The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Jeff Wick The Beziuu Eastwood Dance Coalition performed at Taiwanese Night in the Memorial Union Ballroom. last Saturday [Click to enlarge]

ISOSU held its Taiwanese night this past Saturday in the MU Ballroom.

In continuation of a series of cultural events, ISOSU presented various performances, shows and activities that not only related to Taiwanese culture, but also a bit of Chinese culture.

Filled to capacity, the night began with some videos about Taiwan, traditional dances and acrobatics.

While they sat at their tables, attendees were served a three-course meal consisting of pineapple shrimp, zhui chicken, cabbage, Chinese kale and bubble tea.

"I liked trying all of the different food," said Jennifer Dumas, a sophomore in economics who didn't necessarily like all of the food, but enjoyed trying it.

During the meal everyone was given a bingo card with Taiwanese characters to play for prizes. When a symbol was drawn it was shown on a projector to explain what the character meant.

"Music is a very important part of our culture," said Ingrid Chuang, a senior in music and the main director of the Taiwanese night. Chuang is from Taiwan and came to the United States to go to school at OSU.

There are many places to do karaoke in Taiwan because of the country's passion for music.

The event included a few karaoke skits to demonstrate this, and the performers sang a combination of Taiwanese, Chinese and American songs.

In Taiwan, the main languages spoken are Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese.

Not everyone understood the songs or the language, but the goal of the atmosphere was to provide a place to learn about new cultures.

"You can get to meet many different people from many different countries," said Divya Kesharwani, a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer science from India.

Kesharwani has been at OSU for six months and has made friends with many Chinese and Taiwanese people. He encourages them to also attend Indian night on April 4 to understand more about his culture.

Many in attendance were more familiar with Eastern culture. Jennifer Nguyen, a sophomore in general science, and Minh-Chau Nguyen, a freshman in general science, are both originally from Vietnam.

"We wanted to see what this would be like," Jennifer Nguyen said. Both attended the Vietnamese night and wanted to see the differences between the two cultures.

To top off the evening, there was a fashion show displaying many varieties of the traditional Taiwanese outfits with fancy hats and long dresses.

"It was cool to see their different kinds of fashions, and how the bride wore red instead of white," Dumas said.

The night was full of many different aspects of the Taiwanese culture that not only educated the audience, but provided some in attendance with cultural events that they could relate to from their home country.

"We'd like to show our culture," Chuang said.



Shanna Woodruff, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231

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