Update: UTVS covers the event. Watch news here!
Sponsored by the Malaysian Students Association (MSA), the evening was held in Atwood Ballroom, Atwood Memorial Center on a Saturday evening. According to the current MSA President, Karthiga Devi Veeramani, the MSA members and volunteers have been preparing for this event since two months ago.
"We practice every Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m., for about two months already," said Yong Heng Lee, honorary president of MSA.
The event kicked off right after the Ballroom was filled with guests. According to Joyce Wee, programmer of the night, the total ticket sales was close to 350, no including children under 12 years old who can admit for free.
To begin the night, speeches were delivered by representatives from the Students' Life and Development department, Center for International Studies, Malaysian Students Department (Chicago), and the MSA president.
The first performance presented was Dikir-barat, introduced by emcees, Anasthasya Anthony and Jun Kai Teoh, as a traditional Malay cultural dance originated from Kelantan.
MSA President Veeramani then performed a traditional Indian dance immediately after the lighting ceremony.
The joyful music moved the audience as the dessert of the night was served - Roti Kahwin (bread with butter and coconut jam).
As the guests were enjoying the Roti Kahwin, the next performance, which is "a twist from the traditional" was performed. The 7-member modern dance team took stage and heated up the entire atmosphere. The audience cheer and applause throughout the performance.
Right after that hyping show, the dinner bell was rung. It was the time the guests have been longing for, to taste the local cuisine wholly prepared by the Malaysian students.
The menu of the night includes Satay Chicken, Red Spicy Beef, Flavored Rice, and other Malaysian flavors. The featured beverage of the night was Teh Tarik.
As the guests were enjoying their delicious meals, Jason Tham and Hui Ling Lee took stage, performing a duet entitled "Melodi," composed by a Malaysian musician.
After the beautiful song was presented, the fan dance girls brought the Chinese culture back on stage.
The climax of the night was built towards the anticipated 24-season drums performance. According to the emcees, this performance is the signature performance of MSA and it is always asked to be presented during cultural nights.
The 10-minute drumming performance took the audience onto a journey of beats and rhythm.
The final performance of the night was the Fusion dance, combining all three major cultures in Malaysia.
The night ended on a high note when all the performers and volunteers went back on stage to thank the guests for their attendance.
"It is one of the best cultural nights I have ever been to," said an unnamed guests, who is a regular to St. Cloud State cultural nights.
MSA as whole believed the night was a successful event and strives to achieve better for the coming cultural night.
Reported by Jason T.
Author | My Life His Way Times
