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.
UC Irvine’s fourth annual Shocktoberfest draws thousands of students to the Bren Events Center Friday night, including these Gym Class Heroes fans screaming wildly for lead singer Travis McCoy.
Daniel A. Anderson / University CommunicationsTravis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes ends the night with the band’s hit single “Cookie Jar.”
Michelle Kim/UC IrvineUCI students sway back and forth atop shoulders during the performance.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineGym Class Heroes puts on an energized show for UCI students.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineThousands of students gather to enjoy live performances by well-known artists such as Shwayze.
Michelle Kim/UC IrvineSilhouetted students clap to the beat as the performance heats up.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineA sea of students enjoy the Bren Center festivities.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineDressed as Anteater Superhero for the costume contest, UCI student Christine Khuat is surprised by an on-stage marriage proposal. She said yes.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineMcCoy and students connect as he leans out from the stage.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineAndrew Mitsuhashi, dressed as Optimus Prime from “Transformers,” wins the Halloween costume contest, with “Taco Girl”nHea Jung Jessica Lee a close second.n
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineShwayze takes the stage.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineStudents propel giant inflated balls during the concert.
Swaying hands move to the music during the performance.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineErika Chan and fellow dancers from BBoys Anonymous cheer on other group members as they pop and lock on stage.
Michelle Kim/UC IrvineUCI men’s basketball player Derrick Strings gets some air time as he lands this dunk during the competition.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineA UCI spirit leader sports a temporary tattoo at the Midnight Magic rally.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineTravis McCoy use the spotlight to make a request of UCI students: He asks them to promise to do something in their lives that they really love doing.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineUCI men’s basketball players celebrate after winning the 3-point competition; last year the women prevailed.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineUCI’s Common Ground hip-hop dance team performs on stage for hundreds of students at the outdoor festival on Mesa Road.
Michelle Kim/UC IrvinePeter the Anteater and UCI students mix it up Friday night before the slam-dunk contest.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC IrvineMcCoy entertains the crowd at the Bren Events Center Friday night.
Daniel A. Anderson/UC Irvine