LU ONE hosts music event to bring students together

LU ONE will host NOLA Nights: Birthplace of Jazz from 9-11 p.m. at the LaHaye Event Space Feb. 23. This will be the first NOLA Nights event hosted at Liberty University.

Melissa Harris, the communications and branding director for LU ONE, is ready to bring this new event to the table. The event got the name “NOLA” because it is referencing the birthplace of jazz music, the city of New Orleans.

“We want to kind of transport students back into the 1920s and give them a good opportunity (to) just sit back and relax and listen to some awesome music,” Harris said.

RDU Jazz, a band from North Carolina, will perform a classic jazz concert at the event. The musicians will also speak to the attendees about the history of jazz music.

There will also be a display of the musical instruments used in the performance, specifically the ones traditional jazz bands use. Additionally, there will be a catered meal for attendees, including foods like gumbo, beignets and cranberry fizz drinks.

The goal of NOLA Nights is to reflect the purpose and mission of LU ONE, which is to bring students together in one place to learn and grow.

“The whole purpose of LU ONE is to bring unity to campus and … to provide different experiences and background information and history on various cultures, so in this case we’re focusing on jazz,” Harris said. 

Student Katie Cunningham enjoys listening to jazz music for its soothing and relaxing sound. 

“I like how relaxing it can be,” Katie said. “Specifically, I like the way the saxophone sounds, so whenever that’s involved, it’s soothing to me.” 

Along with current students, CFAW students and their parents attending that weekend will be able to come to NOLA Nights.

To learn more about the NOLA Nights event, visit www.liberty.edu/equity-and-inclusion/events.

Sanford is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion