The Faculty Mentor Program (FMP) Student Organization at California State University, Stanislaus held their fourth annual Culture Show in the Event Center last Wednesday.
Indulging in diverse foods was just the beginning, as the night included acting, dancing and music.
“We need more events like this,” Goldie Pabla, CSU Stanislaus alumna, said. “This is a great opportunity for organizations to showcase their hard work and talent.”
Faculty Mentor Dr. Keith Nainby and University Student Union Social Awareness Coordinator Jose Legaspi emceed the night which began with clubs and organizations informing guests about their group and what they do on campus.
“We try to find clubs on campus that are culturally-based, like M.E.Ch.A [Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán], Teatro L.H.D.C [Teatro Los Hijos Del Campo], ISA [Indian Students Association] and the Hmong Students Association [to participate],” Chelsea Hawthorn, FMP Student Organization Vice President of Programs, said.
“We also open it up to clubs that are not culturally-based, just any type of club on campus that wants to pick an aspect of culture to show or [clubs that] work with different types of people, like the Sociology club.”
As the crowd settled down and digested all the delightful dishes, Teatro L.H.D.C, an Hispanic-based club that performs skits that promote social, political and educational awareness, performed a contemporary crowd-pleasing skit about a Mexican superhero battling border patrol. While shedding light on the issue of illegal immigration, Teatro utilized humor throughout, making the Mexican superhero’s choice of weapons tortillas and canned beans.
The Hmong Students Association followed, entertaining the audience with a traditional Hmong dance. Men and women joined in elegant ancestral attire making the audience feel like part of a celebration. With over 20 members involved, they represented the growing population of Hmong on campus.
Interactively involving the whole audience, the ISA taught bhangra. Bringing a modern twist to the original dance originating in the Punjab region, the group members kept the audience’s spirits and arms lifted.
Finishing off the night, Faculty Mentor Dr. Marty Giaramita, professor of Geology, and his group members, including Faculty Mentor Dr. Ann Kohlhaas, professor of Biology, played several West African-style songs.
The integration of traditional West African drums such as the djembe and conga drum with hand claps and a cowbell created warm, soothing rhythms.
The audience remained intrigued throughout the night, actively participating not just in the bhangra lesson, but in each unique act.
“The whole point is to try to get people on campus to realize how many different cultures there are around them and to try to get more involved with them,” Hawthorn said.
“It’s such a diverse campus that we want to make sure everybody is represented.”