Parade of Stars Showcases Talent

In an evening that combined Harvard pomp with Hollywood glamour, the Parade of Stars distributed statues last night for the best undergraduate dramatic productions, publications, student organizations and sports, among others.

Despite controversy in recent weeks about the selection process, the Oscar-like awards ceremony proceeded smoothly with awards distributed and performances by some nominated groups.

The crowd in Sanders Theatre was small, filling up the floor and part of the bottom tiers of the auditorium, but enthusiastic.

Led by an animated Masters of Ceremonies Jason B. Phillips '99, who opened the ceremonies with a loving song for the Parade of Stars statue, the show included a diversity of performers.

They included Joe Lin '98 on violin, accompanied by Melinda T.W. Lee '98; two vocal performances by A. Ryan Leslie '98; and a musical number from This End Up, the first-year musical.

A special Parade of Stars dance troupe performed, incorporating dancers from Mainly Jazz, the Harvard-Radcliffe Ballet Company and Expressions.

"It was a great show, and I hope they keep doing it," Phillips said. "I jumped at the chance [to perform] in Sanders Theatre."

Before the show, he promoted his host-style as more than a copy of Billy Crystal at the Oscars.

"Unlike Crystal, [my presentation] will reflect both the positive and negative aspects of the awards show: the positive aspect is that it is a great chance for the College community to have a party, and the negative aspect is that I didn't get nominated," said Phillips, who is also vice president of the Black Students Association and a Crimson editor.

Mary C. Campbell '01, who played the lead role in the Freshman Musical, sang the solo piece from themusical, "Strangers in the Night."

"I'm more excited because I love the acousticsof Sanders, and the Ag [Agassiz Theatre] is theblack hole of sound in the universe," Campbellsaid.

The event also offered the opportunity for somegroups to take center stage once again.

"We haven't stepped in a year and a half, andpeople have doubted whether we still have it, andwe're out to show that we still do," said ShannonK. Manigault '99 who performed with the Class of'99 Steppers.

Star Controversy

Although the Parade of Stars delivered on itspromise of a glitzy Harvard gala, recentcontroversy tarnished some of the event's luster.

"You have got the Emmys, the Grammys and theTonys. Now you got controversy," joked Phillips inhis opening monologue.

Although the comment was well-received at theceremony, some student organizations had becomeupset at the event in recent weeks and refusedtheir nominations.

Two categories, Outstanding Theater Group andOutstanding Music Group (Choral Singing), haddefault winners because the other organizationsnominated had declined to participate. The awardswere given to the Immediate Gratification Playersand Kuumba. One category, for Outstanding ACappella Group, was dropped altogether.

Other students vigorously defended Parade ofStars, saying that the controversy wasmisdirected.

"There are more serious issues for people toget alarmed about than a silly awards show. Anyinitial project is going to have flaws, but theycan work it out next year. The show is supposed tobe entertaining," said Tonika D. Cheek '99,choreographer for the Class of '99 Steppers.

Although Chetanna I. Okasi '98, founder andpresident of Parade of Stars, and Joshua D. Powe'98, its producer, refused to comment to TheCrimson, they emphasized the celebratory nature ofthe show in the program's comments.

"In spite of all the recent controversy, wemaintain that an award's nite which unifies oftenisolated student groups in a celebratory manner isa positive addition to the long list of Harvardtraditions," they wrote.

Masai A.A. Osseo-Asare '00, the winner forOutstanding Lead Actress for her performance in"Songs We Can't Sing," praised the organization ofthe show and expressed hope that the awardstradition would continue.

"It could unite people on campus; I respect thework put into this," she said. "It has thepotential to be a celebration, not a competition."

The winner were:

Band of the Year: B-Side

Show of the Year: Angels in America:Millennium Approaches.

