An acoustic end for this semester's "After DARC"

Robert Daly
Staff Writer

Southern’s Drug and Alcohol Resource Center put on the fourth and final installment of the “After-DARC Coffee House Series” for this semester.

Dunkin’ Donuts was once again the spot for this past Thursday’s event, where cups and T-shirts were handed out upon entering. Once again, Michelle DeVoe, a graduate intern at the DARC, was serving coffee behind a counter filled with assorted munchkins. An iPod Shuffle was being raffled off; and at the end of the night, one lucky student would be able to take it home. Students gathered around as the musician took the stage.

This time, a guitar-toting 24-year-old musician going by the name of Syd took the stage, where he sang songs and told stories.

“I do feel we should get to know each other, but without getting naked,” said Syd, as he started tuning his guitar.

Syd is a Vermont-raised man—specifically in Thetford, Vt.—and has a style of guitar honed since he was 16. While playing drums for his then-together band, he was given a half an hour with the guitar on stage. He said that ever since then, he’s performed many shows around the country. Syd said he enjoys the college circuit and has a lot of fun touring.

During the show, he expressed his musical talent with an acoustic version of “Stir It Up Now” by Bob Marley, which lead into “Why Georgia” by John Mayer and “Semi-Charmed Kind of Life” by Third Eye Blind. He continued through a play list of artists, including Kanye West and Weezer. He ended the set with Blink 182’s “What’s my Age Again?”

Throughout the show, Syd had to improvise because he broke a string.

“I don’t break my G-string often, but when it does happen, it’s embarrassing,” said Syd. He put a new string on and continued the show with a sing-along. He did this by playing really slowly, “We’re going to do this like we’re on Valium; that’s a legal drug.” Although his jokes were raunchy, everyone enjoyed them.

Students were pleased with his performance.

At the show, fresh faces were listening to Syd, with frequents sitting up front.

“Tonight was absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed it,” said Laura Foote, a communications major at Southern.

She sat up front and responded to Syd while he entertained.

“It was a quality show, and the best one since the first,” said Josh Opotzner, an undeclared student.

Students gathered around Syd after the show to get autographs and even purchase CDs.

“I’m really happy they’re doing it in the fall,” Opotzner said.

This excitement was in both students in addition to Sara Michaud, the coordinator of DARC.

“It’s been a really fun experience,” Michaud said.

Expect the series to return next semester as Michaud and her team at DARC will work to put on another semester of shows. They will continue to inspire students to stay out of trouble.

His new song “On a Friday” can be heard on Cuban radio stations.

According to Syd, “Fidel is rocking out.”