Competition heats up International Fiesta

The International Fiesta, a Student Association-hosted program that takes place every spring, is getting a makeover for 2005.

For the past 35 years, the International Fiesta has been a multi-cultural program, featuring a dinner with many cultural dishes and followed by a free talent show in the Student Union.

Last year, International Fiesta brought in around 1,200 spectators who crowded around the small stage, entranced in the atmosphere of ornate costumes, intricate choreography and traditional music performed.

However, due to increased interest in the International Fiesta, the Student Union is no longer accommodating the many who wish to attend. This year, International Fiesta 2005, entitled "Your Passport to the World," will take place in the Center for the Arts at the mainstage next Friday with a whole new twist; a competitive edge.

Ashraf Badr, the International Club Council Coordinator for the Student Association, had to hire an assistant just to get everything together for the upcoming event. This year, 14 clubs will be competing in the International Fiesta, many doing dance or music performances, although the clubs can perform however they please, according to Badr.

"I just felt that the competition would increase excitement for the crowd and the dancers," Badr said.

Winning competitors will be awarded cash prizes. The competition will be judged by seven UB faculty and staff, who will evaluate the performers based on criteria like costume and dance appearance, to list a few.

First place will receive $1,000, second place will receive $750, and third place will take home $500 for their cultural organization.

"This is the first competition," said Renad Jabaji, a performer for the Organization of Arab Students. "Everyone is hyped. It's going to be a really nice, upper-class event this year."

With both expectations and pressure upped to an entirely different level, participants feel both the excitement and the stress of preparing for the newly renovated International Fiesta.

Jabaji, a senior architecture major, feels that the competition will inspire a new level of interest and excitement for both participants and spectators alike.

"The competition is a positive change, and since it's been moved to the Center for the Arts, it's going to have a more professional atmosphere."

Jabaji, who has been a dancer for four years and a member of the Organization for Arab Students for two years, has been choreographing the group's performance since winter break. The dancers, five men and five women, have been practicing four times a week for an hour since early January in preparation.

The group will be showcasing traditional belly dance costumes along with a fresh infusion of both pop and conventional cultural music.

"We're trying to incorporate hip hop and different parts of our culture," Jabaji said. "There is going to be some traditional, sensual, slow flute music mixed in with the modern pop music you hear on the radio."

Some worry that the competition may dampen the spirit of the event.

"If they make it a competition, people probably won't do it in the spirit of sharing their culture, and probably just to win whatever prize they might get," said Basirat Shoberu, senior biochemical pharmacology major.

For others, the main concern for participants is that International Fiesta is becoming less personal than it has been in past years.

"The only downside is that the new location isn't as intimate," she said. "At the student union the crowd was so close that you could see the details of the costumes and the facial expressions of the performers, hopefully that won't be lost."

Either way, according to Badr, Friday night will be "a memorable night for all those who attend."