April 18, 2008 The Sacerdote Fund, which brings a high-profile speaker to campus every year, brought an unparalleled opportunity to campus. Aretha Franklin played a full concert to the 1,775 students of Hamilton College. She didn't play my favorite song, "Only the Lonely," but I found myself clapping through most of her set. Fog, bright lights, projectors pushing her onto giant screens, a small army of back-up performers, and crowds bussed in from all around Central New York made for a memorable evening. During "Respect" the entire audience stood and students stormed the aisles, smearing an organized seating chart into a dance party. As a performer, Aretha's energy seemed drawn from an unlimited font. She tap-danced, told jokes, and introduced every member of her back-up. When Aretha played in Columbus, it was in the hockey stadium, where you might as well be watching the concert from a Google Earth satellite. When she played Hamilton College I could see her uvula. I can now tell people I've seen Aretha Franklin's uvula.
