Dominating at the BNU Dance Competition

Since my last post, the University of Southampton’s dance squads competed in the annual Bucks New University dance competition and we completely dominated! Not only did we return to Southampton with a ton of gold trophies to add to our collection, but we also had plenty of amazing memories from the day. Our final and most important competition is the annual Loughborough Dance Competition, which is happening in just over a week! It’s now time to take on any feedback given by the judges from our previous competitions and workout any last minute kinks in the routines. The Loughborough Dance Competition takes place over the course of two days so we’ll be gone for the entire weekend. It was an absolute blast last year, so I’m hoping for another incredible weekend this year. Until then, here are a few photos taken from the BNU dance competition last Saturday.

Happy Southampton dancers with lots of trophies!

This photo was taken during our winning advanced jazz routine! Out of the three squads that I’m in, this has to be my favourite routine to dance, and it was choreographed by a student studying here at Southampton!

Me and the advanced ballet squad girls after the competition.

We are also currently preparing for our annual Pure Dance show, which will take place at the end of March in the Turner Sims, a concert hall situated on campus. This week I’ve had a shot at choreographing the jazz finale section for the show and I’ll be teaching the short routine to the society’s members in our next class. Time really is flying by at lightning speed! Not only is competition season over soon but, after Pure Dance, it won’t be long until it’s time to elect a new Jazz Dance committee and my time as President will come to an end (as I mentioned in my previous post I don’t plan on dancing in my final year).

With so much going on and lots to think about, it’s actually very rewarding being a student blogger. Not only is it fun sharing my university experiences, but in order to do so I also get to reflect over what it is I’ve been doing. When you’re constantly busy this can easily be neglected.

Apart from dance, I’ve also been enjoying the various lectures for the new modules that I’m taking this semester. I’ve recently had a couple of really interesting tutorials which are great opportunities to discuss (in smaller groups), relevant scientific topics, challenges and studies as well as apply some of what we are learning in our lectures. The tutorials are led by PhD students or lecturers who are usually carrying out research relevant to the topics we are discussing in the tutorial, allowing them to share the copious amounts of engaging information they have and often providing a new perspective and better understanding of the subject area.

Furthermore, over the last few weeks I’ve also had a number really interesting (and fun!) practicals for the new modules that I’m taking. These include working with live Madagascar hissing cockroaches for my Evolution module and learning some basic (but essential) microbiological techniques for my Microbiology module.

Lastly I’ve also been making potential plans for the summer break. It might seem like quite a while until then but as I’ve already mentioned, time is just flying by and keeping on top of things and planning ahead is really key!

Kristin

Election week

Voting for the SUSU elections has begun! I’m sure if you’ve been on Highfield campus in the last couple of weeks you’ll have noticed the increase in activity and the sudden appearance of many vibrant banners and posters with numerous names and slogans splashed upon them.

With so many candidates vying for your support it’s hard not to get involved and become invested in the elections in some way. This year several of the candidates are people I know, which has made the elections appeal to me even more than they already did. I also think that now I am in my third year of University I am more conscious of what I actually want from a candidate.  This is because I feel I have a better understanding of how our Students' Union works compared to what I knew in my first year, through my continual involvement with societies and experiencing the general running of the union on a daily basis.

My main involvement with societies comes from my role on the fancy dress society committee. Last week I received an email which was sent out to all committees discussing the organisation of AGMs (Annual General Meetings) - I can’t believe it is time to start thinking about that already! AGMs are extremely important for societies, as they provide an opportunity for every member to discuss the future of their society and voice their own opinions. At the same time the society will hold their own small-scale elections to decide upon the committee for the following year, which not only provides a great way to get more involved in the club’s activities, but also looks great on your CV! On a side note, I can’t wait to get the fancy dress ball rolling again, as our first event of this semester will be coming about very shortly.

For most University of Southampton students, last Thursday was results day – a day that is anticipated with equal amounts of excitement and apprehension. I’m glad to say that I was pleased with my results, which makes all the hard work I put in over the Christmas period seem worth it.

