Show to highlight world cultures, stress unity

Just less than one week away from the University's first-ever pan-ethnic cultural show, participants of "Encompass: Many in One" are getting ready for the big day.

Planners say the task, by nature, is a challenging one for an infant organization, requiring the coordination of 180 participants from 13 different student groups.

But that's what makes the Encompass show unique - bringing together people of different backgrounds in one combined effort.

Allen Narcisse, co-coordinator of Encompass, said that although there have been many individual cultural shows on campus, none have attempted to bring together ethnic groups from all corners of the world.

The idea for the show and newly formed Encompass organization, which is putting together the event, grew out of a concern that many students remain socially segregated.

DANA LINNANE/Daily LSA seniors Cynthia Mahesh, Cecile Danal and Ami Shah practice in the Michigan League for Saturday's Encompass cultural show.

"You hear a lot of students say that there is a lot of diversity on campus, but still not enough interaction between groups," said Narcisse, a Business Administration senior.

The show, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Michigan Theater, will feature Congolese, Persian and salsa dancing as well as a Korean Traditional Performing Arts Group and other performances.

Organizers said they hope to attract a crowd that is just as varied as the performances.

"The best part is how diverse the audience is going to be for this show," said Encompass organizer Dina Patel, a Business Administration senior. "That usually doesn't happen."

Preparing for the show has already brought many participants of different backgrounds closer together, said co-coordinator Shelby Wong, an LSA senior.

"Along the way, you naturally establish friendships," Wong said.

Students branched out by performing pieces from cultures other than their own.

LSA senior Cynthia Mahesh, choreographer of a traditional Tamil Indian dance that was also performed at the Indian American Student Association Cultural Show this fall, said the participation of non-Indian students in the dance enhances the performance.

She said the participants who aren't Indian American often suggested adding moves that had a little different style.

"They bring a little bit of their own culture into it," Mahesh said.

SNRE first-year student Norah Rabiah, a participant in an Arabic dance, said that although she had never done Arabic dancing before, she found it came naturally to her.

"I've always been kind of timid, but (our choreographer) was always up there saying 'come on, this is part of your culture,'" Rabiah said.

She agreed with others at a dress rehearsal yesterday that one of the best parts of the show was getting to know the other participants.

Tickets for the show, $7.50 for the main floor and $5.50 for the balcony, are available at the Michigan Union Ticket Office and will also be available at the door.

01-11-99