Pizza Hut invaded by singing Charlottesvillians
On Thursday Sept. 19, the night started out slow at Pizza Hut on W Main Street as usual. The staff, however, were busy using their down time to prepare for the biggest night of the week. Around 9 p.m., people from all over Charlottesville flood the small restaurant for the main event. Every week, Thunder Music takes over the restaurant and transforms the usually quiet eatery into a karaoke concert hall. People from all walks of life come together to eat, drink, and sing their favorite artist’s greatest hits.
While some people are new to the weekly event, most of the patrons are regulars and look forward to seeing the friendly faces that fill the restaurant.
“Most of us see each other as family, and this serves as our weekly reunion,” explained Carly Bradburn, a freshman at UVA’s School of Nursing. Bradburn and her friends have been attending the karaoke night each week for the past year, only missing out when inevitable. Their moment of stardom comes each week when the group performs the Backstreet Boys classic “I Want It That Way.”
With three high-tech microphones and an endless collection of songs, anyone can be a rockstar for the night. From an 8-year-old belting out Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” to a retired trucker rocking out to Bon Jovi’s “Livin On A Prayer”, the night is filled with unique voices, fun performances, and every genre one could imagine. The atmosphere was one of love and acceptance; the only rule of the night being “no talent required.” As voices cracked and lyrics were skipped over, the audience erupted with cheers that would put Celine Dion to shame.
Clinton Johnson, the karaoke DJ and owner of Thunder Music, said, “This is a fun, safe space and our goal is to bring the community together, not just the UVA community or the young crowd, but all of Charlottesville.” With such a diverse group of participants, it is safe to say that the goal is achieved each week. Johnson also uses his platform and the event to raise money for charities around the holidays.
With all the singing going on, the staff is hard at work supplying the crowd with delicious pizza and cocktails. “Karaoke nights at Pizza Hut are livelier than any other nights, it’s awesome to see everyone so eclectic and joyful,” explained Norman Dorise, the head bartender. Dorise was an employee when the karaoke night was first implemented and has watched it grow to the tradition it is today. Dorise stays busy throughout the night, but he always makes time to grace the crowd with his rendition of “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls.
With affordable cocktails, local beers, classic food, new friends, and singing charlottesvillians, karaoke night at Pizza Hut is a hidden staple of Charlottesville’s culture.