Aside from my various Physics assignments, computer programming exercises and manifesto reading, several of my housemates and I decided to go down the Leisure World cinema in the centre of town for a much needed break. We went to watch ‘The LEGO Movie’ and although the reviews were widely positive, I still had some reservations of my own. However, despite looking like a children’s movie, it is actually a brilliant film that works on so many levels and had me in hysterics nearly the whole time. I doubt it’ll be long before SUSU’s very own cinema, run by Union Films, will be showing it and I will definitely be first in line to see it again!

Dressing up for Valentine’s Day

Just across from the Leisure World is Ocean Village, which some students often forget about because it is right at the end of the Uni-Link bus route and is situated on the dockside. In the summer the docks are a beautiful place to visit and can be viewed from the several restaurants which look out over the water. Unfortunately the February weather didn’t lend itself too kindly to gazing out over all the boats on Valentine’s Day, but we didn’t let that spoil a wonderful night dining at our luxurious sea-front table!

James

Exam results!

Last Thursday was the day of reckoning – the day when we got to find out whether or not all of our hard work (or lack of, perhaps) had paid off: results day! It’s always a nerve-wracking process: logging on to the student portal, sharing in the anticipation with your friends. Nervously drinking tea as you open up your student record. Then you’re there, one click away from the moment of truth, and suddenly you don’t want to look any more. You’re happier not knowing. Ignorance really is bliss, as they say. You brace yourself, and make the final click…

…and (hopefully!) let out a huge sigh of relief! I was in the middle of a lecture when I received my results for semester one, so it wasn't quite as dramatic as it has been in the past, but there was a definite air of tension. Thankfully, I’ve passed, and with grades I’m proud of too. It’s always a relief to know that all those early mornings, late nights and long hours in the Hartley Library were worth it. And to celebrate? Not a night out, but a nice meal at a local Italian restaurant. This is third year after all!

I was up in London (yet again) on Wednesday, for a postgraduate open evening at a university in London. I’m interested in applying for their Food Policy masters programme, so it was my chance to speak to the lecturers and find out more about both the university, and the course itself. I haven’t been to a university open day since I visited the University of Southampton whilst at Sixth Form, so it was a little strange to be doing it again all these years later. It was a rather different affair, too – there was even wine and nibbles available! I’m fairly sure I asked far more useful questions this time around as well. The university is in a great location, and the course looks very interesting. I’d hoped to come away from the event with a little more clarity as to where I would rather go, but, if truth be told, it’s only made things more confusing! We’ll see what happens once my applications are submitted, I suppose.

 The view from South Bank

Ever the tourist!

We even managed to squeeze in a little bit of sightseeing. My Mum revealed that she’d never seen the London Eye (apart from on the television), so a stop by South Bank was a must. At least one of us came away satisfied!

Tayler

Elections season

It’s that time of the year again when campus becomes adorned by the colours of the rainbow, or rather dyed bedsheets, each hanging from windows and sporting a different catchy slogan, manifesto point or candidate name – it can only be election season!

For those of you uninitiated into the sheer madness which is to ubiquitously follow, every year around this time the Students’ Union, SUSU, kicks into overdrive with the advent of the Sabbatical and Student Leader elections. These tend to see vast multitudes of candidates competing for an eclectic mix of roles for the chance to represent their fellow students, drive the activities and policies of their Union, and to make their mark on student life in and around campus through affecting positive change. They’re hugely exciting, fiercely competitive, but most importantly for all involved, a heck of a lot of fun (at the end of the day, the main reason most people put themselves through the ordeal)!

Because with elections come all sorts of people all competing for your attention, your support, and your votes, which manifests itself in the forms of flashmobs, advertisements, banners, clothing, posters, publicity stunts, videos, online manifestos, lecture shout-outs (depending on how happy the lecturer is to let them take place!), club visits and much much more, all in the name of campaigning.

