If you were one of the standing-room-only attendees at last year’s Cultural Showcase event, held on the Lansdowne campus in the Young building, you might be relieved to hear of the event’s biggest change this year. The annual event, a talent show of sorts for Camosun’s international students, will take place at the Victoria Conservatory of Music’s the Alix Goolden Hall (the Victoria Conservatory of Music is where Camosun’s music program runs). In other words, you’ll likely get a seat this time around.
“Last year we had people standing along the walls and in the hall,” says Camosun International Experience Facilitator Vivian Trinh, who is working with the students this year to help the event, now in its seventh year, run smoothly.
Trinh says that the showcase—which is free, but donations for the Phelisanong Project (a community-based South African group working for change in their region) will be accepted—is a great opportunity to see the amazing diversity that Camosun has. But that’s not the only reason that students should check it out.
“It’s extremely inspiring to witness the talent and courage it takes to stand up on that stage,” she says. “There is so much talent involved behind the scenes and on the stage. These students are wonderful performers and have committed so much time and energy to share their talent and culture wtih the community.”
Camosun student (and Nexus columnist) Vishal Pandey will be hosting the event. He says that students should go because it’s a fusion of different cultures at one place.
“You get to see performances and songs and dances from different countries from all over the world, so it’s all coming together at one place,” says Pandey. “That’s what it’s all about, right? Coming together. That’s what Camosun is, all the international students, domestic students, everyone comes together. It’s not just a show; it’s the initiative that counts.”
Those who go can expect to see and hear salsa dancing, acoustic guitar, Russian music, jazz/hip-hop/pop dances, Brazilian bossa nova, Chinese dancing, classical piano and flute, Mexican folk dancing, and much more, according to Trinh. She adds that being involved with such a diverse group of students helps her stay connected to the world.
“I’ve spent a great amount of time travelling, and working in this environment allows me to go around the world while staying in Victoria,” she says. “I’m given the opportunity to connect and learn about so many different cultures; it’s almost as good as being there myself.”
Camosun Cultural Showcase
7pm Friday, March 14
Free (donations accepted), Alix Goolden Hall
camosun.ca/international