Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Total solar eclipse brings out crowds, artists for River Campus day of fun

Friday, August 25, 2017

A once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon was commemorated with a day of musical, theatrical and artistic fun Monday, Aug. 21.

People of all ages gathered to witness the spectacles offered at Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus.

The day began at 10 a.m. with a special exhibit in the Crisp Museum entitled, “Spirit of Discovery,” which commemorated NASA’s exploits and honored Southeast alumna and former NASA astronaut Linda Godwin.

Before commencing with a morning of performances from the music and theatre and dance departments, art tents opened up at 11 a.m. along the outdoor areas for button-making, face painting, temporary tattoos and other art projects. River Campus students and faculty showed off their performance chops with poetry readings, instrumental and voice performances, dance numbers and even a stage combat scene. Every performance contained a stellar or solar element, such as the vocal performances of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Mooning” (from the musical “Grease”), readings about celestial bodies and more. Refreshments were also provided by Kona Ice and Chartwells throughout the day.

Adults and children alike could be seen participating in all the day’s events, and several families were excited to share the eclipse experience with one another.

Spectator Karen Moral and her granddaughter Bella came out to the River Campus to get a seat for the fun and expressed their gratitude at being able to share the experience.

“[My granddaughter] has never seen an eclipse, I’ve never seen a total eclipse,” Moral said. “We think this is a great way to spend our day.”

In addition to locals, visiting artists Alejandra Mares and Xavier Moreno from León, Mexico, who have a gallery on display at Catapult Creative House, provided T-shirt printing.

Director of the Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts Rhonda Weller-Stilson said the events of the day were varied enough that everyone could participate.

“There are things going on all over today,” she said. “We have something for everyone.”

The finale of the day was provided by Southeast’s marching band in the moments leading up to totality. Several spectators then donned their eclipse glasses and directed their attention to the sky for the main event. Lasting only a few minutes, the eclipse was a sight to behold.

Even though another solar eclipse is scheduled to appear seven years from now, the phenomenon that occurred Monday was considered a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

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