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Printer-Friendly ModeSeventh annual SVSU Intercultural Night a success
April 7, 2008 —
A theme involving energy conservation didn't stop students from heating up the Malcom Field Theatre for Performing Arts last Thursday night with an array of diverse performances at SVSU's seventh annual Intercultural Night.
Members of the International Students Club united to represent their native countries through 11 performances featuring dances and songs unique to each culture. The night's theme, "Live Together," had an eco-friendly connotation, as conversation and environmental preservation were reoccurring messages.
SVSU theater majors kept the night rolling by providing brief ecological insights before introducing each act as the emcees for the evening. Countries represented throughout the performance included China, France, Germany, Kenya, Korea, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the African continent, which the performers dedicated their dance to Abou Traore, the Senegal student that passed away last fall.
Director of Intercultural Night Patrick Konesko took charge helping to plan acts and organize the event.
"We've seen a lot of new groups this year," the theater senior said. "It's nice to see someone who has never been on stage before representing their culture."
International Students Advisor Pat Shelley, who introduced the show, credits the students for shouldering most of the preparatory work.
"Students came up with their own ideas for acts, and they did lots of practicing on their own," he said. "Some started practicing months ago. There are a large variety of acts, all of equal importance."
Students from China kicked off the evening with a Taiji Quan Kung fu show. Business Management freshman Xudong Chi was among the 11 performers in the act. "We chose Kung fu because it is only in China," he said. "It is a symbol of Chinese culture."
Some students performed in several acts throughout the night. Accounting senior Pritesh Gosrani, a student from Kenya, danced both with African and Indian hip-hop groups.
"It was fun practicing with all the different international students during dress rehearsals and performing with them," he said. "It was a good night. Even America performed, which was cool."
American students brought their rendition of the YouTube phenomenon "Evolution of Dance" to center stage.
Laila Shrestha of Nepal danced with Kenya, Nepal and Africa. The soon-to-be graduate performed in her third and final Intercultural Night.
"I got involved in other dances through friends," she said. "It was hard to remember all of the steps, but I really like dancing."
A fashion show commenced before intermission, which showcased student-designed apparel made entirely from recycled goods. Student models strutted the stage in getups such as a Capri Sun and trash-bag summer dress, and a phone book and copy-paper office ensemble.
A number that really got the crowd clapping along was the Saudi Arabian song and dance routine in which the students were clad in traditional Saudi garments.
"Last year everyone liked our act, so we did it again this year with a different style," performer Ahmed Al Ghafly said. "We are excited for Dabka because it is our first time doing it," the mechanical engineering student said before the show, referring to part of the act.
Korean students capped off the night with a Stomp-like performance called "Nanta," which involved the traditional Korean rhythm "Samulnori." Staying in sync with the conservation theme, the students produced their rhythms entirely from a variety of recycled and reusable kitchen supplies.
With the help of a grant from Valley Nights, the students performed an additional show that was open to the public on Friday night.
History freshman Alanna Leslie went to feed her cultural intellect on the Thursday student night peformance.
"It was absolutely amazing," she said. "Whenever a group performed, it was like I was really in that country. They made the show so fascinating and interesting."
