International Week closes with song and dance

Written by Shambhu Sharan   

Monday, 13 April 2009 07:35 PM

From left, accounting senior Mimi Soulivong, biology senior Iris Baccam and kinesiology senior Magdalene Phanpiboul perform the Golden Lotus Dance at the Global Extravaganza on Friday evening in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. (The Shorthorn: Stephanie Goddard)

International Week ended with music, dances and comedy acts during the Global Extravaganza in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom on Friday night.

International Education Director Jay Horn said the event is the highlight of the week.

“It was a great opportunity to see so many different cultures performing in one evening,” he said.

Twenty students from the Fine Arts Society of India performed Punjabi Bhangra, Garba, Dandiya and Lavanya dances with music in different Indian languages.

Marketing graduate student Bharath Tejasvi said he enjoyed performing a south Indian folk dance.

“It was a nice and good opportunity to showcase our diverse culture of India without any borders,” Tejasvi said.

Lanjiang Zhou, computer science graduate student, played guitar and performed traditional Chinese songs based on the story of a boy and girl. He also sang with other Chinese students playing piano, violin, bass and drums.

The African Student Organization performed Nigerian and Ivorian music dances.

Accounting freshman Ngozi Egbujor said she was excited about showcasing her style of dance to those unfamiliar with her culture.

“I performed the dance to embrace my Nigerian culture,” she said.

The Bangladesh Student Organization performed a dance with music that documented the lives of people in
Bangladesh. Four hundred attendees selected this as the best exhibit.

Salangai are worn during an Indian dance at the Global Extravaganza on Friday evening in the University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. Salangai are ankle bells that emphasize the beat of the dance. (The Shorthorn: Stephanie Goddard)

Mohammad Rahman, BSO president, said the meaning of song is to make the world a better place.

Shuraih Latifi, electrical engineering graduate student, shared his comedy and made people laugh.

“Everybody is funny,” Latifi said. “You have to look at yourself and observe others around you,” he said.

Sevinj Mammadova, education graduate student, performed a Azerbaijan dance and said the Global
Extravaganza was a like visiting multiple countries — in one day.

Amali Fernando, ISO president, distributed awards at the end of the event.

English graduate student Jonny Rose said he particularly enjoyed the Indian dancing presented by FSA.

“I am impressed with Laos dance,” Rose said. “Laos girls were beautiful. The event was amazing.”