Claims of ticklishness abound

December 10th, 2009 | By Andrew Walsh '09 | Section: Opinion

Lately, Karaoke nights have been very popular at Lyle’s Pub and at off-campus destinations like the Voodoo Lounge. On December 13, the College will try to build off this excitement by hosting group karaoke featuring selections from George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” a ticklish oratorio and one of the most famous pieces of Western choral music frequently performed during the holiday season.

As the news release states, it’s open to all who wish to participate and no previous experience is necessary. It’s rumored that it will get quite rowdy, with the audience expected to boo the weaker singers off the stage during the first selection and pour beer on them as they make their shameful exit out of Herrick Chapel. The last amateur singer left standing will be awarded the “Hallelujah Karaoke MVP” trophy and will be automatically named vice-president of the Iowa Choral Directors Association.
The performance may also have an open mic component afterwards, where students are encouraged to bring a bassoon, kettledrum, or their own amateur Early Music ensemble consisting of their friends and perform any work by the German Baroque composer, like his Music for the Royal Fireworks. “It’s going to be off the chain,” commented an anonymous representative of the music department, who added that some participants are hoping to fire up the crowd by dressing up as Handel himself, complete with his characteristic voluminous white wig.

In other ticklish news, Grinnell Dining has announced plans to hold a “Holiday Treat Extravaganza” at dinner on Dec. 16, an event that, up until this point, raises more questions than answers. The website says that it will be “dining staff’s favorite recipes from home—our gift to you,” but gives no further information, and the menu offers no explanation either.

The Grinnell Tickle City Award Committee initially pictured a lavish banquet filled with mouthwatering staples like glazed ham and prime rib, but it has since stopped to ponder whether we are really in store for this great of a gift. When you think about it, “Holiday treats” kind of sounds more like desserts, so maybe that is what we will get. But would they really describe a meager offering of snickerdoodles and gingerbread cookies as an “extravaganza?” I guess we’ll have to wait for the next issue of the Marketplace Messenger for clarification.

The committee is also hoping that that Dining Services will avoid controversy by including every holiday equally, so it will be carefully analyzing the “extravaganza” to see if there is adequate representation of holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Dongzhi, Samhain, and Festivus.

“Messiah” group karaoke and Holiday Treat Extravaganza, you are tickle city!

Have ticklish holidays, everyone.