Parade of Nations weaves colorful tapestry of fun

With close to seven percent of Tufts undergraduates hailing from beyond U.S. borders and nearly half coming from non-white ethnic backgrounds, the Tufts community boasts substantial diversity.

However, between classes, cliques, and tight schedules, it becomes easy for everyone to forget the rich cultures that are represented on the Hill.

Saturday's "Parade of Nations," presented in Cohen Auditorium by the International Club, served as a reminder that there is a world of difference among Jumbos. With the right music and lighting, these differences can come together to weave a vibrant tapestry as brilliant and colorful as the nations represented.

Directed by senior Gustavo Lugo and sophomore Samar Habayeb, the informal multimedia production gave each national group a chance to present a short act of their choosing.

The performances ranged from the Arab Students Association's gyrating belly dancers to a poignant slideshow of Afghanistan to a Russian spoof complete with fur hats and too much vodka.

Entering Cohen, the audience was transported into an energized atmosphere of silhouetted back lighting and understated techno beats. The auditorium encompassed an element of foreign chic reminiscent of a swank European club or boutique.

As the lights went down, the show's MCs, junior Alethea Amponsah, sophomore Angel Nieves, and senior Ligaya Tichy, were greeted by the shouts and cheers of an animated audience.

The audience's consistent energy helped to carry the lengthy two and a half hour production. This continuous chemistry, along with varied performance styles and captivating visuals, kept the audience engaged throughout the show, despite the extensive program.

The international feel was solidified as audience members were immediately thrown to the far corners of the earth with the shows opening act, "Dance of Shehrezade." Dancers adorned with colorful costumes and jangling sashes gyrated to an eclectic musical m‚lange combining the familiar sounds of Paula Abdul and Shakira with the unfamiliar beats of Hisham Abbas.

The dancers' sultry moves were set against bold backlighting, creating a striking and exotic tableau.

The following acts were a bustling combination of video, dance, and theatrical sketches.

While each individual act added a particularly unique flavor to the production as a whole, the highlight of the night was an astounding choreographed sketch by Tufts' own Tae Kwon Doe group.

The hilarious performance was complete with back flips, slow-motion, bunny slippers, an appearance by Jumbo the elephant, and flying ninjas breaking wooden blocks in mid-air.

Other highlights including a good humored skit performed by the Russian Circle. The group poked fun at their own national stereotypes with fur hats, thick accents, and lots of liquor.

In good-natured self-deprecation, an actor in the skit proclaimed, "We got really drunk on vodka, and then the police took our money!"

The response from the rest of the group was a hearty, "Welcome to Russia!"

While some groups poked fun at themselves, emphasizing the inherent silliness of stereotypes and cross-cultural rifts, others took a more somber approach to international misconceptions and their often dangerous repercussions.

"Igniting the Spark," a slideshow composed by "Tufts Why Me?", an international awareness organization, emphasized the potential impact and deception of images as it highlighted the poignant images "they don't show on television."

A picture of smiling children coupled with the phrase, "They are like us," preceded the image of two more equally adorable children visibly struck by poverty, captioned with the phrase "...they are not like us." This powerful compilation of pictures and phrases highlighted the issue of disparity of resources between cultures.

On the lighter side, the audience was treated to a vibrant, authentic fashion show featuring past and present looks from around the globe. Models representing their respective regions got a chance to strut their stuff in everything from bold African tunics to beautifully crafted geisha robes to some of today's more laid back looks (An Adidas t-shirt and relaxed-fit jeans were among some of the show's less exotic looks).

The show also featured spirited salsa dancing, a turn-table face off with some of Tufts' DJs, an awards presentation, a traditional Filipino Light dance, a final belly dance, and appearances by Spirit of Color and Tufts' own remarkably flexible break dancing group, TURBO. With powerful images, playful sketches, and dynamic performers, "Parade of Nations" went beyond statistics to showcase and cultivate Tufts' diversity.