A recent sold-out concert for Jason Derulo—a second rate R&B singer—provided insight into the artistic interests of many Dartmouth students. On the same night, the theatre group Universes performed Ameriville at the Hop. Ameriville is a show based on the social injustices in post-Katrina New Orleans. However, the show’s attendance, quite predictably, did not rival Derulo’s lackluster performance.
The excitement around Jason Derulo stems from his recognizable name. Compared to some truly obscure artists who have performed at the HOP like Anat Cohen or Bill T. Jones, Derulo is practically Chris Brown. Understandably, the isolation of Hanover can make students desperate for any type of entertainment. There is also an apparent lack of interest in the lesser-known artists. So it’s only natural that a second-rate performer would garner attention, even if his fifteen minutes are almost up.
It’s true; most Dartmouth students are usually overburdened with school, work, and extracurricular commitments to squeeze in that fairly obscure flutist playing at the HOP. When most Dartmouth students think of the reasons for going to the HOP, they are usually related to the many non-art related things, like picking up a package or getting food from the Courtyard Café. Students are only likely to attend a HOP event if their friends are performing in it. The Dartmouth Gospel Choir events, which usually sell out, have a high percentage of student attendants. The same is usually true from other events like Glee Club and Orchestra. Visit any other event at the HOP and you will soon realize that it’s one of the public campus-owned places; elderly townie couples run rampant.
The reason for low student attendance at certain Hop events can also be attributed to logistical reasons. Students are less likely than an older patron to buy their tickets in advance, making it impossible to attend a show. “I know I would lose a ticket if I bought it too early,” said Renee Scott ’13.
While it may seem unfortunate that students would choose a one-hit wonder over some of the world’s most distinguished performers, it’s probably unrealistic to ask most college students to develop such mature artistic appetite. I suppose students already spend a lot of time pondering social injustice and expressive modes in class during the week. Still, its worth taking your evening off to see something new at the Hop this term.
