The Asian American Ambassadors hosted their third annual Asian American Cultural Heritage Showcase featuring activities and performances inspired by different Asian cultures Friday night in the International Cultural Center.
The Showcase included performances ranging from fan dances to martial arts demonstrations to a multi-language cover of the song “Let It Go” from the “Frozen” soundtrack. For the first time, free henna body painting was offered to attendees.
Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino and Indian cultures were among those promoted with performances at the Showcase.
Psychology senior and Asian American Ambassadors President Isabelle Vea said the organization was started with the goal of being a voice for Asian Americans and promoting Asian cultures.
“Our whole point is to create a community for people to be comfortable with speaking out about their experiences [with] being Asian,” Vea said.
The cultural elements students may be most familiar with – things like paper lanterns and sushi – are a small and diluted part of the story, Vea said. The annual Asian American Cultural Heritage Showcase aims to broaden perceptions of what these cultures encompass by showing different aspects, as well as giving LSU students a chance to display their talents.
In addition to traditional practices such as the martial art of Kung Fu, modern Asian dances and songs were performed.
One of the performers, kinesiology senior Jennifer Kim, sang a Korean-language song entitled “Bad Guy” about a jilted lover.
Kim, performing for the third Showcase in a row, said she appreciated the opportunities for personal involvement and social connections Asian American Ambassadors events like the Showcase offer.
“Asian Americans … are very underrepresented on LSU’s campus,” said Rachel Flemming, an accounting junior and secretary and graphic designer for AAA who gave four different performances in the Showcase. “It’s a really good way to teach others what you’re passionate about.”
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The event was decorated in traditional Asian cultural items such as this fan at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU Asian American Ambassadors branding officer Yuki Sui helps set up the event at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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A henna tattoo booth set up at the entrance of the center for family and students to get traditional henna tattoos at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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A henna tattoo booth set up at the entrance of the center for family and students to get traditional henna tattoos at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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An authentic Tibetan drum was used to help decorate the event at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU Asian American Ambassador president Isabelle Vea at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU Asain American Ambassador secretary/graphic designer Rachel Flemming performs at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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Family, friends, and students were welcome to the event to watch the event displaying tradional Asian culture at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU student Leon Xu demonstrates Kung Fu, a traditional martial art, at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU student Leon Xu demonstrates Kung Fu, a traditional martial art, at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU student Leon Xu demonstrates Kung Fu, a traditional martial art, at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU student Tim O’Young demonstrates the art of Kung Fu for the audience at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU Asain American Ambassador secretary/graphic designer Rachel Flemming performs a modern Japanese dance “Scissorhands” at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU Asian American Ambassador president Isabelle Vea recites “Bayan Ko”, a poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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Family, friends, and students were welcome to the event to watch the event displaying tradional Asian culture at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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LSU student Jennifer Kim sings “Bad Guy” by Joo at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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A traditional Japanese fan dance performed by Thomas Nguyen, Darla Nguyen, secretary/graphic designer Rachel Flemming, and external vice president Dylan Pham at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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A traditional Japanese fan dance performed by Thomas Nguyen, Darla Nguyen, secretary/graphic designer Rachel Flemming, and external vice president Dylan Pham at the Asian American Cultural Showcase, presented by the Asian American Abassadors on Friday Nov. 13, 2015, at the International Cultural Center at LSU.
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