Soothing love songs, low lighting, and white roses set the mood.
Hughes-Trigg Ballroom was full of “Phenomenal Love” Tuesday night as Black Men Emerging presented their third annual program to honor the love of women. The event included dancing, acting, singing and musical performances by BME members and volunteers.
The story, written and directed by senior Chibuike Okoro and junior Cornelius Smith, followed a man’s journal as he detailed his relationship with is true love. Scenes included flashbacks through his life, including dance numbers and song. There was even a bit of stepping courtesy of BME members and accompaniment by a live band.
The story, which Okoro and Smith had worked on since last semester, focused on the ups and downs of love. Some audience members were in tears by the end of the program, when Okoro summed the story up with a theme.
“Life presents you with special moments and special people, don’t let your special someone get away,” he said.
During intermissions from the story, dancers performed and small scenes were acted out. One break even allowed men in the production to ask a woman in the audience to dance.
“There was a great variety of talented performers who made the entire experience amazing,” first-year dance major Cris Canger said.
Over 100 people turned out for the event, almost doubling the turnout from the first year and well exceeding last year. Increased attendance is one goal the group has with each show.
“We hope for more artistic expression every year,” Smith said.
The group also looks to create a more serious show each year while expressing their vision on a higher level.
Janine Beckles, a junior dance and sociology major, said this year was a success and an improvement from last year.
“I was surprised by the level professionalism,” she said.
Smith and Okoro joined forces with Michael Turner, a junior theater major, to create “Phenomenal Love.” Smith said the idea was born out the need to see something more diverse on campus, express love, and portray African-American men in a more positive light.
Although the event focuses on the love of women, it is not limited to romantic love and men are welcome to attend. The idea is to draw a diverse group, Smith said.
The production works on limited funding. Okoro said they primarily use resources within the group such as band equipment and everything else comes out of group members’ pockets.
BME, who sponsors Phenomenal Love, started on campus in the late 1990s as a discussion group for black men on campus.
“Its like a support group to help black men better themselves,” Okoro said.
