, the evening was capped off with a rousing version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight.

The Newman Center will offer a spring Coffeehouse in March, so dig out the lyrics to your favourite songs, or dust off you preferred elementary school instrument! Spoken word, juggling, comedy, poetry and what-have-you are all welcome offerings. Contact Michael MacLean at mmaclean@stmcollege.ca to sign up or ask questions. Students (not just STM students), staff, faculty and the general public are invited. All are welcome!

Let’s start planning for the next mixed tape!