Community packs in for first Asian Multicultural Night

Last weekend, the Asian Interracial Student Association (A.S.I.A) hosted its first-ever Asian Multicultural Night. The event represented 12 Asian countries through A.S.I.A's partnerships with other student associations and even larger non-profits representing Asian Americans.

Doors for the event opened at 4 p.m., guests slowly trickled in, plated up some traditional foods, and gathered around round tables near the back of the Strand Union Building (SUB) ballrooms. 

Many different dishes were served at the event, including chicken kabsa, a Middle Eastern cuisine and a Korean meal called japchae. There was also sel roti, a Nepali dish and a Filipino dessert called turon. Among these were a few other types of food that represented Indian, Nepali and Chinese cultures. 

Attendees then had time to socialize, sample food and circulate to see a few booths which displayed symbolic plants and customary toys and games. Notably, A.S.I.A partnered with a group called the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of Seattle (TECO-Seattle), which brought traditional Taiwanese toys to share with the younger members of our community.

Unfortunately, they ran out of food very quickly at the event, and the group noted that ordering more food for future events was a high priority. 

“I could just hear my grandma, my Lola, in the back of my head being like, ‘I can't believe you ran out of food.’ That’s a big no-no, especially when a lot of our events and cultures are centered around food. So, next year, twice as much,” said President of A.S.I.A., Olivia Gervacio Jakabosky. 

About half an hour after I arrived, Siddat Nesar, one of the emcees, hopped on stage and announced that the event was about to begin and to take a seat. Seconds later, a Bollywood song played over the speakers, and Nesar declared that he was still waiting for his partner, Gloria Baldevia. Simultaneously, the people sitting in the first few rows on either side of the stage rushed up to join Neasar on stage.

The song started slowly, and the people on stage looked slightly confused as they gradually organized themselves into a line. However, as the tempo picked up, it became clear to the audience and myself that the people who mysteriously stormed the stage had meticulously practiced the choreography routine they were performing.

After the Bollywood dance, the president and vice president of A.S.I.A hopped on stage to thank their sponsors for the event, which included a special message from Senator Jon Tester.

A.S.I.A then presented a fashion show which included a catwalk addition to the stage that allowed the models to show off their best vogue, smize and spin, up close and personal with the audience. Over 25 students represented eight counties as they strutted down the runway to showcase traditional attire. 

The rest of the night presented more traditional dances and music performances from various countries in Asia. The night concluded with a final dance, which included all the A.S.I.A. officers. Overall, it was a lively night full of celebration and energy in the SUB ballrooms and a very successful event for the team of over eight people who helped plan the event. 

“After putting in a lot of effort over the past few months, it feels very fulfilling to have someone come up to you and say that we really enjoyed the event,” said A.S.I.A Vice President Aishik Biswas.

If you want to get involved with A.S.I.A, you can find them at Catapalooza in the fall. But if that’s too long of a wait, you can contact them via Instagram @asia_montanastate or email them at asia.montanastate@gmail.com.