Christyn Refuerzo ‘26

“My sunshine has sunshine on his mind,” Alyssa Dann ‘24 sings, strumming her guitar in the softly lit Slonim living room at Friday’s Sunset Acoustic Soirée, one of three music events for “Valentine’s Week.”

The entire festival came together thanks to Catherine Berdie and Josiah Luftig, who began planning in mid-December, around the time of the holiday festival. Berdie and Luftig began to reach out to singers that they knew, along with Ali Farr, to create the three shows that comprise SLC's Valentine’s Week Music Festival. Together, they enlisted Clay Miller as the coordinator of the three shows and Edan Morgan Paul as head of activities.

There are a total of three shows. This was decided to include as many performers as possible, along with the different music scenes on campus: acoustic, band and the up-and-coming orchestral scene.

I was one of many to attend the Sunset Acoustic Soirée, the kick-off event, on Friday, Feb. 10 at 5 p.m., organized by Farr. An intimate, cozy ambience of soft lamp lighting and zero spotlights, the venue and set-up was indicative of the soft, welcoming atmosphere created that night. What made this specific performance so captivating was that almost all of the performances were original songs. From Raphael Hendrick-Baker’s song he wrote on Tuesday night for this specific show on falling in love with yourself to Alyssa Dann’s live performance of a song she released, the entire night was full of stripped, yet beautifully complex music that felt like a warm hug.

Alexis Ounyoung playing their original, “Sunshine Gelato”

On Sunday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m., Luftig and The Houseband hosted the McCracken Sock Hop at the McCracken dance studio – a rock concert featuring Salamander, Madeline Cho, Whitworth, and more. You may have caught one of their performances during Halloween or in the winter and many of them will be making another appearance. The music ranged from Silk Sonic’s groovy “Smoking Out the Window” with The Houseband to Boygenius’ “Me and My Dog,” led by Berdie with Paul and Renee Sullivan. While the soirée was warm and cozy, the sock hop was fun and upbeat, like dancing around in your dorm room with your best friends.

If you missed the soirée and sock hop, do not worry as there is one final performance.

The Rose Ball is a Valentine’s Day masquerade hosted by Berdie, at the Barb from 7:30-10:00 p.m. on Valentine’s Day and is sponsored by the Ballroom Dance Club, Chess Club, and Peace Action Group.

“The Phoenix” was also given a special preview and the coordinators have allowed us to leak a few songs from the setlist for this night full of love. Listen to fan favorites complete with a full band, strings, and horns, from classics like Etta James’ “At Last” to more contemporary picks like Daniel Caesar and H.E.R.’s “Best Part” to even Taylor Swift’s “Betty.” And if you enjoyed listening to Paul, Millie Polzin, and Sullivan from the soirée, take yourself on a solo date, bring a friend or lover to dance along to the talented musical stylings of all of them and more!

So whether you decide to go alone, with a friend, or with someone extra special, I can guarantee that this is not something you would want to miss.

All events are free and do not require an RSVP.

SLC Valentine’s Week: Love (and Music) Is In the Air