So, since USC Nikkei is putting on its first (ever) Culture Night this year, we figured that it was a good idea for all of us to get together, have some good food+fun, and think about why we're actually putting one on. Here's some pictures to help get you through all the text.
This picture cracks me up. We started off the day by giving everyone a CN Buddy! and played this game called Bird on a Perch. Basically, it involves running around in circles until someone yells "BIRDONAPERCH," after which everyone has to find their partner and jump on them. You don't see any of that here though- just lots of joyful, carefree frolicking.
Notice how much fun everyone is having, despite having lost already. Don't notice the girl tending to her wounded knee.
After what will always be remembered as the "Rice + Spam" potluck, we had each of our performing groups show their skills to the rest of Culture Night. Of course, we started off with USC's very own Kazan Taiko! They officially became their own separate student organization this year. Guess where they're performing on April 26th!
If you said Nikkei's Culture Night, then awesome! If not, then you're wrong. Sorry.
After Taiko, we performed a scene from our skit. To let everyone in on the story, the skit this year features 5 kids in Japanese school who, in order to not flunk out, have to (you guessed it) put on a Culture Show-show-show-show!From left to right: Jason (the Taiwanese best friend), Trey (the Yonsei male love interest), Mi (the valley girl from Japan), Leaf (the half-JA female love interest), and Laura (the angry video blogger from Hawaii).
Our last performance group was from Nikkei's very own hip hop team! (Name yet to be decided). Just like Taiko and skit and the rest of Culture Night, it's history in the making with the very first team from our club! You know those pictures that are awesome because there's that one person who looks awkward, or two? Well, this is like that, only everyone seems to be in an awkward pose. That's Awesome x 12!
After we had each group perform, we gave everyone an opportunity to learn one of the others. Of course, a lot of people flocked to Taiko (who wouldn't?), but skit and dance had a good number of people as well. The dance that Sean led was actually the Odori piece we're performing for Culture Night, otherwise known as Soran Bushi. They look like superheroes.
All in all, I think everyone had a fun time at CN Retreat. We talked for a while about what we have learned and still have to learn about why we put one on in the first place. Each part of CN (skit, Taiko, hip hop, Odori, etc.) is really a unique aspect of JA culture, if you want to look at it that way. More than anything though, it's ultimately about building community and shared experiences, which is what really define any culture at the end of the day. Be on the lookout for more Culture Night updates as April 26th approaches!
I'm gonna go take a nap now before Taiko.
-Victor
2 comments:
Hey guys! Chantelle told me about this blog -- and what a great way to see what's going on! Just an old alum here...but I wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on making this year such a success! It looks like so much has already happened this year, and there's much more to come, so keep up the great work. And recruit those freshmen! Haha.
-Jace ('07)
jace(dot)hieda(at)gmail(dot)com
Hey! Nice to see you're visiting the site!
Stay tuned for more!
5 more weeks until our CULTURE NIGHT!!!
Post a Comment