DeKALB — The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) hosted a showcase on Tuesday in Wirtz Hall. The event featured multiple performances ranging from dancing to musical instruments.
The performances kicked off with a lion dance, performed by Chi Sigma Tau. A lion dance is a traditional dance in China and other Asian countries. The dance is typically performed around the Lunar New Year and is said to bring good luck and fortune.
Additional dance performances followed, along with games including dancing that encouraged members of the audience to participate.
One member of the audience, senior psychology major Jonathan Venecia, said the event helped highlight the Asian Community at NIU.
“The Asian community on campus is very diverse, and there are a lot of people in the community who are very talented and are very willing to perform and showcase their culture,” Venecia said.
Several musical instrument performances, ranging from soloists to band ensembles, were also featured throughout the showcase.
James Lapenas, a sophomore psychology major who performed piano at the event, said he hopes his performance inspires others.
“I hope to inspire people with performing,” Lapenas said. “Being able to play and just express yourself artistically, I feel like it’s very important and it’s a whole other part of ourselves. Being able to do that and especially just to play in front of people, that’s a whole lot of fun.”
The showcase was organized by OHANA, a program within the AARC that hosts events open to all NIU students.
Blessing Coranez, OHANA nights coordinator and junior philosophy major, spoke about planning events and creating a space where all are welcome.
“It’s just an honor and a privilege to be able to create space for people who may not have grown up in the United States. To have that opportunity to show people, ‘hey, this is who I am, and I am proud to show it to people,.’” Coranez said.
The next OHANA event will be held from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the AARC, called the OHANA: Rice Cook-Off, which gives students a chance to show off their cooking skills.
