By Pen Fang
March 29th marks the date of Unity in Diversity’s school assembly. The club’s goal is to celebrate the diversity that comprises East and to allow club members (anyone who wished to join) to partake in different art forms from different cultures. While Unity has been traditionally dance-focused, other art forms are also featured, such as music and poetry.
Unity has been preparing since the very first meeting in October. This year, the show will feature performances from thirteen different countries. Let’s take a look at some of the groups.
India alone has a breadth of acts, ranging from group dances to vocal performances to instrumental solos. Unity brings Bollywood to the stage, per usual, with a whirlwind of dances capturing the music of Indian cinema. This year, Garba, Maharashtra, and Semi-Classical dances also make an appearance. India also features two musical acts this year, with a vocal and instrumental solo, but let’s save some of the finer details for the show, shall we? Some song teasers for those who are so inclined: Nagada Sang Dhol, Balam Pichkari, Apsara Aali.
Korea is split into two acts once again, with Tae Kwon Do leading and K-Pop following. The artists that make an appearance in this year’s K-Pop lineup are as follows: TWICE, EXO, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Red Velvet, ATEEZ, and SEVENTEEN.
The Japanese Isshinryu Karate act is back; this year, one solo performance of an open hand kata followed by a duo performance of a bo and sai kumite kata will be featured. China will perform a fan dance with ribbons to the song “Upwards to the Moon.” Mexico returns with the fan-favorite dresses and stunning traditional choreography to match.
The Philippines is represented this year with the Tinikling Folk Dance, in which the dancers perform with people sliding and tapping bamboo poles on the ground. Palestine features the Dabke, a folk dance combining circle and line dancing.
This year also features many musical performances, ranging from the Nigerian drum circle to the instrumental and vocal performances of India, Denmark, Spain, and Argentina. Klezmer, traditional music of the Ashkenazi Jewish people of Central Europe, will also make an appearance. American jazz also returns.
Each act is a window into the unique diversity of the school and celebrates the different cultures of East. Please look forward to the show! We will work hard to put on an amazing performance. Keep your eyes and ears open for fundraisers and other ways to support Unity.
