From The Western Front
Every seat was filled in the Performing Arts Center during Culture Shock, an annual event held by the Ethnic Student Center showcasing the talents of cultural clubs and individuals, Thursday, May 8.
Don Pham preforms a song at Western’s Culture Shock Wednesday May 8, at the Preforming Arts Center. // Photo by Bailey Barnard
This year’s event included dancing, singing, spoken word and poetry. Twenty performances ranged from bhangra, an Indian folk dance, to a dance to Beyoncé’s “Partition.” Costumes varied from the flowery skirts of hula dancers to the colorful outfits of Baile Folclorico de WWU.
Western senior Polly Woodbury, the Ethnic Student Center program support coordinator, said Culture Shock is a learning experience for people participating in and coming to the event.
“It’s a cultural showcase and an opportunity for the community, students and faculty to share their culture as well as learn,” Woodbury said.
Woodbury hoped the recent diversity rally increased the awareness for Culture Shock and brought light to cultural events on campus, she said.
“No matter what’s happening on campus, I think sharing your culture, affirming your identity and being able to represent who you are is important,” Woodbury said.
Western junior Teena Thach, the Ethnic Student Center public relations coordinator, said one of the purposes of Culture Shock is to celebrate the talent of the members of cultural clubs at Western.
Culture Shock shows the unity of the students from the Ethnic Student Center and how much they want to share with the community, Thach said.
AS president elect Annika Wolters said Culture Shock is an opportunity to share and show off, as well as educate people in the audience.
Read the full article from The Western Front.
