By Alicia Ramirez
Staff Writer
“From BACaSO With Love” read the title of the show and closing of a letter written by its members to the excited audience at Saturday’s BACaSO culture show in Thomas Great Hall. The letter was about the celebration of heritage and those words came to life through song, dance, poetry, fashion and delicious food.
The show opened with a warm welcome to students, faculty and staff in a variety of languages. Audience members were able appreciate the synchronicity included in each dance number, which showed how much the African and Caribbean cultures influence one another. Dance pieces inspired by singer Beyoncé Knowles and the awe she influences in dancers from Mozambique motivated students to create a number of their own. In addition, the South Asian fusion group, Mayuri, with special help from SAW president Anita Kilambi (BMC ’13) wowed the crowd with their poised and graceful moves.
Songstress Cecily Bumbray (Swarthmore College ‘12) delighted the audience with her tremendous vocal abilities showcased in her singles “Like Crazy” and “Crazy for You.” Cecily is set to pursue her career as a solo artist after graduating college but in the meantime, her song “Like Crazy” will be available to download on Valentine’s Day.
In between acts, video segments showed the BACaSO women answering several questions such as, “Give a reason to visit an exotic island,” “What do you love about your country?” and “What would you change from your country?” This set of questions allowed the audience to catch a glimpse of the culture that serves as a common bond between this special group of women. Some students mentioned they would visit pristine beaches and enjoy local delicacies while others discussed promoting peace in Nigeria and diminishing the gap between the rich and the poor.
This culture show could not be complete without some poetry, a highly anticipated fashion show, and a cause to support. The poems read of the importance of preserving one’s culture and the fashion show stressed the importance of embracing one’s it. The fashion show consisted of two collections: one featuring traditional Nigerian headscarves and another one titled “Daytime Chic” which included brightly colored dresses, skirts and tops with bold prints. BACaSO provided its unconditional support to the Centre de Protection des Enfants, an elementary school in Djbouti. All of the proceeds from the jewelry sold at the show benefited the education of these children.
The women of BACaSO celebrated showcased an eagerness, pride and power to preserve the ties that bind their cultures with the support of audience members.
