Each semester, Campus Ministries hosts one of the most widely attended events on the Iona College campus – and this spring semester was no different.  The Robert V. LaPenta Student Union’s Endzone began filling up at 8:30 p.m. as students filed in to secure seats with a good view.

Those who could not get a good view were welcome to view the entire evening on Youstream. The hosts confirmed that streaming footage had attracted upwards of 200 viewers throughout the course of the evening.

Hosted by Flo Maroney and Pierre Eliezer, the night was kicked off in typical Iona fashion with a piece performed by IC Pipe band performers Brendan Gomez and Sean Poyntz alongside Pipe Major Carl Donley.

Following the opening act was a series of different performers who performed both covers and original pieces. Vincent Masciello broke out his acoustic guitar and sang “Jumper” by Third Eye Blind to a crowd familiar with the lyrics.

Masciello describes performing as a great experience. He said, “It’s a great feeling. I love being in front of people and playing my favorite music. It’s nervous at first, but after the first strum, it’s really just me, the mic and the guitar.”

Following Masciello’s performance was an original song performed by Brian Sears. The crowd listened intently as he crooned the words and sang along to the “na-na-na’s” at the ending. Changing the mood, Andrew Casalino, Brian Pristash and Mike O’Brien took the stage after and performed covers of the up-beat songs “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers and “Halo” by Sugar Ray.

After joking about her fall semester Coffee House moment where she forgot the words to her song, Ranisha Singh took the stage and promised not to forget the words. She did not disappoint as she sweetly sang the smooth song “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver while strumming her ukulele.

Singh describes Coffee House as an excellent opportunity for Iona’s artistic students. “I like the amount of talent at Iona,” Singh said. “Though our arts program isn’t that big, so many students have amazing talent, and Coffee House is a great way to express it.”

Following Singh was Elizier and Gabby Witt. Elizier opened the act by asking the crowd if they have ever been in love. He said, “We experience love… Sometimes in the right manner and right context. Sometimes at the wrong time and wrong context… That’s what we were made to do, we are made to love.” Their duet performance urged the crowd to open their hearts to love.  Following the duet, Witt performed “Fireworks” by Katy Perry and “Ours” by Taylor Swift on the piano.

The night proceeded in a similar fashion. Student Chris Harris performed an original hip-hop routine about his train rides to see his girlfriend in Ronkonkoma, and Sears took the stage again under the pseudonym Robbie Hart and sang a song from film and play “The Wedding Singer.”

Another notable performance involved student Jojo with Campus Minister for Administration and Special Events Jeanne McDermott accompanying her on guitar. She sang a song entitled, “Mr. Jailer,” that she expressed as recalling her Nigerian roots. She sang it with the Egyptian revolution in mind.

Following this performance, Andrew Fiore performed “Butterfly” by Weezer, Jesus Reyes performed a cover of a Nick Jonas song, and Sandy Hunter performed “Kids” by MGMT. After missing her initial cue early in the night due to class, Terra Shelton took the stage and performed an original piece that said, “I think he knows he has my heart, please don’t break it.”

Late in the evening, Coffee House veteran Ryan Oldendorf walked onstage and said, “So it’s gonna be a rollercoaster ride for your ears and your heart.” He did not disappoint by performing a cover of “The South has Spoiled me” by Chamberlain and an original song.

Oldendorf appreciates the chance to perform and showcase his talents at Coffee House. He said, “I think it’s a good feeling to perform in front of people, and my peers, to receive a good reaction.”

Other performances include Will May’s cover of Bruno’s “You’re Amazing” on a wind instrument, Greg Morra, Tom DiCarlucci, and Eddy Matromarino’s cover of “Wonderwall” by Oasis, and Maddie Cimino and Alison Minyard’s cover of “Fireworks” by Katy Perry.

One of the later performances by Pat McLaughlin and Cimino left the crowd on a high note. Once onstage, McLaughlin reminisced about last semester’s Coffee House. He said, “Let’s break the tension, I’m going to tell a dirty joke… Jeanne is like ‘Oh please, no, not again.'” McLaughlin encouraged the crowd to sing along, and the duo performed the well-known song from the film “The Hangover” to the amusement of all in attendance.

Coffee House is an opportunity for talented students to showcase their musical ability to a crowd of their appreciative peers. It is one of the most widely attended student events that boasts a great atmosphere and great performances.