Technicolour-themed Trinity Hall June Event promised a variety of colour rather than the usual black and white: and this year’s Event provided both plenty of colour and plenty of variety.

There were a variety of outfits, as the ‘smart casual’ dress code was evidently announced too late for those who had already purchased their maxi dresses – there was something of a contrast between those who seemed to have been expecting another May Ball and those wearing jeans. There was a variety of food and drink on offer, from pizza and burgers to popcorn and fajitas; and from cocktails and ‘Vodka-Shark® buckets’ to non-alcoholic fruit punch. Most satisfactorily, there was a real variety of musical entertainment across the four different stages. The Cambridge University Breakdance Club performed to an extremely high standard in the Dining Hall; whilst the Cambridge Salsa Team entertained at another venue three quarters of an hour later. Meanwhile, the main stage in the Front Court featured acts appealing to a variety of musical tastes, including dubstep, soul, and swing.

Colour was chiefly supplied by multicoloured bunting, clusters of glowing lanterns arranged attractively in the marquee housing the main stage, and balloons. A swarm of balloons was released at 9pm, marking the start of the event, and bunches of large balloons were tied near the wall overlooking the river. The wandering balloon man was also a nice touch: his seriously impressive creations, ranging from balloon flowers to balloon top hats and even balloon motorbikes, adorned and added further colour to many revellers. His role as queue entertainment would perhaps have been better fulfilled, however, had he wandered up and down the length of the queue (which stretched along the entirety of Garrett Hostel Lane, ending at Queen’s Road, and lasted for over an hour) rather than entertaining those nearest the entrance.

Further colour was provided by several of the non-musical ents, including a highly popular inflatable slide, which would nonetheless have benefitted from being slightly better-lit; dance mats; face painting; and – on the other hand – the obligatory shisha, which really had nothing to do with the theme.

As far as the music went, the headline act, dubstep giants Nero, drew the crowds but rapidly lost them – one guest remarked to me that the sound quality left a feeling of ‘listening to music in your own room’. Indeed, the nominees for the BBC’s ‘Sound of 2011’ music awards failed to entertain as much as Cambridge favourites Truly Medley Deeply, with – amongst others – their medley of songs from 2010. Aloe Blacc, on the other hand, proved a highlight. As the evening progressed, the acts gracing the Dining Hall became increasingly popular, with a return to childhood (especially for those of us born in the ‘90s) offered by the Cambridge girlband CB3 and their Spice Girls covers, in conjunction with pick ‘n’ mix and hot chocolate. Tiredness had also set in, and it was evident that the rows of benches, and a respite from the cold, were entirely welcome for those for whom this was not their first major May Week event.

Trinity Hall June Event never promised the glamour and the spectacle of a May Ball, but it did guarantee plenty of colour and a great night out: which it delivered.