As March approached, it looked like the American Medical Student Association AMSA Talent show might not pull through. Second year students were busy studying for boards, and the first-years were having trouble finding a space that could accommodate the event. Luckily, Co-President, Rohan Rau, and Treasurer/Secretary, ToQuynh Vu, were persistent in scoping out new venues in and around Biddeford. When they found Dirigo Brewing Company, they knew they had found the perfect location to showcase UNE COM talent. In 2016, Dirigo Brewing opened in one of the mill buildings that overlook the water in Biddeford. The open concept, industrial metal and brick structure, with hard wood floors and a chill atmosphere gave the event a more sophisticated look than previous years. To seal-the-deal, the company brought in a Southern BBQ caterer out of Kennebunk that was arguably the best BBQ in Maine.
The event took place on Saturday, March 23rd, with about 130 students standing shoulder to shoulder to watch the performances… of which there were many. Some of the acts included first year student, Sam Frykenberg singing and playing an original song on the ukulele; Lauren Irvin, OMS-II sang, along with the always incredible acapella group, Sympathetic Tones. Thomas Oram, OMS-I wowed the crowd with his Kermit the Frog impression; Matthew Mashayekhi, OMS-II made the crowd cry from laughter with his original stand-up; Rahul Rayan, OMS-I sang and played guitar; Seth Butler, OMS-II played an incredible rendition of Piano Man and sang, “I can’t Make You Love Me.” First year, Catherine Bianco, sang a wonderful rendition of “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith; a dance by Fides Elamparo, OMS-I; first year students, Ethan Collins, Vincent Martello, and Bryar Hansen also sang with incredible voices; Lyman Wu on electric guitar, and many more amazing performers!
UNE COM’S GOT TALENT
First year COM students at the AMSA Talent Show at Dirigo Brewing