And then, to top things off, the barnstorming “Elections Results Night Live”, taking place at the heart of the Union in its very own nightclub called “the Cube”, awaits, which is always one of the highlights of the academic year. Celebrations, music, and glitz aside, it’s a brilliant occasion full of successes and achievement from the numerous people who have just attained positions from which they may drive the Union throughout the next year, and it always brings to a close one of the more active spells in the Union in style!

Last year I went along to support the wonderful Claire Gilbert – who emerged triumphant as the new VP Engagement!

And it’s not just campaigners and their teams who’ll be kicking into overdrive in the next couple of weeks. The buzz surrounding the election season is such that the incredibly talented, committed and professional media outlets run as part of the Union, namely its magazine, Wessex Scene, television station, SUSUtv and radio station, Surge Radio, alongside other student-led publications, showcase their own impressive abilities on a mass scale through reporting on speculation, debates, polls and all the developments which take place.

Run entirely by students (so if you haven’t already and are interested, there’s really no better time to join up!), the magnificent website hit boosts that these outlets receive during elections season – SUSUtv’s live results night was once viewed by 10,000 people! – is testament to the quality of programmes and material that are often published at this time, and they truly are the best place to engage with the elections by keeping track of the daily happenings in and around SUSU.

Election season brings out the best in the professional-standard yet student-run operations around SUSU – it’s remarkable! (Credit: Surge Radio)

With my final year approaching, I must admit I was severely tempted to join the ranks of brave folk putting themselves forward to run for one of the numerous voluntary roles on offer but, fearing for my degree to an extent (as things start to get more serious in final years, I’ve found it becomes a lot easier to say “no”!), and with a burning ambition to fully realise a Performing Arts project I dreamt up a while ago and would like to work on in my final year (more to follow, if it ever comes to fruition!), I opted against it in preference to have a little more free time to study, relax, perform – and sleep! And as is always the case with the enthusiastic student body which makes up SUSU, there are sure to be plenty of other candidates with fresh ideas and exciting ambitions for the roles who will be brilliant representatives of their respective societies, so I know whoever does end up running will do a superb job.

Speaking of shows… yes, despite what I said about free time to work, I’m somehow in another one! Next week (showing from 26 February to 1 March at 7.30pm, every evening at the Annex Theatre – by the Highfield Interchange!), Guys and Dolls, Showstoppers’ (the musical theatre society) main show of the year, will land in the Annex Theatre amidst all the election chaos, and I’m lucky enough to play a (modest!) part in it – so don’t worry Mum, I have had time to work as well!

It’s a classic in the musical world featuring some larger-than-life characters, and is full of comedy, drama and a touch of cheese which adds to the whole vibe of the show, and with some very catchy songs indeed (“Luck Be a Lady Tonight” and “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat” to name but two of the better known ones!), it should be a cracking watch – so if you have a spare night and feel the need to get away from elections mayhem, please do come along and check it out!

So as ever, there’s ample (some might say excessive!) activities, events and distractions going on in and around the Union, and thus plenty to be getting on with. Elections season is always full of surprises, twists and turns – so if you’re studying here and not already, get engaged with it! After all, given the scale of what goes on, you may soon find it hard to avoid!

Robin

Starting the competition season in Southampton

I had an early start last Saturday, gearing up for our first dance competition of the season! After a massive breakfast and quick check to make sure I had all my costumes and dance essentials packed, I set off to meet some of my squad buddies before making our way to the competition hall. Starting the competition season in Southampton, on our home turf was very exciting. Not only did we want a fantastic day for ourselves but also an unforgettable day for all the other universities who travelled down for the competition. This is the second year that we have held our very own dance competition and it was great to have such an amazing turn out from all the other universities. The entire day was organised by dancers from Southampton who have been planning for months in advance in order to get everything ready. Their hard work definitely paid off and the day was a huge success.

By the time we arrived, the competition hall was already filled with music and crowds of dancers carrying mixed feelings of excitement and nerves. Soon to join was a series of loud and supportive cheers that followed each performance. It was clear that everyone had put in a lot of effort to perfect their performances and there were a number of really outstanding routines. I usually get pretty nervous performing in front of the judges but at the same time it is a total adrenaline rush. The crowd is always really encouraging which in turn makes you want to give them a good performance and show off everything you’ve been working on over the past months. During the day we also had the opportunity to learn a couple of routines taught by the judges which is always fun because it’s usually something different to what we are normally taught in class.  

The atmosphere at the competition was incredible and sharing such a thrilling experience really brings everyone closer together. We waited with suspense for the results and I’m proud to reveal that we placed first with advanced jazz, advanced tap and novice ballet. We also placed second with advanced ballet, novice jazz and novice tap as well as third with advanced contemporary which also received a trophy for best costume. Overall we did extremely well which meant we had a lot to celebrate in the evening!

 Me with our advanced ballet squad before performing for the judges. It’s not every day you get the opportunity to wear such extravagant getup.

Here’s a photo of the advanced jazz squad taken during our performance. We got a great response from the crowd for this routine which really encouraged us to perform to the best of our abilities.

The advanced contemporary squad, ready to start our routine.

Group photo - well done to everyone who came and competed and thank you for such an amazing day!

Lastly here’s a photo from our night out in the evening! Naturally, after doing so well in the competition we needed to go out and celebrate… After a full day of dance we celebrated with an entire night of even more dancing!

Getting so involved with the dance societies has really been one outstanding component of my university experience so far. However, being in the competition squads (and in my case I’m in three of them!) as well as being the president of the jazz dance society is definitely a commitment. I really hope to have a fantastic dance season as I’m planning on making this my last. People are often surprised when I tell them I’ve only been dancing for four years (in ballet it is common to start when you’re very young and many of my friends have been dancing for over 15 years!). I simply worked really hard to try and catch up to others my age because I didn’t want to be stuck dancing with the younger kids when I first started. Before I got involved in dance, I played tennis, did various forms of gymnastics, I took swimming lessons and horse riding lessons, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Basically, I’ve been lucky enough to try a whole range of different sports and activities and I think next year I’m quite keen to devote my time to another new activity (or maybe a few). In particular, I’m especially keen on getting more involved with the conservation society and the caving society. One of my housemates is actually a member of the caving society and she’s been trying to convince me to come on one of their weekend trips since last year. I haven’t been able to go on a trip yet because of my dance commitments (due to squad rehearsals being every weekend). But once the season is over I’m open for a new adventure. I just want to make sure I’m getting the most out of every aspect of university and taking the opportunity to try new things while it’s so easily available. Until then, let’s finish this season off with a ton of amazing memories, so bring on the next competition!

Kristin

Musical outings

It’s been a very busy first couple of weeks to the new semester, and as such the time has simply flown by; exam season seems like such a distant memory! The new term started with a fantastic night out in which I joined some friends going out on a joint History and English social which allowed me to get back in my beloved fancy dress. I was pleasantly surprised with how many people recognised me as Ziggy stardust – one even knew that I was actually the character Aladdin Sane, an extension of the Ziggy Stardust brand created by David Bowie.

A few days later it was time to restart band activities with our first practice session in nearly three months! This was also the first time we have played as a four-piece, finally adding a bassist in the form of my housemate. During the summer we set up the drums permanently in my student house, allowing us to practice as much as we liked. However, during term time I’m not sure my housemates would appreciate hours of metal music being blared from the living room, so we booked a two hour session in a much sought-after practice room down in the city centre.

Whilst most people chose to go as pirates, I went for something a little bit different!

We practiced a few of our old songs as well as introducing several new ones which we had written in our time apart. Although it was immediately evident that some of our tightness as a musical unit had slipped, it was still a productive and ultimately fun session. The key will be to continue with these jams on a regular basis, which is definitely easier said than done when trying to find enough free time in all of our very different schedules.

 Tuning up

The face of pure concentration – trying to master a tricky beat

Friday 31 January was Chinese New Year (the year of the horse to be precise), so as a house we decided to celebrate it with a homemade, albeit small-scale, Chinese dinner. It’s a very rare occasion where we get to cook and eat together as a whole house and it would be nice to do it more often. I know of a few student households where each person takes it in turn to cook for everyone else, although I don’t think that would ever work with my housemates; we all eat at such different times with varying degrees of cooking (in)ability!

