Rhythm
Nations Celebrates Smith's Cultural Potpourri
Getting
caught up in the hustle and bustle of academic life is inevitable
at Smith. For students, immersion in the rigorous academic
routine can get in the way of appreciating and enjoying the
rich cultural diversity on campus.
 Thankfully, you don’t
have to study abroad in Asia to sample the region’s music
and interact with its people. And you don’t have to travel
to Africa to feel the rhythm in the continent’s beautifully
choreographed dances.
You can go to Rhythm Nations
instead, on Saturday, March 2, at 7 p.m. in John M. Greene
Hall.
Rhythm Nations is an annual
program of dance, music and demonstrations from different
nations around the globe, organized by the International
Students Organization (ISO).
The event, which is free and
open to all, aims to give the Smith community an opportunity
to learn about and appreciate the eclectic cultural blend
on campus.
Rhythm Nations is a celebration
of the many different cultures represented by more than 300
students from more than 70 countries, who see Smith as their
home away from home.
Student performers don traditional
clothing from their homelands and share their favorite cultural
pieces in celebration of the rich ethnic backgrounds and
histories at Smith. The theme for this year’s event is aptly named: “The
world is celebrating, won’t you join in?”
“The first year I attended Rhythm Nations, I was awed by the beauty in other
peoples’ cultures,” comments Rumbidzai Vushe ’14. “I came out of it with a very
different cultural understanding!”
Raise your cultural awareness
and enjoy performances from India, China, Japan, Nepal, Korea,
Tunisia, Paraguay and many other countries, as well as from
several regions of Africa.
Rhythm Nations is about more
than music, dance or cultural entertainment from disparate
corners of the globe. It’s about coming together
and appreciating different cultures, breaking down cultural stereotypes and appreciating
the beauty of living in this multicultural society that is Smith. |
