UTM’s Psychology Association of Undergraduate Students at Erindale held their annual variety night at the Blind Duck last Thursday in support of ErinoakKids Centre for Treatment and Development. The cold temperatures unfortunately meant that the donations and attendance were on the slim side. Those who attended had come to see favourite performers, judging from the many immersed faces, bobbing heads, and untouched beer pitchers.
The event began with a welcome and introduction by PAUSE’s Mary Soliman and Gaby Sikora, who dropped some classic “What does the psychologist…” jokes between acts. “How many psychologists do you need to change a light bulb? Only one, as long as the light bulb wants to change.”
The night was headlined by a heated performance by the Shift, professor Jeff Graham’s own “boy band”, formed in 1997 during his time at the University of Western Ontario. Lead guitarist Steve Grodzuik, percussionist Gary Hoag, and the dashing bassist David Robertson played a pale orange guitar, a translucent set of orange drums, and a bright orange bass, while Graham’s silky vocals and guitar action held the band together. The Shift’s setlist included modern rock and older rock classics by Pink Floyd and the Beatles, more obscure ’80s and ’90s pieces, and a few original compositions. “We learned this just for you guys,” said Graham, introducing one of the songs. “We learn a new song every 17th year, you know.” The original songs were good enough for a borderline rock fan like me to easily mistake for popular hits.
Meanwhile, the next performer, professor Dax Urbszat, dressed in a biker leather jacket, received a considerable amount of hysterical hooting as he got onstage. He proceeded with much calmer pieces than the Shift’s, ending with his cover of Green Day’s iconic “Time of Your Life”.
The night also included student performances. Ansar Khan sang “I Want It that Way” by the Backstreet Boys, much to the audience’s delight. The fedora-sporting saxophonist Hina Sait played the very familiar tunes “Mambo No. 5” and “Tequila”, as well as the Beatles’ “She Loves You”, prompting two girls at the bar to break into synchronized ’60s-style swaying, and receiving a pressing demand for an encore.
Though attendance may have been sparse, PAUSE still put on an enjoyable show, and, most importantly, raised money for a good cause. For more information on ErinoakKids Centre, visit erinoakkids.ca.
