Ben Smidt

It was a night of jokes, music, laughter and awe as students, alumni and visitors gathered at Zorn Arena Friday night for UW-Eau Claire’s annual Varsity Night Live!, which kicked off Homecoming weekend.

This year’s master of ceremonies, comedian Bobby Tessel, flew in for the event from Los Angeles. He has appeared on both “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

The Florez-Stanton-Vaughn Band played as the crowds poured into Zorn Arena in anticipation of the event.

Following the Florez-Stanton-Vaughn Band, the Eau Claire Jazz Ensemble performed.

After more stand-up comedy from Tessel, junior Joel Bowlsby and sophomore Bobby Mulrennan took center stage with their acoustic guitars and unique singing.

“I could listen to those fellas all night,” freshman Kit Casey said. “They’re stellar.”

A demonstration from Hwa Rang Do/Tae Soo Do martial and healing arts thrilled the crowds. Energized movements, weapons, use of meditative power and self-protection were all on the group’s agenda as they awed the audience with high kicks, splitting boards and shattering wooden beams.

“I like the precision and power of the martial arts,” freshman Bill Verthein said.

Of course, no Homecoming would be complete without the coronation of the new king and queen. Junior Craig Gumz from the Singing Statesmen and senior Kelly Koster from Women’s Concert Choral were named king and queen. The two made this the second year in a row that the king and queen have represented these two groups

“I knew I had a good shot,” Gumz said after the show. “So many guys were helping. It’s great to be one of the boys in blue tonight.”

Koster was also pleased with her crown.

“I felt very proud to be part of Women’s Concert Choral,” she said. “Campaigning brought us all closer together.”

The Singing Statesmen brought in Act II of the Varsity Night Live! excitement with their music. To conclude their performance, all former Statesmen were invited to the stage as director Gary Schwartzhoff announced, “Once a Statesmen, always a Statesmen.”

Following the Statesmen, was We One, a hip hop musician.

To conclude the night’s musical performances, Fifth Element, an a cappella group of six men, wooed listeners with resounding harmonic voices.

Women’s Concert Choral, winners of the campus “Yell Like Hell” competition, also performed their Homecoming cheer.

“It was a great show, I really enjoyed myself,” junior Eric Sporakowski said.