One reason students look forward to going to Shapiro Campus Center during the finals period is the Midnight Buffet, held each semester before the start of exams. This semester, the Midnight Buffet went tropical with inflatable palm trees and totem poles, along with a slew of streamers.
There was certainly no shortage on the variety of food offered this semester. Pizza was served, along with traditional buffet favorites like Lizzy's sundaes and Dunkin' Donuts. There were bagels and fresh fruit for those who preferred to eat healthy and cotton candy and popcorn for those who love carnival-style snacks. Despite the diversity of food, students were upset by how quickly most of the snacks ran out and were also frustrated by the long lines and dense crowds. At the buffet, students were entertained by The State, comprised of Aron Glennon '04 and his bandmates Bill Lord, Sean Philbrick and Kyle Needham. Coming off their April performance at Madison Square Garden in the New York International Music Festival, The State performed original rocks songs that were well-suited to the lively atmosphere of the Midnight Buffet. The group's stirring sound on songs such as "The Afternoon" and "Track #3" made The State a pleasure to listen to. The great musical chemistry between band members helped improve the overall quality of their performance on such songs as "Ill at Ease." The group also performed some popular covers such as Radiohead's "Karma Police" and Travis' "Hit Me Baby," based on the Britney Spears song. The State is currently in talks with major music labels, which hopefully will result in a well-deserved record deal for the group.

Unfortunately, the lyrics to almost all of The State's songs were impossible to hear due to the immense amount of noise in Shapiro. The WBRS sound system also did not appear to be adequate to accommodate the sound the band produced. While the State put on an entertaining show, the chaotic environment of Midnight Buffet did not give students the opportunity to hear how good the group really is.

Overall, the Midnight Buffet this semester was a disappointment, with issues ranging from how quickly the food ran out to the space problems to sound issues with the performing group.