October ‘Out of the Blue’ highlights students reviving Urban Entertainment Society [+VIDEO]

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The October episode of Middle Tennessee State University’s “Out of the Blue” television magazine learns about the revival of the Urban Entertainment Society, a student organization based out of the College of Media and Entertainment.

UES members Keston Jones, president, and Azzie Dennison, vice president, stopped by the “Out of the Blue” set to discuss their commitment to bringing the organization back to life, which includes providing on-campus showcase opportunities for students representing a wide array of entertainment and arts, like music, spoken word and art.

Watch the full segment below with host Andrew Oppmann, vice president of the university’s Division of Marketing and Communications.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Jones and Dennison said UES was one of the largest student organizations on campus.

“When COVID hit, everything stopped,” said Dennison. “Students weren’t able to collaborate and have the community they once had on this campus, and we’re really trying to bring that back.”

The pair said their main goal in giving new life to the UES is to show support and create opportunities for collaboration for artists, producers, dancers and more.

“We want to create a space where you can hone and grow your craft and skill and build it. So, when you go out into the world, you can say, ‘I did this in college, and it helped me build myself up to where I am today,’” Jones said.

Dr. Denise Shackelford, assistant professor of recording industry — Dr. Denise Shackelford

“We are truly trying to create a community,” Dennison added.

The duo praised Department of Recording Industry assistant professor Denise Shackleford, UES’s faculty advisor.

“She is such a delight to be around. She’s always happy and stays on us to get things done,” said Jones.

“She’s so supportive in everything that she does for us; I absolutely adore working with her,” Dennison added.

UES meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in BRAGG 149. Throughout the semester, they plan several events, including a shoe drive and a Sneaker Ball on Oct. 25.

Andrew Oppmann, vice president of marketing and communications — Andrew Oppmann

“Out of the Blue” is available anytime on the university’s YouTube channel, the True Blue TV channel, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. It also airs on Murfreesboro cable Channel 9 daily at 6 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; NewsChannel5+ at 6:30 p.m. Sundays; and streamed on the MTSU Jazz Network through WMOT.org at 7 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month.

It is also available on other cable outlets in Middle Tennessee, so check local listings.

It is also available as a podcast on iTunes and Google Play and as individual interview segments on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/453hxg3.

Watch previous episodes of “Out of the Blue” at https://mtsunews.com/out-of-the-blue.

— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)