The Union Program Council held auditions last week for the 7th annual student showcase where students will exhibit their talent to the CSUN community.

The student showcase is a yearly talent competition for CSUN students with more than 700 supporters in attendance each year. Auditions were held last Thursday and Friday for members of the UPC who chose which acts will be performing in the live showcase.

The competition is divided into four categories: bands, dance, vocal and solo performances. There are 10 spots available for the chance to compete at the showcase.

‘The purpose is to showcase CSUN student’s talents to their peers,’ said Shari Lucas, special events chair for the UPC and a theatre and screenwriting major. ‘Students on campus who can sing, dance, or do anything with the arts can come and showcase their talents in front of CSUN students. It’s a judged competition so they get to have feedback from their peers.’

Lucas is responsible for all elements that go into putting on the showcase and has won both the ‘best dance’ and ‘best overall’ trophies in the past with her dance group, Black Rain.

‘It’s a great experience for students especially who are musically inclined and want to pursue that as a career,’ said Lucas. She says that it is good to be involved in the audition process and to perform in front of your peers. ‘Your peers are the most honest and as real as you get,’ she said.

The previous six years have been judged by CSUN students. This year, the judges will include singer Al B Sure and two producers who have worked with rap, hip-hop and pop artists such as Ludacris ‘- who will be performing this Saturday at Big Show 8 ‘- Beyonce, Boyz II Men and Fabolous.

‘This year I wanted to have judges in the field of the music industry to judge them so they can get feedback from people who are in the music industry,’ said Lucas.

The panel of judges are determining the winners based on overall performance, crowd participation, appearance and talent. Performers can talk to the judges after the show if they want to get specific feedback.

Ashley Gordon, a 20-year-old journalism major is a general member of the UPC. She said the showcase is a good outlet for students.

‘It gives students the opportunity to showcase their talents when we have no other program on campus that does that,’ said Gordon. She has been a part of the UPC for three semesters and said she is pleased with the turnout of students who are supporting their peers.

‘There are not many events that we have that we actually pack a full audience, and the showcase is one of them that we do have that does that,’ said Gordon. ‘It’s great to see students come back and give their time to the CSUN community and support their fellow students.’

The UPC develops and implements cultural, recreational and educational programs for CSUN students. Yalonda Baker, 27, a recreation and tourism management major, is the chair of the UPC.

‘The UPC is a council of students that plan events for students,’ said Baker.

There are six different committees that oversee lectures and education, music, arts special events, sports and recreation, and marketing. They plan events for students such as lectures, concerts, trips off campus, and rallies for athletics.

The Student showcase will be held on October 30th in the Northridge center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show will start at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free.