CSUN’S Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and a cappella singing group Acasola held their first annual ‘No Snow Show’ AIDS benefit concert Tuesday evening at the Campus Theater in Nordhoff Hall.

The concert raised money for Youth AIDS, an education and prevention program’ that uses media, pop culture, music, theatre and sports to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and reaches 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with life-saving messages, products, services and care.

Close to 300 people attended in support of the cause, for the performers and for Sigma Phi Epsilon.

‘(The event) exceeded my expectations,’ said Ben Beer, former vice president of member development for Sigma Phi Epsilon. ‘The turnout was amazing and my hope is this will happen every semester.’

Acasola shared the stage with four other groups from the Los Angeles area, Vocal Percussion Radio (VPR), Signature Acappella, Fluid Dynamics and Kosher Pig.

Jared Wolf, the president of Acasola, hosted the show and began by demonstrating a few samples of a cappella pieces for audience members unfamiliar with the style.

With the help of four members from VPR, Wolf performed snippets from hit singles such as Justin Timberlake’s ‘Sexy Back’, Snoop Dogg’s ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’ and Black Eyed Peas’ ‘My Humps’, which received female audience participation.

Wolf, who said he hoped the event would be successful in rasing money, said the event started as an idea between Acasola and Sigma Phi Epsilon. He knew Acasola did not have the financial capabilities of hosting the event on their own but he also knew Acasola did have the talent needed to pull off such an event.

‘I think Acasola need(ed) to be seen to be fully appreciated,’ said Beer, who was an essential part in the planning of this event. He felt Sigma Phi Epsilon could help make Acasola big. ‘I knew that together we could make this event huge. The entire new member class planned this program and they did an amazing job.’

Jason Valencia, a new member of the fraternity who helped secure the venue, felt ‘satisfied with the outcome of the show on account that it is (their) first annual show.’ He was happy to see a large turnout and that the audience was enjoying the performances.

Valencia expected for the concert to bring out a mixed crowd of music majors, the Greek community, professors and students but hoped for the overall CSUN community to show up in big numbers.

In addition to the big turnout from the Greek community and music majors, parents of students were also in attendance, such as Anna Hegarty who flew in from Vacaville, Calif. to see Acasola perform.

The members of Acasola came on stage dressed in Christmas sweaters along with a couple wearing reindeer antlers, and performed several songs including a tribute to the holiday inspired event with their rendition of the ‘Carol of the Bells.’

Following their performance was Vocal Percussion Radio, a newly-formed CSUN a cappella group, who opened their set with a Nickelodeon medley of theme songs from the networks’ ’90s shows. Other songs performed include an original song by the VPR president and ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’.

VPR’s last song, ‘I Kissed a Girl’ which featured a kiss by the two female soloists, riled the crowd up and received several cat-calls from both male and female audience members.
A crowd favorite was the all-girl group from UCLA, Signature Acappella. Samir Malik, a business major, said ‘they had so much talent.’

‘I cannot imagine being up there myself so I give them a lot of respect,’ said Malik.

Acasola closed the show with their top-requested version of ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ that received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Ryan McKenzie, an advertising and marketing major said, ‘I thought (the show) was absolutely amazing. It was better than I expected. It was entertaining and I liked the variety. It didn’t seem like your high school talent show.’

Beer said he expects his fraternity will work more with other CSUN organizations. He hopes Sigma Phi Epsilon will help ‘enhance the overall experience at CSUN and show others that CSUN has more to offer than to go to class and drive home.’