Alpha Phi Alpha hosts karaoke night in Le Bijou Theater

On Oct. 4 Nicholls State University fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha will be hosting a karaoke night from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. in the Le Bijou Theater.

All students are encouraged to come out and enjoy a fun, stress-free night.

Students are always looking for ways to unwind from a busy day filled with school and work. Wanting to create a comfortable environment, Alpha Phi Alpha has decided to put a twist on their karaoke night.

“We will mainly be featuring urban music,” said Brendon Bowser, president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

The songs of the night will be centered around artists from this generation.

“I’m always down for a fun night with friends. I’ll definitely try to make it,” said Taylor Plaisance, a chemistry pre-med freshman from Raceland.

Plaisance said she will never forget the fun she had singing karaoke for Waffle Night, especially ABBA’s hit song, “Mamma Mia.”

“When I really want to impress, I’ll bring out Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s hands-down the best karaoke song,” Plaisance said.

Karaoke began in the 1970s, according to the website “Living Languages.” Although its roots are in Japan, karaoke has spread throughout the world and still captures audiences today. A man by the name of Daisuke Inoue is credited with inventing the first karaoke machine. He was what today would be considered a “starving artist,” specifically a musician.

The use of karaoke machines has not changed much since its beginning. Artists would record instrumental music for amateur singers to sing along to and have fun. It was no sooner that business owners began having their own karaoke nights to attract customers. To this day, karaoke bars can be seen throughout the United States.

According to Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s website, the fraternity began in December 1904 with seven founders: Henry Arthur Callis, Charles Henry Chapman, Eugene Kinckle Jones, George Biddle Kelley, Nathaniel Allison Murray, Robert Harold Ogle and Vertner Woodson Tandy. It was the first African American, Greek-lettered fraternity to be estranged in the United States. All seven men were dedicated to helping minorities throughout the nation.

Since its founding at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha has traveled country-wide. The fraternity has been committed to fixing the political, educational and social injustices faced by minorities, especially African Americans, in the United States.

Amongst notable members were Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Thurgood Marshall. Both men are considered great civil rights leaders. Through their brotherhood, active members still hold true to its founding principles of scholarship, fellowship, good character and the uplifting of humanity.