International Festival returns to UIS

By Laura Camper - General Assignment Reporter

At 3:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon, a line of people waited patiently in the Sangamon Auditorium lobby for their International Festival tickets, while those who picked up their tickets ahead of time filed into the main floor of the Auditorium filling up the seats. The audience was dotted with Indian students in traditional Indian clothing, colorful saris on the women and the long tunics and pants on the men.

Students, families, teachers and residents from the Springfield area attend for a variety of reasons. Some come for the entertainment, some for the food, some for the experience. Vaishnavi Chintalpuri, dressed in a yellow and orange sari, said she helped with the music and knows some of the people performing. She likes the show because it “feels a little closer to home.”

Frances Edwards-Mendez and her husband Ryan Edwards, visitors to Springfield , have attended the festival with their daughters for three years. “I'm bicultural,” she says, explaining that she is the first generation to be born here in the United States . Her family emigrated from Cuba . “This is one place that the kids can experience the different cultures found in the area.”

The show is meant to educate the audience about the diverse cultures represented at UIS, as well as to entertain and this year's show did not disappoint.

Student Jeave Reserva, a pianist, opened the show with three beautiful classical Filipino piano pieces.

Organization of Latin American Students members performed six dances from Cuba , Dominican Republic , Puerto Rico , Mexico and Columbia .

Japanese students were represented by children from the Montessori School House in Springfield . The kids told the audience that not only the people but the animals from different countries spoke their own language. They illustrated by telling how dogs, frogs and roosters spoke in Spanish, Japanese and English.

The UIS Drum Circle members performed three songs on djembe, drums from West Africa ; a cowbell and a shakere, an instrument similar to maracas. The youngest member, Lorenzo Herring, is the son of Jennifer Herring, assistant professor of teacher education.

Filipino students danced the Pandanggo sa Ilaw. Student Nicole Cudiamat taught the other students the traditional Filipino folk dance, which involved balancing a candle on their heads and gracefully swinging candles in each hand.

Members of the Indian Student Association performed four dance numbers, three classical and one to a medley of music from Indian cinema. They closed the show with a fashion show of traditional Indian clothing reflecting some 30 distinct languages and cultures found throughout India .

UIS community celebrates Halloween

Patrick Redwood shows off his light saber and Jedi costume to friends at the Monster Bash Saturday night.

Resident Assistant Chris Wyant dresses up as a kissing booth during the Monster Bash in Lincoln Residence Hall on Saturday.

International Festival returns to UIS

UIS student teaches in Jamaica