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Every year, a fiery, upbeat performance full of color and character takes over Mandel Hall. That performance is the brainchild of South Asian Students Association (SASA), which returns tomorrow night with “The All-Nighter.”
“SASA celebrates major South Asian holidays and festivals throughout the year. We not only strive to educate students about South Asian culture, but also serve as a home of sorts for South Asian students and SASA enthusiasts,” said Ayushi Shrivastava, the Show Coordinator of the SASA Board. “Our annual cultural show is our biggest event of the year; we usually have around 150 participants dancing, singing, and acting in our production.”
Indeed, SASA collaborates with a number of performance groups, including UChicago Bhangra, Chicago Raas, UChicago Maya, and the South Asian Vocal Ensemble. Yet as extensive as it is, it remains a tightknit group.
“My absolute favorite part is, as cheesy as it sounds, the friendships we form,” says Shrivastava. “When you spend countless hours perfecting 30 seconds of choreography, you have no choice but to make friends with your fellow dancers. The SASA show is responsible for 60% of the friendships I’ve made, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
It is not just performing that brings students together, however; watching the show can be just as immersive. Sherry Wu, a dancer in this year’s show, joined after watching last year’s performance. “I absolutely loved watching the show, and it seemed like a great community of people,” she said. “I joined [with] many people in my house (Alper)…as well as my entire Max suite. This just seemed like a different, fun, RSO for me to get involved in.”
Ultimately, SASA’s annual culture show brings together people from all backgrounds and cultures. Dancers do not need prior training—just unbounded energy and enthusiasm. “A lot of participants are not experienced performers, and yet some how the finished product is really polished,” Trisha Macrae, Co-Coordinator with Shrivastava, said. “I love seeing the show progress from its early, halting practices to the point where everyone is confident on stage.”
The show begins at 7:30PM tonight at Mandel Hall.