by Kenton Chen

It’s lunchtime at USC. Where are you going to eat today? You could head over to The Lot, have some Kung Pao Chicken at Zao Noodle Bar or a very wet bean and cheese burrito at Baja Fresh. Or, in the name of change, try something different this week: Gourmet sandwiches ($5), salads ($3) and free drinks from Lemonade, a new trendy food stand downtown. Best part about it (except for saving some money)? You’ll also find some amazing entertainment while you’re at it!

USC Spectrum, the division of Student Affairs that is responsible for bringing artists like Roberta Flack, Rufus Wainwright, and Yo-Yo Ma on campus, is featuring several artists that are a little closer to home this week. Jazz in the Park, a weeklong event from 12-1pm everyday at Alumni Park, features our very own Thornton School of Music students. Three of the five groups performing are student-run, and every group has a fresh, unique sound ranging from funk to Latin to even esoteric. But who are these artists I’m so blatantly plugging anyway?

Monday, April 13: Cassie Peterson (Singer/Songwriter). A graduating senior studying vocal jazz and architecture, Cassie Peterson has a sound like no other. With her distinct and rich voice, she paints cotton clouds upon the soft evergreens of her Nashville roots, evoking the rawness of Bob Dylan with the buoyancy of Sara Bareilles. Pianist Emily Intersimone says of Cassie, “She is not just a singer. Cassie is one of my favorite musicians at USC.” Unfortunately, by the time you read this, you may have already missed her. You can still listen to her music on her MySpace at www.myspace.com/CassielPeterson

Tuesday, April 14: CreSCendo (Vocal Jazz). USC’s own vocal jazz ensemble is more than meets the ear. Under the direction of Kathleen Grace, CreSCendo explores genres beyond jazz, singing tunes from Randy Newman to Bela Bartok. A CreSCendo signature: Singers will make up a song right on the spot, with harmonies and moving bass lines.

Wednesday, April 15: ALAJE (Afro-Latin). You better wear your dancing shoes, because ALAJE will get you on your feet. Under the direction of Aaron Serfaty, this Afro-Latin ensemble’s sole purpose is to make its audience dance. Sophomore Theo Menau, who plays trumpet in the band, jokes that “all the players in ALAJE are really just there because of all the girls that are drawn to the music.”

Thursday, April 16: Nebula Explosion (Indie/Experimental). I’m warning you: exposing yourself to the incredible genius that is Nebula Explosion may change your life forever. These four seniors have created a sound that incredibly danceable but mind-blowingly epic. They’ve experimented with loops, pedals, and even bowed electric bass. Sophomore Ben Rose, the drummer for Cassie Peterson, says that Nebula Explosion is “cerebral ecstasy. It’s an Explosion of Emotion.” Check them out at www.myspace.com/nebulaexplosion

Friday, April 17: Sock Oom Pow (Funk): It’s time to funkifize! The eight members of Sock Oom Pow formed together over a year ago as a simple Stevie Wonder cover band. Now, these players are performing their original funk and soul. The best part, these individuals are so in demand that four of them are playing in other bands this week as well. Emily Intersimone, who plays the keyboard for Sock Oom Pow, says “It’s some of the most fun I’ve ever had playing.” They are, in my humble opinion, some of the most fun I’ve ever had listening to. You can check out their new EP on CD Baby or on their Myspace at www.myspace.com/SockOomPow

Whether you come for the incredible music or the delicious gourmet sandwiches, you are going to enjoy yourself this week at Alumni Park. Being a part of USC Spectrum I would really recommend exploring this event and at least stopping by to hear your talented fellow Trojans. Just to recap:

This week, April 13-17 from 12-1 pm at Alumni Park. Food will be for sale from 11:30-1:30 right across from the VKC arches. And don’t be surprised if you find some crazy Asian kid trying out some questionable dance moves next to the stage. If anybody asks, it’s not me.*