“Bigger Mouth: Columbia’s Got Talent” returned for its second year on Nov. 14. Transforming HAUS into a stage for singing, dancing and comedy, students packed into the first floor of 623 S. Wabash in anticipation for the upcoming performers.
From 7 to 9 p.m., 13 talents performed acts including singing, dancing and comedy. The event was hosted by the Student Programming Board.
Following the style of America’s Got Talent, attendees vote for their top three favorite acts at the end of the night by filling out a form.
Bigger Mouth is one of three talent shows the SPB hosts during the year with a larger version of Big Mouth, which is called “Biggest Mouth” that is held in the spring. Currently, the next talent show has not been announced yet.
Kicking off the night, performers were met with a lively crowd that kept the energy up for all of the acts. The talent ranged from solo artists to full bands and included many musical genres like indie, rock, hip-hop and R&B.
Sophomore fashion studies major, Natilee Strey, attended the event and said that they loved this year’s show.
“All of the bands were incredible,” Strey said. “My favorite performance was Howsblow, they were true rock stars up there.”
One student act, Howsblow, got students on their feet and engaged in their music. An indie rock band composed of bassist Daniel Cook, guitarist and vocalist Daniel S, and Joáo, the drummer, the band performs next on Dec. 4 at Baseline 2239.
While most of the acts were music-based, comedy group Phat Dragon Improv got audience participation for their stand-up routine.
Students like junior theater major Aurora Lowther attended the event to support their friends. Lowther came to support Ella Malarkey, who was the second performance of the night.
“I’m excited to see my friend perform,” Lowther said. “Also, as a theater major, I like this kind of thing.”
President of SPB, Jasara Goldsborough, was happy with the turn out of the event, noting that this venue had a more “intimate” vibe to it than the larger venue used for the Biggest Mouth event. The event was also sponsored by Happy Coffee, which was offered to students during the event.
Magic Michael, also known as Michael Kowalkowski, a sophomore fine arts major, felt apprehensive about the smaller stage at this semester’s “Bigger Mouth.” Last semester, when he performed at “Biggest Mouth,” there was a larger space, giving him more room to perform.
Despite the stage being less spacious, Magic Michael made it work as he danced both on stage with his signature chair he dances on and in the isles of the room.
“I think the performance went well considering the smaller stage,” he said. “It worked out in the end.”
After voting concluded, singer Rejon Strong secured third place, Sangram claimed second, and the first-place winner was Speedbump. The band members of Speedbump rushed onto the stage to celebrate, while the crowd applauded all the winners.
Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco
