Friday night, the Center for the Arts was filled with the sounds, colors and dances of the world. Despite the frigid weather, International Fiesta was sold out with many students still clamoring for last minute tickets.
According to Student Association President Ernesto Alvarado, the show is crucial for the UB community.
'This show is really important because it is the third biggest event we have in the Student Association,' Alvarado said. 'It is a great showcase for all the clubs [and promotes] a lot of cultural knowledge being spread throughout UB.'
Seven SA groups participated in the competition for a cash prize. The first act started off with the Malaysian Student Association. The group performed an array of different cultural dances, and surprised the audience with a Lady Gaga themed finale that had the crowd on its feet.
The Filipino American Student Association then took to the stage. It wowed the crowd with Tinikling, an intricate bamboo pole dance. The highlight of their time on stage was the balancing acts they performed using liquid filled glasses while dancing the Tinikling.
The Organization of Arab Students came on stage after. The organization opened up with a view into the palace of a Middle Eastern king. The stage then exploded with tinkling bells and the hypnotic moves of graceful belly dancers. The students finished off their act with the traditional Dabkeh dance.
Like many of the SA groups that night, the Chinese Student Association had a theme-based act. Its performance depicted the legend of Mulan. Starting off with a graceful water sleeve dance, the Chinses SA finished off with a martial arts performance that showed Mulan's transition from a girl into a warrior.
The Latin American Student Association finished off the first act. Performing with a backdrop of a South American village, LASA showcased its diversity in an act that included the Chacarera, Argentinean Zamba and Tango. It ended with a sizzling Reggae tone number that had the audience on its feet.
The Indian Student Association was the first group to perform in the second act. Portraying the diversity of India, it performed a number of dances styles including Bhangra, Garba and Bollywood. The Indian SA finished off with a grand finale, tying all these dance styles together and showing the unity of these diverse cultures under one nation.
The Japanese Student Association ended the lineup of competing groups. Using a backdrop color scheme and different dance techniques they depicted the various seasons of Japan.
As the judges deliberated who was the night's winner, there was plenty of talent to keep the audience entertained. The exhibition segment contained diverse dance styles performed by the Caribbean Student Association, UB Assassins, UB Zeal and the Polish Student Association. Each group brought something different, carrying over the diversity element of the whole show into the exhibition act.
After much deliberation the judges announced the Filipino American Student Association as the winning act, followed by the Indian Student Association and the Latin American Student Association.
Following the success of pervious International Fiestas, expectations for this year's show were high. Maullika Dua, a junior biological sciences major, believed the show over exceeded its predecessors.
'I thought the show was really good, I loved all the colors, the music, I think they improved a lot from last year,' Dua said. 'They were very well coordinated. Each of the SA groups added something different this year.'
According to Andrilisa Read, International Coordinator for SA, the show was a huge success because of all the dedicated participants.
'The show was amazing,' Read said. 'It's about the people who leave their heart out on that stage. They have been practicing for months, endless hours…this year the judges have struggled the most, because it was extremely close.'
This notion was seconded by judge Justin Schceiber, a UB alumni.
'I think all the SA groups did a phenomenal job and they should all be proud of themselves,' Schceiber said. 'The voting was very close…overall what it came down to was just a matter of small finite details that put the [Filipino American Student Association] over the edge.'
Despite the competitive nature of the show, many of the groups performing did not consider winning their primary goal.
'We are not going into the competition to win, but to get recognition from [the students and the community],' said Derek Chong, a senior computer science major and Malyasian Student Association dancer.
According to Rawey Kased, a senior media study major and Organization of Arab Students choreographer, culture was the main point.
'We are out here to promote our culture,' Kased said. 'It's all about the culture. It brings people together.'
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
