During a night of food, fun and entertainment, a variety of international student organizations showcased their cultures Friday night on a Student Union stage.
The International Fiesta, run by the International Clubs Council, hosted over 15 different music and dance acts that sampled both traditional and modern aspects of various cultures.
Prior to the show, an equally diverse palette of foods - ranging from Indonesian to Latin American - lined the Flag Room for a multicultural dinner.
For many participants, the Fiesta was about more than just entertainment.
"UB is diverse and the International Fiesta is a good opportunity for it to become integrated," said Shana Malette, a freshman nursing major who performed in the soulful "Sankofa" with the African Dance Troupe. "It provides us with culture and food to get a taste of all the world."
With the Fiesta generating an immense turnout filling the main lobby, spilling out into hallways and snaking up to the second floor, the audience seemed eager to brave new cultural experiences the event presented.
"It's an opportunity to show other people my culture and advertise what being Indian is about." Shalagha Jain, a sophomore industrial engineering major.
Jain performed with the Indian Student Association in a spiritual Indian dance that involved traditional flowing garbs with a mix of both conventional and modern Indian music.
With colorful lighting to set the atmosphere for each act, much of the Fiesta demonstrated not only the integration of cultures, but also of tradition and modernity.
Sabrina Kharouba, a senior political science major with the Organization of Arab Students, explained that her group tried to mix both old and new culture into their act.
"We got to put a little American hip-hop and techno into our belly dance. We tried to be creative as possible," she said.
Performers in the Fiesta weren't limited to UB students. Corinne Lasek, a sophomore at West Seneca East High School, performed with a group of Greek dancers, who opened the show to an immense, cheering audience.
"It was awesome, the crowd was so charged," Lasek said.
According to Robin Padliya, a sophomore mechanical engineer major who performed in the UB Bhangra, the closing act of the show, performing for the Fiesta involved intense preparation.
"We've practiced at least two hours a day, three times a week for the past two weeks," said Padliya.
"It's a huge adrenaline rush to perform on stage. It feels really good to represent our culture," she added.
Judging by the excitement of the dancers after they had performed, the preparation and anticipation was worth it.
"You always have butterflies before you go on, but then the music and the rhythm take you away," said Jon Wu, a junior international studies major.
Wu performed in the "Traditional Tinkling Dance with Modern Interpretation," a powerful crowd-pleasing act that involved energetic dancing and Stomp!-like props.
"In the end, it's just all of us having fun," said Wu.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
