Collegio Online

Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: After Hours

Media Credit: Aaron Anders (left) Senior Richard Cook and Ryan Beachner sing a karaoke duet at JB'S Sports Grill located downtown in Pittsburg. Karaoke at JB's is open to anyone 21 or over on Thursday nights.

Media Credit: Aaron Anders Todd Hoover and Lisa Quinteros sing a karaoke duet in front of a packed Tornado Lounge located downtown in Pittsburg.

Media Credit: Aaron Anders Sophomore Michelle Rhoades sings karaoke at Tornado Lounge. Tornado Lounge has their Karaoke Night every Wednesday and is open to anyone 21 or older.

There's nothing quite like watching bar-goers trying their luck on stage with a microphone.

Luckily, the local area offers four back-to-back nights of karaoke, starting with Wednesday nights at Tornado Lounge. The singing begins at 10 p.m., and the bar also offers discounted drinks.

The crooning continues on Thursday nights at JB's, starting at 10 p.m., with canned beers selling for $1. Cristina Bevilacqua, junior in business and cocktail waitress at JB's, says Thursday nights are always entertaining.

"It's fun," Bevilacqua said. "There's lots of people and cheap beer. It's funny to watch the drunk people sing badly."

Mackenzie Garst, senior in psychology, is a regular at JB's Karaoke Night. She says it's not like your average night at the bar.

"What I enjoy most about Karaoke Night is that everyone is upbeat and not afraid to let loose," Garst said. "I plan my week so that I can get all my homework done in time to go to Karaoke Night."

Garst says college students with little money can go and have a good time, and that's what she likes the most.

"Since they recently added $1 beer nights, it's attracted even more and more poor college students," Garst said. "It's a fun, cheap place to go out and that's why I go back every week."

When Friday rolls around, so does Karaoke Night at Bootleggers. Kenny Roedel, owner, says that even though people are often nervous when first taking the stage, they usually work up the courage to belt out some tunes.

"It's one of those deals where everybody is embarrassed to get up there," Roedel said. "But after you've had a few, you think you can. When you get up and do it, nobody makes fun of you, no one harasses you and nobody says you suck."

Roedel says the crowd at Karaoke Night is actually very supportive.

"If you do a good job, there are 100 people that tell you that you did a good job," Roedel said. "It's encouraging and it actually bonds everyone together."

Vanessa Kent, who runs the karaoke equipment, says the singing doesn't really take off until around midnight. She says Karaoke Night is worth a trip to the bar even for those who don't think singing in front of a large group of people sounds like a good time.

"Come over and try it," Kent said. "Everybody has a good time. There are a lot of people who come out and just dance and have a good time."

Pittsburg's four-day karaoke marathon ends on Saturdays at the Country Cove, a restaurant and bar in Mulberry. The singing begins at 9 p.m. and continues until the last patrons leave.

Even for those who aren't into the bar scene, Pittsburg still has something to offer in the way of karaoke. Gorillas in Your Midst holds monthly Karaoke Nights on campus.

Brenton Garrett, a member of Gorillas in Your Midst, says the next event will be held on Thursday, April 24, in the U-Club, downstairs in the student center.

"Bring a couple of friends and come on out," Garrett said. "If you're by yourself, just hop up on stage, sing a song, and the friends will find you."

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