The annual Multicultural Show was held on Nov. 21, welcoming people of all ages from the community. Hosted by BG’s Multicultural Club, students were able to perform songs or dances that are specific to each member’s culture. In addition to student performers, the show hosted special guests, including a Polish dance crew called “The Whispers.” From traditional Hawaiian songs on the ukulele to Greek line dances, the Multicultural Show combined a multitude of different cultures all on one stage.

“As a member of Multicultural Club, I think it’s important to be proud of who you are and where you came from,” junior Agnes Bahushevich said. “The Multicultural Show is a great way to show other people where your roots are from.”

Bahushevich performed a traditional Gypsy dance, “Ciganochka,” complete with a colorful flowy dress and upbeat music from Belarus.
According to club sponsor Elizabeth Pilarski, the Multicultural Show is a very important aspect to students who are not very involved in school activities.

“A lot of the students who participate in the Multicultural Show were born or lived in another country,” Pilarski said. “Some students who are involved are ELL students and they are very shy. The Multicultural Show is a great way for them to get involved and break out of their shell a little bit.”

Emcee and talent advisor Christian Yi was one of the 21 acts to perform in the show. Yi performed a piano piece, Nocturne Opus 15, to open up the show.

“I really hope that the audience not only learned about different cultures through dancing and music, but also saw the extraordinary talent that each performer has,” Yi said. “I also hope that the audience sees the diversity within BG and knows that not everyone is the same, each person is unique in his or her own way.”

Yi, a first-year club member enjoys the company and close relationships he forms. From his experience, the club has been very accepting and welcoming to all.

“After the show, the parents come up to me and tell me how grateful they are and I think to myself, ‘[all the time and work] is worth it.'” Pilarski said. “I want the audience to see that these students who speak different languags and come from different countries are also talented, and that, yes, they are part of the American culture, but they are also preserving their identity.”