Karaoke in Rock Hill helps students forget about stress of college
Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 6:05PM By Ted Patterson
Special to The Johnsonian
Dennis Dejesus dances with the microphone while performing karaoke at Toyo’s Bar and Grill. Photo by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@mytjnow.comThe pressure of classes and exams can be hard on students. It helps to find an escape from the headaches of college.
Dennis Dejesus, junior theater major, and a few of his friends go to Toyo’s Sushi Bar and Grill on Cherry Road for karaoke nights to get away from the workload and sing away those struggles.
“I always come out to karaoke,” said Dejesus. “Whether you’re singing out to a crowd or to no one at all, if just for a moment to feel free, it’s worth it.”
The students heard about the karaoke nights from other friends who have attended. Now, the karaoke nights have showcased at least ten different talents every Wednesday night starting at 10:30 p.m. and ending at 2 a.m.
Dejesus and friends perform to the lyrics screen to exorcise any bad emotions from schoolwork or any other troubles.
“Karaoke is a great stress reliever for me,” said Jed Cockrill, freshman theater major.
Singers can choose from a large assortment of music. They can belt out The Killers’ Mr. Brightside to the neon lit room or dance with the colors of the sequence lights as a friend croons Bobby Darin’s Beyond the Sea.
“I think it’s a healthy and safe way to blow off steam with your friends,” said Cecily Bigham, junior theater major.
The nights begin when the DJ gets up and sings a song or two just to show he’s having fun too.
John T. Barnett, part-time DJ for Toyo’s and other karaoke events in the York county area, explained how karaoke nights started.
“Essentially, Toyo’s has had karaoke on and off for years. They didn't have anyone doing it about a year ago, and someone started a petition for them to hire me,” Barnett said.
Since Barnett manages multiple events in other parts of the county, he has C.J. Wells, senior business administration major, to help him by working as the DJ at Toyo’s.
The music plays on and on as Dejesus smiles because he can share the night.
