Reflecting on the 132nd Conversazione: A Starry Night

This year, the Conversazione Committee was inspired to reimagine Conversat, paying tribute to the great history of the evening. Our aim was to regenerate the grandeur and spectacle of the past while highlighting Conversazione as a truly unique and special event on the Trinity social calendar. Taking inspiration from Vincent Van Gogh’s masterpiece, Starry Night, we aimed to present a week of events that provided our guests with the excitement and wonder of laying on one’s back and gazing at a picturesque night sky.

The Gold and Silver Ball

There was no better way to introduce the Trinity community to the 132nd Conversazione than with the Gold and Silver Ball. A beautiful masquerade event to kick off Conversat, set in a gorgeously decorated Seeley Hall. Mysteriously-masked Trinity students had the opportunity to ask a dat - if they desired to do so - by revealing their true identity.

Sunday

Conversat Week officially began on Sunday night, when a small group gathered in the Whit common room to gorge on sushi while embarking on the emotional roller coaster that is the Fault in Our Stars. There were some tears and hugs as students of all years were brought together to enjoy the first event of a stellar week.

Monday

On Monday evening, the Junior Common Room echoed with frantic shouts and intense scribbling, as teams went head to head in a Pictionary tournament. The contest began with the room divided in two, slowly splitting into smaller teams as entire sides of the room were eliminated. Eschewing the Starry Night theme, Trinity students were instead challenged to draw the infamous UTSU building, Strachan’s ill-famed butter chicken perogy poutine, the Quad Hawk, and even Carter the Dog. After some highly competitive matches, the team of Braden Kenny & Helen Picard emerged victorious, with Jaclyn Flom & Max Isakov taking a close second, and Sheena Singh & Craig Gilchrist snagging third place. The winners got to choose from an assortment of prizes, including Insomnia gift cards, free Belgian waffles, and dinner for two at Big Fat Burrito.

Tuesday

Coffeehouse in Seeley Hall brought out many of the stars from within Trinity’s student body, where we witnessed a number of exceptional talents. Highlights of the night included Bosi Moragia’s amazing vocals on Pumped Up Kicks, Angie Salomon’s stunning performance of At Last, and an acoustic version of Toxic performed by Marissa Martins, Claire Shenstone-Harris, and Paris Puck. An Irish dance performance by co-chair Patrick Andison took everyone by surprise – his high kicks were astounding, to say the least. The perfect end to the night was an entertaining performance by Kiga Tymianski and Gillian Scott, featuring a ukulele and some very robust vocals.

Wednesday

The night began by inviting back some of Trinity’s own rising stars – Atom Egoyan and Cynthia Caron-Thorburn. They returned to take part in an old tradition revived from years past, a pre-Conversat High Table! Atom Egoyan entertained us all with mischievous stories from his time at Trinity, including a questionable tale about monkeys ice-skating in the Quad. An elevated dinner accompanied by wine and fine desserts ensured all who attended were in fine form for the events of the evening.

Many Conversat guests joined the Trinity College Tasting Society for Champagne Tasting in the JCR, directly following High Table. The true highlight of the night was the champagne-soaked brie cheese accompanied by fresh baguette, but many others also appreciated the free flowing bubbly. An atmosphere of elegance and class permeated the evening’s events, preparing guests for the festivities to come on Saturday.

A truly raucous Lit followed, with Raajan and Anthony speaking for the proposition and Nick and Patrick for the opposition. The four lively speakers filled the room with laughter, though there may have also been a few tears on Pat’s part. Their arguments (which supposedly debated the resolution “when we said give ear to us, that's not what we meant”) were fittingly sly and satirical, with numerous references to Van Gogh and the ear in question. Self-deprecation ran rampant, and audience members left knowing far more about Nick’s unhealthy love of Uggs and Pat’s relevance than they probably ever wanted to. Though Raajan and Anthony won the debate, both sides were enormously successful in entertaining the audience with their art history knowledge and personal anecdotes.

Thursday

Though the upper years won Conversat Bowl 17-6, the first years put up a great fight, with Syndi Walton and Sydney Bradshaw leading the first year team to an impressive touchdown. A huge thank you to Katie Fettes, not only for creating all the “First Year Touch” signs but also for being an incredibly spirited captain and organizer. Practicing for the game certainly brought all the first year women together, and they were all smiles despite the battle injuries they acquired during the game.

Next came skating at Nathan Phillips square, where Trinity students flocked onto the ice with a mixture of clumsiness and grace, lighting up the rink with their enthusiasm and winter spirit. Our very own Ali Harkness even learned to skate for the first time!

Friday

The date night after-party at Famoso was a great addition to the week, and the restaurant was transformed when DJ Rau-dy started playing his sets, calling everyone onto the dance floor. The event brought together a number of Trinity students, who sat down to enjoy pizza, gelato, and drinks from one of our favourite Conversazione sponsors.

Saturday

The 132nd Conversazione itself was certainly a starry night to remember. Strachan Hall was transformed with twinkling lights under an artfully draped blue and white sky, a gorgeous bar, and a live band. Students arrived in their finery, twinkling with smiles and bringing the room to life with their laughter and dancing. There were delicious appetizers to be found in the JCR and piles of pizza in Strachan, for which Kaleem Hawa deserves great thanks. The photo backdrop, a stunning reproduction of van Gogh’s Starry Night painted by executive member Bethany Pile, played host to many of the night’s best memories, making all her long nights painting in Sub-Cos well worth it. Overall, the event was an enormous success, and we will never be able to sit in Strachan again without yearning for the glory it experienced during this year’s Conversat. Thank you to all of the students who attended the event - the 132nd Conversazione would not have been possible without your support.

Being a member of this year’s Conversat executive was an absolutely amazing experience. Upon reflecting on the successful event, co-chair Raajan wanted to express him immense gratitude towards all of those involved: “I think our small team created a more intimate environment that was more engaging and was able to give the individuals in our group a sense of responsibility and pride that larger groups may find difficult to achieve.” The administration, too, was extremely accommodating and respectful, making this year’s ambitious goals possible. The Heads team certainly deserves a mention as well, as their support was vital to the success of many of our events.

To our Co-Chairs Patrick, Raajan, and Anthony: your ambitious vision and passion were what made Conversazione possible, and it was a pleasure working for you. We could not have asked for a better executive, and we miss you all already.