BY ANAGHA KRISHNAN

In print | Published May 1, 2008

Yoshi Johnson ’08 generated much laughter when he introduced Sixteen Feet at their Friday night ‘Toe Jam,” a concert that spotlighted both new songs and old favorites by Swarthmore’s only all-male a capella group. “We have a great concert for you guys tonight,” he said. “A great and quick concert because there are a lot of other fun events going on tonight that you should be at,” Johnson said.

According to group member Henry Clapp ’09, the decision to host the concert itself was “stressful, because it was kind of at the last minute. We learned a lot of new arrangements very quickly, but luckily it all came together on timer.” The group began the evening with some interpretive dancing, and the song “Day Man” from the show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” This performance also featured a cameo from our new mascot, the phoenix, who frolicked onstage to a lot of cheers and merriment.

Johnson then had his first solo of the night with “Ordinary People” by John Legend. The song that followed was an original piece, first performed in 1993 and dedicated to everyone in the audience who “self-identifies as a Swarthmore girl.” Titled, predictably enough, “Swarthmore Girls” the song featured lyrical gems such as “I think you are one hot babe / Let’s go study in McCabe” and was a big hit with the audience.

Other high points of the night included Feet’s re-enactment of the famous Harry Potter Puppet Pals video on You Tube. This is a personal favorite, and if for some reason, you’ve missed out, go to YouTube and watch the hilarity for yourself. The Harry Potter skit was impeccably timed and a great addition to Sixteen Feet’s musical repertoire.

After this came the announcement that Sixteen Feet was hosting a guest group from a “distant and foreign land.” The group members, they said, had traveled all the way from the British Isles to perform at Swarthmore. 4.88 Meters, the guest group, coincidentally featured all of the Sixteen Feet men with the addition of returning junior Colin Aarons ’09 who had been abroad this past semester.

Aarons performed the song “On and On” by Stephen Bishop. 4.88 Meters certainly met with an enthusiastic reception, as the screams from both male and female members of the audience nearly drowned out the applause. Hopefully, this will encourage them to visit again.

The Feet also included a song written by former group member and Swarthmore Alum Andrew Rose Gregory, titled “Do You Think.” Senior Wren Elhai then had a solo on the group’s rendition of the Franz Ferdinand hit “Take Me Out,” which featured a rich and complicated vocal arrangement with equally elaborate group choreography. In keeping with the surprising tone of the evening, the last act was a Destiny’s Child medley with the songs “Bootylicious,” “Survivor” and “Say My Name.” The men ended the concert proclaiming that they were “Independent, Bootylicious Survivors”.

It was the last “Toe Jam” for seniors Yoshi Johnson, Wren Elhai and James Casey. Casey, who is currently president of the group, said: “This year was incredible because we were able to learn many complicated and difficult songs very quickly. The group of singers and musicians that we have right now are some of the best that I’ve ever seen or worked with. As a senior I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last four years and I like to think that all of us have helped improve the group. It’s always sad to leave something that you’ve invested so much time, energy and emotion into, but I know the group will be in good hands.”

Other members of the group have stated that since the real senior solos are going to be performed at Jamboree, they will be saving their emotions for that night. Clapp, however, admits that the seniors are a great class and it will be difficult to replace them. Daniel Del Nido ’10 agrees, saying, “There will definitely be a Wren, Casey and Yoshi shaped hole in my life next year.”

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