Chantilly High is holding its annual International Night next Wednesday, March 19, in the school theater. Celebrating Chantilly’s diversity of cultures, the event includes both food and entertainment.
New this year is a “Taste of the World” dinner, from 5:30-6:45 p.m., in the cafeteria. The cuisine, (on sale from $7.50-$8.50), is being provided by Aguaymanto Peruvian Restaurant, The Similans Thai Eatery and The Village Café of Centreville.
In addition, students from the school’s Spanish Honor Society, German Club and Hispanic Heritage Club will be selling desserts from different countries while wearing traditional clothing reflecting those countries.
Then at 7 p.m., the students will perform a show featuring colorful fashions, songs and dances from a variety of countries worldwide. Tickets for the show are $5 at the door (check or cash) or via www.chantillyhsdrama.com.
“This year promises to be bigger and better than ever,” said show Director Shannon Khatcheressian. “We have really focused on bringing the evening to a whole new level of entertainment and getting more involvement from the school and the community.”
Stage Manager Chris Knarr says the international show will be fun and engaging for the entire family. “All of the performers are so talented this year and have really worked hard,” said Knarr. “I am excited for the community to come and celebrate the diversity and culture we have at the school.”
Some of the acts and performers include the following:
Nepali Dance: Representing Nepal are seniors Roshita Upadhyaya and Pratibha Pandey, juniors Sadhana Regmi and Garima Dhakal, and sophomore Sandhya Dotel. Their dance fuses both modern and classical taste. The first song is a classic, typically played at marriage ceremonies. The other two are more modern, usually done at parties or other modern ceremonies.
The Nobodies: Representing South Korea and the U.S. are senior Allyson Pak and junior Diane On. They’re dancing to “No No No” by APink, “Can’t Nobody” by 2NEI, “Radar” by Britney Spears and “Like Money” by WonderGirls.
The last song is WonderGirl’s second single in America and features American rapper, Akon. These upbeat K-pop songs are huge sensations internationally and are beginning to be the center of Korean Culture and young life.
Dance With Me: Representing India and Pakistan is senior Alesha Khan. From a Bollywood movie, the words “Aaja Nachle” translate to “dance with me.” In the song, Khan tells people to forget everyone else and just come dance with her.
Memories of My Youth: Representing France will be senior Bi Lin. This sweet and simple song expresses the joys of childhood life and innocent hearts.
All Around the World: Representing the U.S. are freshman Tora Crank and senior Nikki Sewell. Their performance is everything hip-hop, bringing back some moves from the beginning of the genre to current moves used in popular music videos and concerts. Dances such as these began in New York City’s South Bronx and Harlem.
I Want Your Love (Wo Yao Ni De Ai): Representing China is sophomore Emily Zou. She’s doing an upbeat, jazz piece from the 1950s, originally performed by Grace Chang.
Picking Song: Representing China is freshman Yi Ran Tang. This classic Chinese folk song is about a young woman picking lotuses near a river.
Angela’s Hip Hop Routine: Representing the U.S. is sophomore Angela Shakeri. Hip-hop dance emphasizes energy, creativity and fun. She’ll be dancing to the moves of three, well-known, California choreographers, “Wildabeast” Adams, Matt Steffanina and Ellen Kim.
Chantilly Bollywood Dance Team: Representing India are juniors Amy Kumar, Shay Kayamboo, Kanchan Mittal and Shradda Adhikari; sophomores Nilaani Kayamboo, Niki Vadav, Sakar Budhathoki and Anjali Chauhan; and seniors Sid Bala, Fayzan Saleem, Param Ektare, Prakhar Yadar, Shilp Ronvelwala and Sonny Eltepu.
Their newly formed dance team has collectively choreographed an upbeat dance that represents their culture and is seen in movies and at parties. The song depicts a classic love story between a boy and girl.
Twenty: Representing South Korea are seniors Hyein Lee, HyoJung Lee, Julia Park and Yurim Suh. They’ll be performing the Korean pop hit, “Missing You,” by a hugely popular girl band called 2NE1.
Got 5: Representing South Korea are sophomores Olivia Ryu, Esther Mun, Sae Mi Rood, Ye Ji Kwon and Michelle Kim. K-pop is Korean music that’s now reached a global market and features catchy melodies and fascinating dance moves.
The Jawani Dancers: Representing India are sophomores Priyanka Shah and Pallavi Swarup. They’ll perform two songs from the Bollywood hit, “Yeh Jawaani Hai.” The first song depicts leaving everything to be with the love of one’s life and loving everything about them. The second song is about the silliness and mischievousness of someone’s heart. Bringing the two together is the song “Kamli” from “Dhoom 3.”
Dynamic Love: Representing South Korea and the U.S. are seniors Jennifer Song and Paul Lee, junior Noah Lee and freshman Joel Lee. With Paul on the piano, Noah rapping and beatboxing, and Jennifer and Joel singing, Dynamic Love will perform a medley of Korean and American pop songs. They’ll tell a story illustrating the different stages of love, from sad and unrequited to powerful and endless.
