Spring Break
Asha for Education gets cultural groups together for talent showcase
Parini Shah
Issue date: 3/23/09 Section: Focus
Asha for Education's UConn chapter held its first event, a talent showcase at the Student Union Friday. The show exhibited the talents of the Celtic American Dance Team, senior musicians Regina Garzino and Billy J, the UConn Tap, Ballroom and Hip Hop teams, Sam Hasan, The Chordials, Shir Modulation, Surya and Pivotal Motion.
The talent showcase helped raise money for the D.F. Blind School in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
"Each Asha chapter has a project that they are responsible for. Ours is the school," said committee member Ram Odedra, a 6th semester Finance major.
The event raised about $900, which will be sent to the school. The money will be used to help build new dorms that will allow up to twice as many children to attend, as well as a new playground. Many of the performers urged the audience to donate. Regina Garzino said it was an honor to be asked to play tonight.
"It's a great cause," said Garzino.
Many of the students who came to watch the show were unfamiliar with Asha for Education. Kimone Smith and Estherline Toby, both 8th semester biological sciences majors, donated money. They came because they were interested in seeing everyone perform and learning more about the cause.
The sentiment was echoed by Ben Miller, a 6th semester English and psychology double major. Miller came because he found it on the events calendar and did not know much about it, so he decided to check it out.
The night opened up as the Celtic American Dance Team danced, tapped and sang a traditional Celtic song. The night closed with some serious dance moves and attitude courtesy of Pivotal Motion. UConn's youngest and oldest a cappella groups, Shir Modulation and The Chordials sang.
Solo artist Billy J. took full use of the stage and theater during his exuberant performance, and dedicated one of his songs to the Chordials, while Regina Garzino and Sam Hasan, who will be featured soon on iTunes, kept it mellow.
UConn Surya brought some Indian culture to the show with their medley routine complete with props and traditional costumes.
The UConn Tap team performed a mafia themed routine, while UConn Hip Hop got their krump on. UConn Ballroom spun, shook and dipped their way to the night's favorite.
The talent showcase helped raise money for the D.F. Blind School in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
"Each Asha chapter has a project that they are responsible for. Ours is the school," said committee member Ram Odedra, a 6th semester Finance major.
The event raised about $900, which will be sent to the school. The money will be used to help build new dorms that will allow up to twice as many children to attend, as well as a new playground. Many of the performers urged the audience to donate. Regina Garzino said it was an honor to be asked to play tonight.
"It's a great cause," said Garzino.
Many of the students who came to watch the show were unfamiliar with Asha for Education. Kimone Smith and Estherline Toby, both 8th semester biological sciences majors, donated money. They came because they were interested in seeing everyone perform and learning more about the cause.
The sentiment was echoed by Ben Miller, a 6th semester English and psychology double major. Miller came because he found it on the events calendar and did not know much about it, so he decided to check it out.
The night opened up as the Celtic American Dance Team danced, tapped and sang a traditional Celtic song. The night closed with some serious dance moves and attitude courtesy of Pivotal Motion. UConn's youngest and oldest a cappella groups, Shir Modulation and The Chordials sang.
Solo artist Billy J. took full use of the stage and theater during his exuberant performance, and dedicated one of his songs to the Chordials, while Regina Garzino and Sam Hasan, who will be featured soon on iTunes, kept it mellow.
UConn Surya brought some Indian culture to the show with their medley routine complete with props and traditional costumes.
The UConn Tap team performed a mafia themed routine, while UConn Hip Hop got their krump on. UConn Ballroom spun, shook and dipped their way to the night's favorite.
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