Maroon and black decorations, low lighting, fragrant aromas and mellow music will set the mood for local amateur performers to strut their stuff at the Black Affairs Council’s Heavy Vibes…Can You Dig It? tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. in Student Center Ballroom B.

Heavy vibes Can you dig it? is the liner to BAC’s virtual coffee shop idea. BAC will convert the Student Center Ballroom B into a caf to showcase student poetry, singing and music.

Umar Rashid, a senior in cinema and photography from Chicago and one of the students scheduled to perform Friday night, describes the event through the imagery of his own poetry.

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A solitary footstep became footprints as the masses, single-filed, filled the cube-seated room regally in a rectangular pattern. Staring through the visage of Colombian blend, the heavy breathing travelers, who came from long distances, chattered about the days proceedings. They cling-clanged poorly crafted porcelain mugs and listened to the poets speak.

The aura of the event may be captured in verse, but the reason behind Heavy Vibes is best explained by Black Affairs Council publicist Juan Maultsby.

The purpose of this event is to explore SIUC talent, he said. Our goal is to provide our audience with positive entertainment in a laid-back atmosphere with a little flavor.

The Registered Student Organization acting troupe Oops Entertainment will start the night off with a comedy skit written by Oops Entertainment’s faculty adviser Brenda Major titled Next Life Time, which tells the story about the ups and downs of a smooth player.

Oops Entertainment President Ayolandra Holt said the crowd is sure to like this love twist.

Next Life Time’ is a story about a gigolo who loses the girl he truly loves. The story shows him comically going through a change, she said. We always have positive responses to our plays. I think they’re going to love this play.

In addition to Oops Entertainment, other SIUC students will be entertainers for the night.

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Some students like Rashid will perform original and popular poetry. Others will perform musical pieces on various instruments.

Hazel Richardson and Aerica Parson, the reigning winner of the Alpha Phi Alpha Ms. Eboness Pageant, will perform musical solos.

The performers are looking forward to Friday, Lynell Mitchell, a sophomore in electrical engineering from Chicago and the assistant chairman of Heavy Vibes, said. The cafe will give everyone a chance to showcase their talent in a positive, laid-back environment before fellow students.

Although there are students already scheduled to perform, Mitchell stressed that anyone who is willing to perform is welcomed to perform.

I’m not a poet but if the mood catches me I might get on stage and do a little something for the crowd, Mitchell said.

FACTOID:Admission to Heavy Vibes…Can You Dig It? is free. Refreshments will be served.