…Okay. So we didn’t really get “freaky” at Eureka College, I just love things that kind of rhyme. But we did have an excellent TIME! (Anybody want a peanut? Ok, I’m done, I promise.)
A Change of Pace
One of my favorite things about Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos is that clients can go on our website and choose players for their event, so it keeps things interesting for us switching partners a lot! August 2015, however, coincidentally landed Mike Sherman and me on the same gigs almost every single weekend. We were in a little bit of a rhythm doing weddings together when we got to pop down to Eureka, IL to play a beginning-of-the-school-year event on campus.
Let me be clear- I LOVE weddings! I love getting everyone dancing and singing together and having a blast celebrating their friends and family, and I have been known to get a little teary-eyed during speeches of complete strangers (wildly unprofessional, I know.) But this trip down to Eureka College was a welcome change of pace, and a trip down memory lane!
Eureka College
Eureka College is nestled in the midst of Eureka, IL, population 5,000. With an enrollment just under 700, the students at Eureka College (alma mater of President Ronald Reagan!) get a unique opportunity to enjoy smaller class sizes and to really get to know one another. With a new class of freshmen every year, the task falls to CAB (Campus Activities Board) to host events to help acclimate them to campus life. What better way to do so than to have dueling pianos in the middle of campus?!
The students came out in droves to place their requests for songs, and we played everything from Billy Joel to Tori Kelly to the “Frozen” soundtrack. In fact, it turns out that “Let it Go” serves as an excellent bonding song for new friends. As students sipped on their lemon shake-ups, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my own college days. (Little known fact about Emily: I also went to a small college in Central Illinois!) I might be a little biased on account of I majored in music, but I think it’s basically indisputable that music brings people together.
The Most Bummed I Have Ever Been About Having to Go Home After A Show
As we were packing up, members of the CAB and some of the other students were being just exceptionally wonderful and helpful. The small town vibe was really contagious at the Eureka College campus, and they were so friendly and ready to offer assistance (and coffee!) at a moment’s notice. And then came the moment which made me sadder than I’ve ever been about leaving a gig. The activity planned for just after we finished playing was a showing of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the quad.
As a matter of fact, they planned to show all eight films over the course of eight weeks in preparation for Homecoming. Two guesses what their Homecoming theme is. I immediately felt a kinship with these students. I actually hung a wooden sign above our back door at home leading out to the alley which says “Diagon Alley.” Driving away, though, I was happy remembering my own wonderful college experience, and thrilled for these young folks that they got to start their college years with such a truly killer combination of events to start blossoming their friendships.
“Eureka!!”
Contacts!
For more information on Eureka College, visit their website. To book Felix and Fingers for your next event, visit www.felixandfingers.com or email [email protected].
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