PEORIA, IL – Fast and furious fingers of Dueling Pianos showcased the first Family Weekend event of the school year on September 13th in the Student Center Ballroom where students, parents and guests alike enjoyed a festive performance. The Activities Council of Bradley University (ACBU) hosted this unique evening, providing students and families the opportunity to spend time together and have some fun.

Dueling Pianos is an interactive comedy and musical performance that is gaining popularity across the country, as showgoers see more than two pianists competing on stage. Attendees at the Family Weekend event experienced hilarious audience participation skits, sing-along and dance-along fun to their favorite well-known music, such as “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Sweet Caroline”,  and clean family oriented entertainment. As the night progressed, the crowd became more enthusiastic and clapping and singing took over the ballroom. The lively atmosphere created a memorable experience for all ages.

First year graduate student Ryan Gurgul had shared what he thought about the event. 

“I wasn’t really doing anything else, so I thought, why not go? It turned out to be really fun! I knew the songs, and it was better than I expected and very interactive. I didn’t think I would stay the whole time, but here I am!”

Gurgul added that his favorite moment was taking the stage to dance with his girlfriend, and that will be a moment that they will never forget.

Becca Allgeier, a Senior, echoed Gurgul’s sentiments. 

“I came because my sister dragged me along. I had a great time, much better than I thought it would be.” Allgeier added that with all the homework she has, it was nice to take a break from studying and enjoy this event.

A lot of preparation went into the event, which was a big success according to ACBU Event Coordinator Alex Griffith. “This event has been one of the more unique and hectic we’ve organized, especially given its size and the diverse age range of attendees,” Griffith said.

The decision to incorporate a Dueling Pianos show into Family Weekend was intentional.

Griffith noted, “Bringing in a late-night show with adult beverages and a lively atmosphere helps bridge the gap for parents between hanging out with their child and seeing them as young adults navigating their own lives.”

ACBU is an organization on the campus of Bradley University that plans and hosts many events throughout the school year to provide an outlet for students to have a good time in a safe, fun environment. For more information about ACBU, head to their website www.acbu.org.