ASUCI’s Shocktoberfest and UC Irvine Athletics’ Midnight Magic, the annual nationwide kickoff to the basketball season, proved to be an electric combination Friday, Oct 16. Venues included an outdoor street festival and performance stage; a Bren Events Center concert and basketball shootout; and Aftershock, the Shocktoberfest outdoor after-party, where students danced to DJ tunes. Among the highlights:

Music: Shwayze got things going with selections from their soon-to-be-released album “Let It Beat.” They mixed in classics too. Gym Class Heroes looked to be having a great time onstage and energized the crowd right through the encore.

Marriage: Love blossomed onstage during the costume contest when Christine Khuat – dressed as Anteater Superhero – received a marriage proposal, which she blushingly accepted. The crowd went wild.

Midnight Magic: UCI’s men’s and women’s basketball teams traditionally compete in a shootout to celebrate the first official day of practice. This year, victory went to the men’s team.

Miscellaneous: Andrew Mitsuhashi, dressed as Optimus Prime from “Transformers,” won the costume contest, sponsored by STA Travel. The prize: two Air New Zealand tickets to Europe. Hea Jung Jessica Lee as Taco Girl came in a close second.