Student talent shines at Christmas Coffeehouse

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Holiday-themed music, hilarious interluding videos, skillful dance routines, and cheesy inside jokes characterized the Liberty University Student Activities’ 2019 Christmas Coffeehouse Friday night in the Vines Center.

Coffeehouse is a bi-annual late-night event, presented by Student Activities, that gives students a chance to showcase their many talents. The event is one of the most popular and heavily attended campus activities each semester.

Friday’s two-hour, ticketed coffeehouse drew thousands of students to the arena, some dressed in Christmas sweaters, Santa Claus hats, and other holiday apparel.

“It was enjoyable,” said Parker Rhodes, a senior digital media video student who has attended each Coffeehouse event since becoming a student. “It’s a nice way to bring more of the Christmas cheer to campus.”

Campus bands performed popular Christmas staples, including “Mary, Did You Know?” “White Christmas,” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” among other notable titles.

The group Ginger and the Snaps performed “O Come, O Come, Emanuel,” beginning with a traditional hymn-like opener before transitioning into a heavier, hard rock tempo. The band incorporated stylish guitar solos and intense drum fills, a deep contrast from the song’s original grace.

In between performances, Student Activities Event Staffer Landen Swain emceed games and cracked Liberty-themed jokes about Bird Scooters, MyPillows, and campus parking.

“As a digital media video major, I really enjoyed watching the videos that students created, as I know the work that can go into a project like that,” Rhodes said. “I also saw some friends in them, so that was cool, too.”

Talented student musicians and creative digital content wasn’t the only flair displayed. Several dance crews, including the Liberty Flamettes and Divine Call, choreographed unique Christmas-themed routines that were met with booming ovations.

Drew Lafferty and his Swing Set concluded the night with a jazzy rendition of “Jingle Bells” while students filed out of the Vines Center.

Next semester’s coffeehouse, “Spring Coffeehouse: The Late Night,” is scheduled for March 28.