Riekestra lights up the Guild Theatre with an electrifying show

The Riekestra, the Riekes Center's student-led band, held a benefit concert at The Guild Theater on Sunday. The event was an exciting way to celebrate the band's return from their summer tour in Barcelona, ​​Spain. Their stage presence and musicianship shone through their setlist of retro covers.

Beyond the music, the event also served as a fundraiser for the Riekes Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing valuable opportunities for students.

To open the show, Riekestra played “Nice 'n' Easy” by Frank Sinatra. Later in the concert, Bianka Zelaya, one of the band's lead singers and a final year student, made a statement by singing “I Feel Good” by James Brown, sending a wave of energy through the crowd.

The event was filled with feel-good music, including “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, sung by MA senior Addison Andara, and “Hotel California” by the Eagles, sung by Andara and Zelaya. The magic continued with a soulful performance of Alicia Keys' “If I Ain't Got You” by Zelaya and her lead singer Keegan Dyer.

Riekestra played a mashup of the Beatles' “Twist and Shout” and Ritchie Valens' “La Bamba.” Another highlight was “Those Little Things,” which was dedicated to Ramon Mirabet, a Spanish artist the band had performed with earlier this year.

During a brief break in the music, Zelaya and Dyer gave heartwarming speeches about their experiences at the Riekes Center. Zelaya reflected on how the tight-knit community welcomed her and helped her believe in herself. Dyer shared how his experiences at the Center deepened his understanding of music in a way that has helped him succeed with other musicians.

When the show ended, the audience loudly demanded an encore. The Riekestra played a classic that perfectly described their loving community: “We are Family” by Sister Sledge.

Even after countless performances, Zelaya still gets nervous before going on stage. “I get really scared, but once I'm up there, it all goes away. It's crazy,” she said.

This concert was also the first local appearance of new band members Andara, Chloe Lucia and Zane Watson, who all made their debut with the band in Spain.

Riekestra's concert was an exciting end to the weekend, full of infectious energy and rousing performances. “Music triggers emotions. It's really cool to see how people react when you put yourself out there,” said Lucia.