Outstanding Theater Group: ImmediateGratification Players

Outstanding Choral Music Group: Kuumba

Outstanding Concert of the Year: HarvardRadcliffe Orchestra

Outstanding Director: Monica A. Henderson'99

Outstanding Lead Actor: Theodore N. Maynard'00

Outstanding Lead Actress: Masai A.A.Osseo-Asare '00

Outstanding Female Athlete: Allison S.Feaster '98

Outstanding Male Athlete: Matthew R. Birk'98

Outstanding Men's Team: Football

Outstanding Women's Team: Basketball

Rookie of the Year (Male): James R. Blake'01

Rookie of the Year (Female): Dora Gyorffy'01

Outstanding Visual Arts Project: Steve J.Turner '98

Outstanding Political/Social Action Group:Institute of Politics

Outstanding Public Service Program:CityStep

Publication of the Year: Diversity andDistinction

Outstanding Journalist: Baratunde R.Thurston '99

Outstanding Designer: Husani K. Barnwell'98

Outstanding Choreographing: Celia S. Edwards'99

Outstanding Dance Group: Harvard RadcliffeBallroom Dance Team

House of the Year: Leverett

"I'm more excited because I love the acousticsof Sanders, and the Ag [Agassiz Theatre] is theblack hole of sound in the universe," Campbellsaid.

The event also offered the opportunity for somegroups to take center stage once again.

"We haven't stepped in a year and a half, andpeople have doubted whether we still have it, andwe're out to show that we still do," said ShannonK. Manigault '99 who performed with the Class of'99 Steppers.

Star Controversy

Although the Parade of Stars delivered on itspromise of a glitzy Harvard gala, recentcontroversy tarnished some of the event's luster.

"You have got the Emmys, the Grammys and theTonys. Now you got controversy," joked Phillips inhis opening monologue.

Although the comment was well-received at theceremony, some student organizations had becomeupset at the event in recent weeks and refusedtheir nominations.

Two categories, Outstanding Theater Group andOutstanding Music Group (Choral Singing), haddefault winners because the other organizationsnominated had declined to participate. The awardswere given to the Immediate Gratification Playersand Kuumba. One category, for Outstanding ACappella Group, was dropped altogether.

Other students vigorously defended Parade ofStars, saying that the controversy wasmisdirected.

"There are more serious issues for people toget alarmed about than a silly awards show. Anyinitial project is going to have flaws, but theycan work it out next year. The show is supposed tobe entertaining," said Tonika D. Cheek '99,choreographer for the Class of '99 Steppers.

Although Chetanna I. Okasi '98, founder andpresident of Parade of Stars, and Joshua D. Powe'98, its producer, refused to comment to TheCrimson, they emphasized the celebratory nature ofthe show in the program's comments.

"In spite of all the recent controversy, wemaintain that an award's nite which unifies oftenisolated student groups in a celebratory manner isa positive addition to the long list of Harvardtraditions," they wrote.

Masai A.A. Osseo-Asare '00, the winner forOutstanding Lead Actress for her performance in"Songs We Can't Sing," praised the organization ofthe show and expressed hope that the awardstradition would continue.

"It could unite people on campus; I respect thework put into this," she said. "It has thepotential to be a celebration, not a competition."

The winner were:

Band of the Year: B-Side

Show of the Year: Angels in America:Millennium Approaches.

Outstanding Theater Group: ImmediateGratification Players

Outstanding Choral Music Group: Kuumba

Outstanding Concert of the Year: HarvardRadcliffe Orchestra

Outstanding Director: Monica A. Henderson'99

Outstanding Lead Actor: Theodore N. Maynard'00

Outstanding Lead Actress: Masai A.A.Osseo-Asare '00

Outstanding Female Athlete: Allison S.Feaster '98

Outstanding Male Athlete: Matthew R. Birk'98

Outstanding Men's Team: Football

Outstanding Women's Team: Basketball

Rookie of the Year (Male): James R. Blake'01

Rookie of the Year (Female): Dora Gyorffy'01

Outstanding Visual Arts Project: Steve J.Turner '98

Outstanding Political/Social Action Group:Institute of Politics

Outstanding Public Service Program:CityStep

Publication of the Year: Diversity andDistinction

Outstanding Journalist: Baratunde R.Thurston '99

Outstanding Designer: Husani K. Barnwell'98

Outstanding Choreographing: Celia S. Edwards'99

Outstanding Dance Group: Harvard RadcliffeBallroom Dance Team

House of the Year: Leverett