Preparing for our Chinese New Year dinner

Now that it is February, sports societies have begun to return to their normal trend, and for me that means the intramural badminton league has started up again. The first match for my team (Physoc Mens 4) was against a side called Legends of Awesomeness and as you can imagine they were pretty good, managing to beat us 3-0. Unfortunately I had to miss our next game on Sunday morning, as I woke up feeling under the weather, so I hope we can find time in the next couple of weeks to rearrange it!

James

All systems go

Two weeks into my final semester and all systems are go. I've been in London again over the weekend to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday, and now it's back to reality! I'm making headway with my dissertation - just over 3,000 words down, only another 7,000 to go! I've also got 3,000 words to write for my Geography module, and a 4,000 word History essay. Somehow I think it might be a busy few weeks! And all that on top of masters applications... I'm looking forward to Easter already! 

I recently began volunteering for European Food Chat, an online platform facilitating discussion around EU food policy issues. The rest of the team are based in France, so we have to collaborate virtually to hold chats via Twitter. We were meant to have our first group Skype last week, but unfortunately the wonderful British weather has been wreaking havoc with my internet at home and I couldn't join - a bit of an occupational hazard when it comes to working across borders!  We’re hoping to hold our next chat towards the end of February, to coincide with the Paris International Agricultural Show, where one of our team will be live-tweeting and taking photos. I’m learning a lot about food policy under the EU, which I hope will be useful both for my dissertation and after university, and I’m really looking forward to working with the EUFoodChat ladies over the coming months – and maybe even getting the chance to attend some events on their behalf!

Fun on the underground this weekend.

A little something to brighten up my journey to London.

I heard from ICS regarding my application recently too – I’ve passed the first stage, and am now waiting for them to allocate me to a charity, which should happen by the end of March. Then I’ll have to attend the second stage – an assessment day. Assessment centres are fairly common, especially for graduate applications, and the University's Careers team run regular mock-assessment days so you can get some practice in before the big day. This will be my first one, so I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but I’m sure it will be both exciting and nerve-racking.

Exploring Covent Garden

The weekend before last I managed to catch up with Florence, who wrote for Life at Southampton last year. It was wonderful to see her again, as the last time we met up was back in October, and I got to hear all about her new job with Teach First. I also managed to squeeze in some exploring around Covent Garden and my first ever trip to Wembley! 

 A very wet Wembley

We didn’t actually go in to the stadium – we were actually going to the cinema – but it was still awesome to see it. Apparently the diameter of arch is so wide you could drive a Channel Tunnel train through it! Unfortunately, we couldn’t spend long looking around, as the weather was atrocious. Hopefully I’ll be able to go back soon, and maybe even venture inside!

Tayler

Little Shop of Horrors

Yep, that time of the year has come around yet again! After three months of focusing on all things degree-oriented (well, mainly, at least!), it’s finally time for the show week of yet another production – and the millions of rehearsals, last-minute details and things to do that come with it, of course, putting sleep at a premium!

This time around, it’s the turn of SUSU Showstoppers, the musical theatre society, with their production of the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors, probably better known by its film adaptation. In essence it’s an all-guns-blazing, utterly bonkers bonanza of a show featuring sadistic dentists, seedy adoptions, perilous propositions, talking man-eating plants (on an epic scale!) and a heck of a lot of cheese to boot, all in the context of a darkly comic yet simultaneously touching musical – performing it all really is a blast!

It’s a far cry from the very much more gritty overtures of Equus, the last theatrical production I was directly involved in (as Director at the beginning of November), but it’s representative of just how many shows, and indeed opportunities, are on offer to students at the University of Southampton, especially when you consider what a small proportion of performers that theatrical societies like Showstoppers and Theatre Group actually make up with respect to the members of the multitudinous other student groups – there’s so much going on, all year round, and everyone gets their time to shine (or indeed two)!

