University of Michigan students and community members filled the Michigan Theater Friday evening for the Caribbean Student Association’s inaugural culture showcase. “Echoes of the Islands: A Caribbean Culture Showcase” featured dancing, spoken-word performance, music and fashion to showcase the diversity of nations across the Caribbean.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, LSA senior Malawi Springer, CSA member and culture show coordinator, said CSA wanted to plan an event to share their culture with family and friends.
“We wanted to give people who are a little bit familiar with the Caribbean an opportunity to see … their own countries on stage,” Springer said. “And then also give (attendees) the chance to experience other countries in the Caribbean.”
The CSA showcase aimed to attract a diverse audience and provide an outlet for self expression. Through the lens of a grandmother telling a story to her grandchild, CSA transitioned between various art forms, each emphasizing a different country and its respective traditions.
The mangulina, one of the dances performed by a select group of CSA members, is a traditional folk dance originating from the southern region of the Dominican Republic often performed in trios. The dance combined quick foot tapping with elegant dress movements, creating energetic and rhythmic movements.
In an interview with The Daily, Business sophomore Kira Midy, CSA member, said she hopes the performances inspire others to be a part of and witness her culture.
“We have so many different types of performances we were able to put on tonight,” Midy said. “I think we just wanted to give people that environment to have fun and find their community and learn about a background that they are interested in.”
The showcase also featured spoken word performances, songs and a Carnival fashion show of traditional patterned Caribbean clothing. In an interview with The Daily, Business sophomore Maya Donnelly said she enjoyed the opportunity to represent her St. Lucian culture through a jeweled costume adorned with colorful feathered wings.
“Carnival is just meant to be fun,” Donnelly said. “It’s meant to be crazy and exciting, you’re supposed to feel super good about yourself and at the same time not care what other people think.”
Springer said she joined CSA as a freshman because she wanted an outlet to express her culture and find community.
“I’ve always been super drawn to the culture and having this organization on campus to give me the opportunity to be in that space and experience that, especially with other Caribbean students, is something I absolutely love,” Springer said.
In an interview with the Daily, LSA sophomore Cloe Barrau, an event attendee and CSA member, said she felt the organization created an important space on campus for Caribbean students.
“It’s really nice to have a space on campus, especially in Michigan, considering we are so far from the Caribbean,” Barrau said. “It’s really nice to meet other Caribbean people, because, as much similarity there is among the Black diaspora, there’s also a lot of really distinct cultural differences. So it’s nice we can celebrate the countries.”
Springer said she hoped the showcase was just the beginning of a tradition of CSA Caribbean culture showcases.
“All of the performances have been having practice for months, prepping all the shows,” Springer said. “I’m really hoping that every year it gets a little bit bigger and we have a few more people in the seats.”
Daily News Contributors Olivia Aversano and Alexandra Sim can be reached at oavers@umich.eduand alexfsim@umich.edu.