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.