PHOTO: The Slacker Chronicles with Eric Yanez, The Signal blogger and social media community manager. Image by The Signal Staff Member Eric Yanez. — The Signal blogger Eric Yanez. Image by The Signal Staff Member Eric Yanez.

UHCL got culture

By Eric Yanez Last updated Apr 25, 2016 395 0

HOTO: Belkis Navarrete, performer, during her folk dance of Mexico performance at UHCL's 20th annual Cultural Extravaganza. Photo by The Signal social media community manager Eric Yanez. — Belkis Navarrete, performer, during her folk dance of Mexico performance at UHCL’s 20th annual Cultural Extravaganza. Photo by The Signal Social Media Community Manager Eric Yanez.

I have not done my homework this week because I was too busy at UHCL’s 20th annual Cultural Extravaganza. This event only comes once a year and both times that I have gone the Bayou Theater was packed. It’s not everyday we get to see belly dancers or even a great singer perform at the university. Cultural Extravaganza, sponsored by Intercultural Student Services, is a talent show like event and each performance shows a different culture; hence the name “Cultural Extravaganza.” All were invited to attend and admission was free to the community and students.

PHOTO; Farnaz Mazhari, biology major, during her belly dance fusion performance at UHCL's 20th annual Cultural Extravaganza. Photo by The Signal social media community manager Eric Yanez. — Farnaz Mazhari, biology major, during her belly dance fusion performance at UHCL’s 20th annual Cultural Extravaganza. *Photo by The Signal social media community manager Eric Yanez.*

Many of the attendees were excited to see all of the acts. Fellow attendee Guadalupe Sicilla stated she was “excited about experiencing and learning about the different cultures.” Even non-UHCL students were pumped about the show. Another attendee, Janet Green, stated she was invited by a friend from UHCL and was “intrigued by the thought of attending a cultural enriching event in where [she] can learn about cultures and see the diversity within the university.”

Farnaz Mazhari, biology major, performed belly dancing during her dance fusion act at Cultural Extravaganza.

“Belly dancing is a unique dance which incorporates every part of the body,” Mazhari said. “There is always something new to learn and I love the challenge. It is a mental release for me and it stimulates my creativity.”

It was nice to catch up with some of the acts before they went on to perform. Colors of the Wind was excited to perform and had been practicing for a month. Some common jitters this group had was that their voices would crack or they would bump the mic off. Nonetheless, Colors of the Wind managed to steal many people’s hearts with a flawless performance.

K-Project, a Korean pop dance group, delivered a jaw dropping performance. Of course great performances don’t just happen, and for K-Project it required practicing since February. K-Project was worried of getting the formations wrong but nailed every move. They said they were “really excited to see all the diversity” during the event.

PHOTO: The group "Desi Rocks" during their performance at the 20th annual Cultural Extravaganza at UHCL. Photo by The Signal Social Media Community Manager Eric Yanez. — The group “Desi Rocks” during their performance at the 20th annual Cultural Extravaganza at UHCL. *Photo by The Signal Social Media Community Manager Eric Yanez.*

Taiwo Adniran, a volunteer for the event, was scheduled to represent Nigeria for the flag ceremony. Adniran heard a lot about the program and wanted to experience it first hand. She also brought up that the food was an important part of the event.

I was amazed with each and every performance that came onto the stage. There is so much diversity at UHCL. All-in-all, I am amazed at how much I enjoyed attending Cultural Extravaganza. Now, to work on my belly dancing skills for next year. Homework can wait.

UPDATED 4/25/16: This post has been updated to add a quote by Farnaz Mazhari about her belly dancing performance.