Speaking of Equus, I was lucky enough to take time out of rehearsals last week to attend the Curtain Call awards (billed as the “Oscars of the South”). These were graciously and kindly hosted at the very swanky (it really hit home when a waitress came round our table, placing serviettes on all our laps!) Grand Harbour Hotel in the city centre by the local newspaper, The Daily Echo. Not only were attendees treated to a champagne reception, but also a magnificent three-course dinner accompanied by fine wine, and some top entertainment to boot – talk about a special occasion!

As always, any opportunity to suit up is greatly appreciated and taken advantage of!

Events then led into the awards ceremony itself, with Equus being the recipient of six nominations including Production of the Year, two for Best Actor in a Drama, Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, Best Choreographer and, as a personal nod, Best Director of a Drama. Indeed, SUSU Theatre Group as a whole received eleven nominations (with five going to a show earlier last year, Catch-22), so we were completely bowled over just to be there as a society in such great numbers – it was the most successful round in our history!

To top things off, we were all delighted to witness our very own brilliant President, Sam Dobson, winning a well-deserved Best Actor in a Drama award for his role in the show, where he amazed and terrified audience members alike night after night. Although as a show and society we were unfortunate to miss out on the others (although we gratefully still picked up nomination certificates!), with a couple of other companies having particularly successful years, it was still a night, and occasion, to remember, and was both a hugely enjoyable celebration of all of our efforts back then, as well a timely reminder of just how much talent exists amongst the student body.

I could barely believe I was invited to something so swish!

The incredible production team of Equus, who made it all happen – thanks guys!

But things don’t stand still at University, and I’m fortunate enough to be in a position where the next opportunity is just around the corner, this time in the form of Little Shop. I find myself playing the role of the hapless Mr Mushnik, the owner of an ailing flower shop which is suddenly catapulted to fame and fortune by the discovery of an alien plant species by an employee, Seymour – but, as ever, this comes at great cost to all involved, as the plant’s growth gets wildly out of hand and a lust for blood is afoot!

It’s a barnstorming show which doesn’t treat itself too seriously, while also packing a hefty punch, featuring some tremendously talented individuals on-stage as well as a powerful live band and the most ambitious technical set-up I’ve seen to date in student theatre – it’s quite incredible the level of detail in the set and, of course, the scale of the plant itself, and needs to be seen to be believed!

Plus, personally, the show also offers me the highlights of tangoing, shouting a lot in Yiddish and – eventually – being eaten alive, something I never thought I’d get to simulate on stage! But all in all, it’s a heck of a lot of fun for performers and audiences alike, and is guaranteed to have you humming along on the way home with some cracking music to boot.

A personal highlight of the show – but there are a heck of a lot more! (Credit: Oli Crump)

It’s also the first time I’ve ever been dancing alone and singing into a radio microphone with a live band behind me, which certainly took a bit of getting used to initially when I spent most rehearsals tripping over my own feet and singing far too quietly lest I veer completely out of tune! But a spell of intensive rehearsals last week seems to have brought everything together very nicely, both for myself and the show as a whole, and I’m looking forward to getting out there and being part of an incredibly talented cast and crew who all do what they do so well, on top of being great people to work with. The whole process has been a complete blast from start to finish!

An absolutely massive number of people have put so much into the show, and we hope the result will’ve been worth it! (Credit: Oli Crump)

So if you find yourself at a loose end one evening this week, please feel free to make your way down to the Annex Theatre on campus and check out the show! With ticket prices pretty low and a hugely entertaining evening in store which features massive man-eating plants, why not witness the alien invasion for yourself? And remember – don’t feed the plants!

SUSU Showstoppers’ Little Shop of Horrors is showing on Thursday 6 – Saturday 8 February 2014 at the Annex Theatre (Building 2a), Highfield Campus, with performances beginning at 7.30pm (and a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday). Tickets are £9 for Adults, £7 for Students and £5 for Performing Arts members – with demand high, advanced purchase is recommended at boxoffice.susu.org!

We hope to see you there!

Robin