Chantilly — Featuring a variety of performers representing countries throughout the globe, Westfield High will hold its annual, International Night program this Friday, April 5, at 7 p.m., in the school theater.
Sharing their culture and heritage, students will wear ethnic costumes and perform songs and dances. Westfield ESOL teacher and International Club sponsor Carmen Danies says this lively and colorful event helps the school highlight and embrace its diversity.
“Given our climate in diversity and world news not always being positive, International Night offers respite from critical remarks, anger and economic despair,” she said. “Students highlight and return to the beauty they know different cultures offer. They are infused with pride, excitement and cheer creating an atmosphere that quickly spreads throughout the audience and school.”
In fact, April 1-5 has been named International Week at Westfield because the International Club members believed one night wasn’t enough to capture the spirit they want sustained. So each day this week, students have been wearing typical clothing reflecting many different countries. Tuesday was Central and South America; Wednesday, Asia; Thursday, Africa/Europe; and Friday, the world.
The students are also excited about their upcoming International Night. The show will run until 9 p.m. and, during intermission, attendees will be able to taste the cuisine of several, different countries. Entertainers include the following:
Representing Northern India, senior Ambica Kalburgi will do a Kathak dance, and the Latino Dance Club will demonstrate a combination of Caribbean merengue, salsa and modern fusion.
Westfield’s Step Team will feature African percussive-dance formations, using hand-clapping for complex rhythms and motions. And International Club President Hari Kappiyoor, a senior, will sing a Northern Indian song describing love as a triumph.
Representing Columbia, Carolina Sosa will perform a Cumbia dance featuring the classical, “Pollera Colorad.” In addition, twin sisters Anupa and Anjana Sharma will perform a narrative dance depicting Nepal’s geographical beauty.
Billing themselves as Desi Girlz, students Simren Dhaliwal and P.J. Chaggar will perform a Bhangra dance. And in the “Bollywood Revolution” number, seven dancers will do a classical, Indian dance blended with popular Bollywood rhythms.
A Hawaiian hula dance will be performed by freshman Tremaine Nakirigya. There’ll also be a Ugandan drum and traditional song, plus two musical numbers from Brazil.