2008 Woodie Awards
Culture Night hopes to become annual tradition
Charlie Upchurch
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: Culture
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The evening began at five p.m. Tables lined the sidewalk next to Royall with a buffet-style array of cuisines spanning from Caribbean eggplant spread to Russian crab soup to Indian samye dessert soup.
"The food part was volunteered by the different student cultural organizations," said Chiluba John Musonda, a UMKC senior and one of the eight International Campus Ambassadors. "Everyone got to showcase their culture's food-we've all had our taste of American food and now everyone gets to try different things from around the world."
Musonda is a Student Ambassador from his hometown of Zambia, Africa. He represents just one of over 70 countries from which UMKC students hail.
"We just wanted to show the diversity at UMKC," he said.
The event drew a large crowd that seemed to enjoy learning about one another's different cultures.
Kristen McMillen, UMKC sophomore and UMKC International Academic Assistant, and Gina Breene, junior and International Campus Ambassador from Germany, were able to speak together in German.
"I love other cultures," said McMillen. "I studied abroad in Germany and it was really fun to talk with Gina in German. It's really cool to have different foods and fashions representing so many countries under one roof."
After students, faculty, and staff got their chance to sample the food, organizers managed to herd the crowd into Room 111 for the performances.
The acts ranged from a mrudangam performance (a type of Indian classical drum), a multitude of Chinese pop songs, to Mexican folklore.
One of the highlights of the night was an African dance by the African Student Culture Organization (ASCO).
The entire audience cheered throughout their number and clapped in rhythm with the music. The dance consisted of a mix of West, South, and Central African dance, according to Promise Nwaneri, UMKC Senior and member of ASCO.
"This is my first time to participate in something like this and I hope people enjoy it," Nwaneri said. "We just wanted to let people know about our organization and to raise awareness about good things coming out of Africa."
The night was smoothly led by Musonda and Brenne, whose amiability and on-the-spot humor carried the mood of the evening between acts.
The pair were able to keep the packed auditorium laughing and involved while they raffled off small sculptures and knick-knacks inspired by different cultures. All proceeds from the raffle were donated to UNICEF.
The night ended successfully, hopefully reigniting the Culture Night tradition.
"It used to be an annual thing, and then it stopped for a few years," said Musconda. "We worked really hard to put this together and want to make sure it becomes a tradition again. I don't think people realize how global we are."
His sentiment was echoed by Sandra Gault, the Director of International Student Affairs at UMKC.
"It's wonderful seeing students invite America in," she said. "I'd like to think we're bringing the world the UMKC."
cupchurch@unews.com
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