When I first heard the theme for this year’s SPOT, “The Big Catch-Up,” I have to admit I was a little skeptical. I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to sit through a two-hour long recap of a year that many people (myself included) considered to be pretty rough. When I sat down in my seat and watched the lights slowly fade as the variety show began, I didn’t expect much.
I am happy to say, however, that I was proved wrong. The hosts did an amazing job of keeping the audience engaged, using the original theme to their advantage. While I waited for a dig at the politics of 2016, I was pleasantly surprised that the hosts instead chose to focus on some of the more positive aspects of the past year. They proved that dance crazes and Internet memes can unite a divided world in a way that negative quips can’t.
If the hosts did a good job, then the musical acts did even better. Every SPOT, I am always happy to see talented individuals make their way onto the stage to give performances that, in some cases, I didn’t know they were capable of. But while usually I walk away from SPOT with one or two musical acts in mind that I didn’t particularly like, this semester’s variety show left me with no ill-feelings towards any of them. From the SPOT band serenading us with nostalgic 2016 songs, to parodies about freshman couples and translated languages, to expert singers and instrumentalists (bagpipers included) who never cease to amaze, it’s safe to say that our campus has a plethora of students with outstanding musical talent.
While the hosts and music were amazing, my favorite part of SPOT was the comedy. I found myself relating to the video about doors being held open, and even a day later saying the “Things You Overhear at Houghton College.” I also discovered that one of the possible penalties for breaking the Community Covenant was being tackled by accented cops I didn’t even know Houghton hired. And of course, digs at those overly-affectionate freshman couples are always a must. My favorite comedy act, however, was Carpool Karaoke. Seeing your favorite celebrities singing in the car is one thing, but seeing the dean of the chapel doing it is even better. Nonetheless, my favorite part of the whole act was professor Gaerte admitting what I think we all kind of already knew: he is the boss.
Overall, I felt that all those who were involved in SPOT did an excellent job, whether they were the hosts, part of the acts, or a part of the tech team. Although I haven’t seen too many SPOTs in my time here at Houghton, I can safely say that this one was my favorite by far. Our ability to laugh at and with ourselves is something that brings us together, and Spring 2017 SPOT proved it.