Fall Follies Full of Fun
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Oct. 31, 2014 | Though it was a day for spooks and specters outside, the Hospital Lobby Gallery was very much alive and in altogether more uplifting spirits during the Halloween noon hour as employees gathered to enjoy the 2014 Fall Follies talent show.
The event, presented by the Arts of UAMS council, featured four acts of musical talent and another impromptu performance, all emceed by George Hankins-Hull, UAMS chaplain, whose singing of “Happiness” opened the show and whose tales and jokes punctuated each pause between acts.
On a related note, it was the first-prize-winning UAMS Pink Glove Dance competition video, to the tune of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy,” that opened the show. The video earned $10,000 that went to the 20th Century Club’s Lodge, a local nonprofit that provides housing for cancer patients undergoing treatment. The charity was designated by UAMS as part of the contest.
Following the video, Brindy Richardson of the College of Health Professions offered a bewitching performance of “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked, complete with black hat, tutu and striped green socks.
In keeping with the day, called to the piano only as “Luke,” an impromptu, unscheduled player performed an on-the-spot selection of “The Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera before Kirk Kimball of Information Technology took to tickling the ivories with a bright, original composition entitled “High Adventure.”
Karlene Case, of Labor and Delivery, took the stage next in Minnie Mouse ears and offered up a sometimes sing-along, always crowd-pleasing rendition of Joel Hemphill’s “He’s Still Working on Me.”
Finally, the College of Nursing’s Jená Scott offered belting, soulful encouragement with Smokie Norful’s “Run Till I Finish,” very ably accompanied on the piano by Marcus Murphy of Academic Services.
With a thanks to the talent on display and a reminder that friendships make the best ships, Hull ended the show. However, for those who missed it, the performances can be seen online at arts.uams.edu/youtube.