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Students rock around Vines Center stage at Christmas Coffeehouse
December 5, 2016 : By Ted Allen - Office of Communications & Public Engagement
Five days after “Christmas in Lights” illuminated Liberty University’s campus, the annual “Christmas Coffeehouse,” held late Saturday night in the Vines Center, gave students a place to unwind before the onset of final exams and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with more than 8,000 of their peers.
This year’s theme, “Unwrapped,” allowed students to show off their talent with live songs and dances as well as prerecorded videos. On-stage performances ranged from upbeat Christmas carols to duet ballads between male and female vocalists in a variety of musical genres including rock, reggae, and country. The two-hour variety show culminated with a Minion-themed routine by D-Trex, Liberty’s hip-hop team that travels to share the Gospel through dance. Coffeehouse was emceed by Student Activities staff member Heath Hatmaker, a junior Pastoral Leadership major from Knoxville, Tenn., who moderated student competitions between acts.
“Each semester, I am again thrilled with the level of talent that we are able to uncover and display for the rest of the university community,” Liberty Vice President of Campus Recreation Chris Misiano said. “This campus tradition has really become a holiday favorite for so many people, and I hope we continue to develop it for years to come.”
Video highlights included “Manger Things,” a tribute to “Stranger Things;” “Wheeler On That Beat,” featuring Professor of Evangelism and Student Ministries David Wheeler learning modern dance moves; and the music video “Christmas Pools (Nog).”
“The Student Activities staff work tirelessly for the weeks leading up to this event, and their dedication really pays off when so many people are able to enjoy it,” Misiano said. “The acts, the videos, and the host all did a great job. Heath Hatmaker came across like a seasoned veteran, even though this was his first time hosting Coffeehouse.”
Hatmaker also revealed the theme for Spring Coffeehouse, “The Aughts: 2000-2009,” focusing on the decade most current students grew up in. Tryouts for the March 25 show will begin Feb. 20.
Holiday entertainment continues on campus Tuesday with “Christmas on the Boulevard,” the School of Music’s annual Christmas concert starting at 7:30 p.m. in the new Center for Music and the Worship Arts Concert Hall. On Sunday, Liberty’s figure skating and synchronized skating teams will host its annual “PraiseFest on Ice: Christmas Edition 2.0” starting at 5 p.m. in the LaHaye Ice Center. Next Monday, students can dress up in their favorite Christmas pajamas, sings carols, and enjoy skits at a special Christmas Convocation in the Vines Center.
Student Activities hosts hundreds of events on and off campus throughout the school year, with a few more on the schedule for this semester, including an Open Mic night Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Argo Tea Café in the Montview Student Union, and a free night of comedy with John Crist on Friday at 8 p.m. in the LaHaye Event Space, site of two showings of “The Grinch That Stole Christmas,” Saturday at 8 and 10 p.m.
