Members of Binghamton University’s African Student Organization will be holding their first annual Culture Shock, a multicultural talent show that will allow student groups to promote their organizations this Friday in the Old Union Hall in the Old University Union.
Eunice Ochuonyo, president of ASO and a senior majoring in nursing, said Culture Shock is an event that will ‘unite [everyone] through talent.’
Organizations such as Black Dance Repertoire, Masti, Explorchestra, Binghamtonics, BU Gospel Choir, Bhangra and the Binghamton Crosbys are set to perform Friday. Soundhouse, who opened for the Lupe Fiasco concert at BU in 2008, will also be opening and closing the event.
Mildred Ngminebayihi, a member of the ASO executive board and a sophomore double-majoring in political science and French, said the event has a deeper meaning than a typical showcase of talent.
‘Culture Shock is not only about embracing the diversity of groups we have on campus, but it is also exposing everyone to the different cultures they represent,’ Ngminebayihi said. ‘There are more organizations here than we know. Culture Shock is a way for organizations to promote themselves and get their names out there.’
Apart from being an event that celebrates embracing the diversity of our campus, Culture Shock is also meant to address a common misconception that ASO, its members and its events are limited to students of a specific ethnic background.
‘[ASO] is not just for Africans ‘ it’s for everyone,’ said Mamadou Sanogo, a member of the executive board of ASO and a senior double-majoring in political science and Africana studies.
Francine Ndjatou, president of Black Dance Repertoire and a junior majoring in accounting, agreed, stating that she hopes her group’s performance in Culture Shock not only entertains audiences but also shows the diversity of people within the group.
Through its effort to unify different organizations on campus and expose students to the diversity found in them, Culture Shock offers the opportunity for its participants to alleviate the strain on their budgets. Groups will be dancing, singing and strumming in hopes of taking home the grand prize of $250. First and second runners-up will also receive prizes of $100 and $50, respectively.
‘I admire [the ASO] for having such a great event that reaches out to all the students on campus,’ Ndjatou said. ‘We are really excited to contribute to this show and look forward to competing with other groups.’
Since first preparing for this event in early July with diligent fundraising, contacting groups and judges and self-promotions, the ASO is ready for Culture Shock to take off.
‘Since this is our first Culture Shock, we are starting off small,’ Ochuonyo said. ‘Eventually, we would like the event to grow bigger and establish itself as Multicultural Day on campus.’
With an expected audience of 100 people, the doors of the Old Union Hall will open at 8 p.m. for the show. Tickets are currently being sold outside the Food Court in the New University Union for $6. Tickets will also be sold at the door for $8.