2008 Woodie Awards
PREVIEW: INTERNATIONAL NIGHT
By: Nikole Brown
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Preview
At 7 pm May 4 in Grant Gym the Multicultural Center & International Student Affairs will host International Night: Around the World in One Night. In one night attendees will experience over 14 countries through international cuisine, cultural performances and fashion.
Wenceslaus P'Oryem, event planner and director of International Students Affairs, said he felt that compared to last year, international students will have more involvement in all aspects of the show.
Although MCISA hired professional performers, such as belly dancers and a flamenco society troupe, there also will be student performances. There are several student singers presenting music from Africa, China, India and Japan. The Martial Arts club will also perform their knowledge of the Eastern fighting art form. Jason Kenney, former employee, student and president of the Martial Arts Club, said he is nervous about the performance. Although he will only have one performer, who goes by the stage name Epic, he expects four other members will be in attendance. He also plans to try and recruit during the evening.
"I want people to feel like they can come do this, even if they haven't done it before," said Kenney.
The fashion show will showcase clothing from 14 different countries, including China, India and Nigeria. The international dinner will be catered from restaurants all over St. Louis, such as Hacienda (Mexican), Mango (Peruvian) and House of India (Indian).
There will be booths with information on different cultures, but P'Oryem said the performances by students will be the main attraction this year.
Students can attend the event for free, but they must obtain a ticket from the MCISA offices beforehand. Faculty and staff tickets cost $6, and community tickets cost $8. P'Oryem said the event has always charged staff and community to off set the amount spent to host the event.
"The international dinner involved a large part of the cost," P'Oryem said.
Emma LaHues, one of the MCISA graduate assistants, said she assisted P'Oryem in brainstorming, advertising and posting flyers. She said this year's event is different due to more student performances and planning.
"This year, I mostly assisted. Wenceslaus wanted more focus on international involvement," LaHues said.
Wenceslaus P'Oryem, event planner and director of International Students Affairs, said he felt that compared to last year, international students will have more involvement in all aspects of the show.
Although MCISA hired professional performers, such as belly dancers and a flamenco society troupe, there also will be student performances. There are several student singers presenting music from Africa, China, India and Japan. The Martial Arts club will also perform their knowledge of the Eastern fighting art form. Jason Kenney, former employee, student and president of the Martial Arts Club, said he is nervous about the performance. Although he will only have one performer, who goes by the stage name Epic, he expects four other members will be in attendance. He also plans to try and recruit during the evening.
"I want people to feel like they can come do this, even if they haven't done it before," said Kenney.
The fashion show will showcase clothing from 14 different countries, including China, India and Nigeria. The international dinner will be catered from restaurants all over St. Louis, such as Hacienda (Mexican), Mango (Peruvian) and House of India (Indian).
There will be booths with information on different cultures, but P'Oryem said the performances by students will be the main attraction this year.
Students can attend the event for free, but they must obtain a ticket from the MCISA offices beforehand. Faculty and staff tickets cost $6, and community tickets cost $8. P'Oryem said the event has always charged staff and community to off set the amount spent to host the event.
"The international dinner involved a large part of the cost," P'Oryem said.
Emma LaHues, one of the MCISA graduate assistants, said she assisted P'Oryem in brainstorming, advertising and posting flyers. She said this year's event is different due to more student performances and planning.
"This year, I mostly assisted. Wenceslaus wanted more focus on international involvement," LaHues said.
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