Sixth Annual Culture Shock April 9 at SMSU

Published Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Marshall, Minn. — The sixth annual Culture Shock will be held from 1-8:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 in the Student Center upper level at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Cultural performances will occur during the day. Five acts will highlight the various performances, including:

In New Company (INC), a six-person hip-hop dance group with a unique perspective for interpretations of dance. The performers will be on stage twice, at 1:30 and 5 p.m.
Shaolin Jazz, a one-man show that provides a stylistic connection between both Jazz and Hip-Hop. He performs at 2 p.m.
Victoria Welch, a henna body art specialist. She will be available from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. to create free and unique henna body art.
Traditional Irish Music by Nathan Gourley and Brian Miller. Boston-based fiddler Nathan Gourley and St. Paul guitarist/singer Brian Miller are two of the most highly regarded American players of traditional Irish music of their generation. They will be performing at 3 p.m.
Tall Paul Ojibwe, a young hip-hop artist from Minneapolis who calls himself “A no good good guy.” Audiences can expect to hear conscious, honest lyricism about subjects many shy away from. He performs at 7 p.m.

Dance performances by international students from the Hmong Student Organization will take place at 4:15 p.m., followed by the African Student Organization at 4:25 p.m. In addition, there will be a student fashion show highlighting native dress of international students at SMSU starting at 4:30 p.m.

Spoken poetry by Fong Vang will be at 4 p.m. Students August Hiivala and Nick Tran, “The Human Beat Box,” will be featured during dinner at 5:30 p.m.

Shaolin Jazz After-Party Dance will also be taking place in the lower level Conference Center from 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

All performances and food are free and open to the public. School supply donations for area schools will be accepted at the door.

“The purpose of Culture Shock is to give the SMSU and greater Marshall communities the opportunity to be exposed to the many cultures represented on campus,” said Jefferson Lee, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The event is hosted by the United Global Leaders Yearning for Success (UGLYS), and sponsored by the Hmong Student Organization, Black Student Union, African Student Association, Club Latino, Oyate Club, Cultures United, Marshall High School Organization, Access Opportunity Success, Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the UGLYS.

The schedule of events include:

1:00 p.m. Opening Emcee Brian Miller

1:30 p.m.: In New Company (INC) Dance Group with mock B-boying competition

2:00 p.m.: Shaolin Jazz presents

2:00-7:00 p.m.: Free Henna body art by Victoria Welch

3:00 p.m.: Traditional Irish Music by Nathan Gourley and Brian Miller

4:00 p.m.: Spoken Poetry by Fong Vang

4:15 p.m.: Hmong Student Organization Dance

4:25 p.m.: African Student Association Dance

4:30 p.m.: Fashion Show

5:00 p.m.: In New Company (INC) Dance Group with mock B-boying competition

5:30 p.m.: Dinner and Entertainment featuring music by SMSU’s August Hiivala and
Nick Tran, Human Beat Box

6:30 p.m.: Tracy Hmong Dance Group

7:00 p.m.: Tall Paul Ojibwe Hip Hop Artist

8:15 p.m.: Wrap Up

9:00 p.m.- 1:00 a.m.: Shaolin Jazz After-Party Dance (lower Conference Center)

For more information contact 507-537-6169, AOS office, Michele Knife Sterner, michele.sterner@SMSU.edu, or UGLYs president, Nancy Yang, nancy.yang@SMSU.edu.