Aaron Vehling

Varsity Night Live started swinging Friday night in Zorn Arena with the sounds of UW-Eau Claire’s Jazz Ensemble I.

Special guest trumpeter Charlie Davis, who has played music heard on “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy,” played with the ensemble. This portion of the show ended with “America the Beautiful” and a standing ovation for Davis.

“I like to see all the talents people have,” freshman Emily Weber said. “And I especially like the musical aspects of the show.”

Pianist Joe Schneider appeared next and invited the crowd to sing along to his rendition of Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.”

Next up was the guitar duo of juniors Alan Hunt and Dave Brown who performed “What Would You Say?” by the Dave Matthews Band.

Hwa Rang Do/Tae Soo Do took over the stage with a high-energy martial arts demonstration. High jumping kicks and the breaking of boards with body parts sent cheers and sounds of astonishment through the crowd.

Between the performances the master of ceremonies, comedian Billy Burr, kept the crowd laughing. Burr is a regular performer on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” He also has appeared on “Last Call With Carson Daly” and Black Entertainment Television’s “ComicView.”

Burr entertained the audience with monologues about everything from politics and hunting to modern technology.

Before intermission, senior Joe Rand of the Singing Statesmen and junior Jackie Thomas of the Women’s Concert Chorale were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. This marks the third year in a row that students from these groups have been crowned king and queen.

The Singing Statesmen opened the second half of the show, filling the arena with their voices.

The dance team performed a number, which was followed by a monologue by freshman Sarah Chiodo. A performance by the student a cappella group, The Innocent Men, closed the night.