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Rob_Hugo@PortNWI was wondering, did you guys attend any Culture night shows on campus or other campuses this year? Which storylines did you like? Did you learn anything new?
I attended UCLA's Vietnamese CN back in fall quarter, UCLA's Chinese CN (in the winter, i think), and UCI's Vietnamese CN this quarter.
The most serious one was UCLA's Vietnamese. The storyline was very dramatic, and also very complicated. To this day, I'm still a little unsure of how the plot of the show ended. I really enjoyed the Chinese CN and UCI's Viet CN. Both were entertaining because they incorporated comedy with a serious and dramatic plot. The Chinese CN was based on how two characters maintained their Chinese roots, and how one of them copes with the issue of suicide of a close friend. The UCI VCN focused on the historical event of Operation Babylift which occured with the fall of Saigon in 1975. The theme of their show was very appropriate since it was the 30th anniversary of the end of the War. The main character was an infant that was lifted out of Vietnam, and she went back about 20 years later in an attempt to find her parents that she was disconnected from for so long. It incorporated a lot of family ties, and for the main character, she wanted to know how and why she was separated from her family.
I'm not trying to exclusive or anything, but I find it so funny how the Vietnamese CN shows include jokes spoken in Vietnamese. It's easy to understand when you're Vietnamese...and I know other culture night shows work in that same way.
What I find so interesting is how much time and effort is put into making these shows..alot of dedication, commitment, etc. And from whatever background you come from, you can still go and enjoy these culture shows because we as a younger generation seem to always be trying to hang onto our roots, and these shows help us to maintain them.
-Anna
AnonymousI went to see UCLA's VNC. I also thought the plot was very complicated. I think at the end, the village people (court) found out who killed the man. It turned out to be the governor's son, I believe, i'm not quite sure anymore since it's been a long time. I really admire the effort and dedication that these students put into the project. Being able to put on a show like that means a lot of work. Since I'm a member of VSU, i hope to become more active next year, and maybe participate in the show. I think not only the audience gets a glimpse of the culture, but those involved in the show get to learn more about their own culture as well.
Anonymousi went to UCLA's VNC. i thought it was very professional and well-prepared. the actors and actresses were amazing. i was quite impressed at how professional college students can be preparing for these things. however, like minh said, the storyline was too complicated for me since i am no longer as fluent in vietnamese as before, but i do appreciate these culture nights UCLA students put together for us because they do teach us a lot about our roots and who we are.
AnonymousThat's really awesome that you guys were able to attend the Culture Night shows that pertain to your ethnicity. I regret not going or even knowing about the Chinese Culture Night. And I only recently felt this sense of regret because I realized how valuable these shows are when I had the opportunity to attend the Indian Culture Night just this past weekend.
One of my good friends in the dorm is Indian so I just tagged along with her to the Indian CN for an experience and education of Indian culture. All I can say is WOW I got that and a whole lot more. My high school had very few Indian students so growing up I had sparse exposure to Indian culture, other than the occasional stereotypical Simpson's based "Thank you come again" line and a few Bollywood movies that never really impressed me. However after attending the show I came out with a whole new appreciation for that culture; and I realize that sounds overexaggerated and extreme but I write this because I mean it (and I'm so glad someone started this thread so I could share my eye-opening experience).
Most of the show was a series of varied Indian dances: traditional, modern, hip-hop, and a fusion of all three. The dances were so beautiful and interesting, and both girls AND guys danced which for me I thought was somewhat unconventional. The passion with which our male and female Indian college students danced with was inspiring. I wanted to break out in dance with them. . .maybe my friend can teach me a few moves. . .watch out for me in the next Bollywood movie! hehe.
AnonymousThis may be late notice, but if any of you are free tomorrow (Friday 6/3) Korean Culture Night is having their performance of Changsu at the Wilshire Ebell Theater at 7pm. I thought it would be appropriate to post because we are on the topic of Culture Nights. KCN actually already performed this musical earlier at Royce; this is their second and last performance. So check it out!
AnonymousWe are all so lucky to be at UCLA where our culture comes alive.
Just the other night, I was walking to Bruin Cafe for dinner and hear drum sounds coming from the NW Auditorium. So I walked in & enjoyed the last 30 minutes of Taiko drumming. As I stood there, I watched the faces of the performers and the expressions of the audience members...... I was just as entranced as they are. I remember I had a friend who became quite distraught when she "didn't make Taiko". Wow...... I thought people would feel that way about making a sports team!
I wish I went to the Indian CN. I hear that it's one of the best, of not the best.
I went to the ACA Chinese CN. Very well put together! They practiced for weeks and months; I know this, because my friend Lena would have dinner with me after practice and tell me about it.
I saw a lot of our GE classmates at the Chinese CN. NICE! Hope to see you all at future CN events =)
-Ames
AnonymousI agree with Van Lin that Inidian culture is amazing and their dances are a joy to watch. I didn't get a chance to go to the Indian CN, but I've been to three Indian garbas with my Indian friends. It's basically a big dance party with lots of music and dancing and it's just awesomous! If you liked the Indian CN, you should ask your friends to take you to ucla's garba next year and you can borrow their clothes and stuff.
I also am REALLY REALLY impressed with Indian dancing. They all can do it so well and it requires a lot of energy, coordination, and skill (which i could sadly only try to imitate at the garbas). It's a lot of fun to try though, so I hope some of you guys will come next year!!
AnonymousOk...so i was reading over some of the replies...and it made me recollect about when i was younger and I did a lot of Vietnamese traditional dance performances. Me and a bunch of girls my age would make up dances to Vietnamese songs using props such as umbrellas, hats, fans, scarves, drums....you guys have seen it at CN shows. Then we'd perform them at annual culture shows around the city or during Tet (Vietnamese New Year's). I remember LOVING to wear the traditional attire and do a little fashion show in front of the Vietnamese community. And i was wondering did any of you guys do this? and i know this question is not solely limited to the girls in this class...because we had guys perform with us in these dances too.
AnonymousI attended the Chinese Culture Night Show during the winter, and it definitely is really funny when they include jokes that are in Chinese or only Asian people would understand. I think they put so much effort into making these shows work because they want people to understand Asian culture in our American society. So many times our roots become lost due to American culture. The Culture Night Show was a way for me to remember my heritage in a non-academic and entertaining way.
AnonymousIronically, the only culture show i went to this year was the PACN at USC because one of my best friends played a lead role in the story. it was interesting though because it was a filipino american culture nite and my friend is actually chinese. But it was cool seeing all the different dances and costumns and mockery of filipino accents. They did a skit with a storyline that spanned throughout the performance and integrated dances into different parts of the plot, so it was educational yet entertaining at the same time.