For those students who are on campus nights or weekends, members
of cultural groups are easily spotted in Bruin Plaza doing anything
from a variety of dances to staged fights.
These students have one common goal ““ to host a successful
culture show, typically taking place during spring quarter with the
aim of sharing traditions with the campus and community.
The groups start planning these shows during the summer and
recruitment starts as early as first week of fall quarter.
“I would describe it as more than just a show. …
It’s a journey,” said Joann Yatar, a third-year
psychology and English student and the co-coordinator for the
modern dance portion of the Samahang Pilipino culture show.
The number of people involved in this “journey,”
varies greatly among the different groups.
The Samahang Pilipino show, known as Pilipino Culture Night, has
at times included 300 participants, while the Festival Latino works
with 25 organizers during the year and depends on volunteers to
help with the big event that attracted nearly 5,000 people last
year.
Other groups rely more on their community to help them with the
long process.
“This and most of our other events are intercollegiate.
… Thai clubs from different universities are also
involved,” said Sarin Prakobwanakit, a second-year molecular,
cell and developmental biology student and external vice president
of the UCLA Thai Smakom.
For Thai Smakom, help comes from community financial
contributions and professionals teaching students how to perform
traditional puppet shows and dances.
Another unique feature of Thai Smakom is that students of
different ethnic backgrounds are involved in the programs, said
Vanda Asapahu, a fourth-year international development studies
student and co-cultural director for the group.
“The goal of the shows is to preserve heritage both within
the Thai community and the club,” Asapahu said.
The diversity within the group makes it more effective, since it
increases awareness through participation, she added.
Many club members are often eager to learn about Thai culture
and said wearing the traditional costume is an experience in
itself.
Prakobwanakit said the show is also a learning experience for
members. Many of them grew up in the United States, so the show
gives them an opportunity to expand their knowledge of Thai
culture.
She added that the culture show and the commitment that goes
into it shows that the group is proud of its heritage.
But, this commitment and dedication is not limited to one
group.
Members of Samahang Pilipino try to give back to the Pilipino
community by doing run-throughs of the show at a high school in
Historic Filipino Town in Los Angeles.
The group also invites older generations and alumni to the night
of the event.
Yatar, of Samahang Pilipino, said the elders of the community
always appreciate seeing youth going back to their cultural
roots.
She added that their organizer often reminds them of the goal of
the show, which is to tell the story from a Pilipino youth
perspective and understand how it is similar to and different from
that of its ancestors.
When all the practicing is behind them, it’s time for the
show.
This is Asapahu’s fourth year participating in the Thai
Smakom show, and she said friends and family, as well as members of
the community, are astonished year after year that all of the
programs are put on by a group of students.
Though everyone agrees that all their efforts were worth the end
result, no one denies that at times it can get tough.
“Toward the middle of the year, it gets exhausting,”
said Maria Guiza, a third-year political science student and
co-director of Festival Latino.
She added that when they collect positive responses via surveys
from the attendees and read the comments, it makes up for the
exhaustion.
Yet, several club members agree the extensive training can have
an effect on grades.
“But you have to keep reminding yourself why you are in
it,” Yatar said, referring to the friends that are made
through the process and the value of the show to those who will be
graduating.
Organizers said after the shows, people ask questions about
different traditions and it gives the audience a better
understanding of its peers.
The shows have many components and are necessary because they
show the presence of minorities on campus, said Catrice Lawson, a
fourth-year world arts and cultures student and co-director of the
African Arts Ensemble.
“They enrich the culture of UCLA,” she added.