Hawaii Tribune-Herald Island Beat Thursday, February 9, 2017 9 with ‘International Nights,’” Mellon says. “We want to instill a sense of cultural identity and pride about the different cultural groups represented at UH-Hilo and educate the campus and local community about other parts of the world that they might not know about.” Mellon adds that as much as the event is about entertainment, the show also includes an educational component. “Before each group comes to the stage we have a short slide show that introduces the culture or country that’s performing,” he says. “It gives the audience some background and historical information.” Many of the performances include song or dance, but the French a la Carte group led by Sylvie Garnero will present a skit. “It’s titled ‘Vive la Ressemblance!’ and it’s a spoof where we use a lot of French words that you hear used in English a lot,” Garnero explains. “The year before we did ‘Vive la difference!’ which was about what’s different about the French people. It’s good to be different, but we are all human people and we are experiencing the same life.” She says they wanted to focus on what people have in common this year. “Last year, the public was wonderful,” Garnero recalls. “I hadn’t even put my foot on the stage yet and they were already laughing.” A French teacher at UH-Hilo, Garnero says she is used to putting on a show. “If you want to have the attention of the class, you have to be alive and fun,” she says. “This is the same thing. I’m going to have a large audience so I’m going to want to tell them a lot of French words!” Language, she says, is such an important part of life. “You have to get the brain going. Hundreds of students are involved with the show — onstage and behind the scenes. Photos: ROBERT DOUGLAS When you speak a different language, it can change your way of thinking. You are open to all kinds of things.” Each year, Mellon says they look for a variety of diverse performances to make the event spectacular. This year, there will be a Chinese martial arts demonstration, a hip-hop performance inspired by American pop culture and the first halau performance in years by Halau I Ka Leo Ola O Na Mamo, which will open the Friday night show. Kiko Camp says her group, Hawaii Irish Dance, will perform a traditional cèilidh number, which is done at pubs or other social gatherings. “We will be doing both hard shoe and soft shoe group numbers,” Camp says. “There are about 13 people in our group and they come from all over the island. Originally from Washington state, Camp, who is part Irish, says she has been doing this type of dance for nearly a decade. “People are familiar with ‘Riverdance’ and this is similar, but it’s more what you’d dance in an Irish pub. It’s still very high-energy and lively, but it’s not a formal number. And it’s a style that’s very approachable to all ages and abilities.” This isn’t the first time Camp has participated in “International Nights.” “What I appreciate is that it highlights the social dances and other aspects of culture from all over the world,” she says. “A lot of it is something I wasn’t familiar with before, and it’s great exposure for the amazing mix of people that we have coming to UH-Hilo.” While the International Student Association organizes the event, there are hundreds of students involved with the show — onstage and behind the scenes. “The amount of interest and enthusiasm for the event among the students who spend a lot of time practicing and getting ready for this event is really impressive,” Mellon says. “So is the support we get from the community, which we are really grateful for.” Though the international student population is just a small percentage of the student body at UH-Hilo, Mellon says it’s a group that is appreciated. “Over the years, ‘International Nights’ has become a really important tradition,” he adds. “It seems to have been woven into the fabric of annual events on campus. I think it has been maintained this long because of the strong sense of enthusiasm the students have for sharing their cultures with the community. There is an electric high-energy level at the shows that is contagious.” More than ever, Mellon hopes “International Nights” will have a strong impact on audiences. “It’s an opportunity for people to recognize just how many people from different parts of the world contribute to strengthening our communities,” he says. “I think the national administration and certain (media outlets) have created a sense that people should be fearful and distrustful of those who come from outside the border. This event, in a small way, will hopefully help people realize just the opposite — that people who come into our communities from outside the country are actually contributing to and strengthening them.” At the very least, he says, “International Nights” is a great way to see other parts of the world that people may never get to see for themselves. INTERNATIONAL From page 7 World of entertainment What: “International Nights” When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday Where: UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center Tickets: $12 for general admission and $5 for students, children and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased with cash or checks in person at the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center Box Office from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, or at the door if tickets are still available the night of the shows. Advance ticket purchase is recommended as tickets typically sell out prior to the shows.
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