Black Student Union hosts 7th annual Cultural Explosion

November 10, 2009

Once a year students from different backgrounds come together during one event to showcase their talents and give audiences a peek at their unique cultural traditions.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Black Student Union (BSU) hosts the 7th annual Cultural Explosion at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Hamilton Center of the James R. Connor University Center.

A night of singing, dancing and poetry are sure to enlighten and entertain audiences. Performances are by the UW-Whitewater Gospel Choir, TIFU Cultural Ensemble, Traditional African Dance, the Southeast Asian Dancers, the ALMA dancers, poets and many others.

"Though BSU hosts the event, it's a collaboration of many organization," said junior Anton Johnson, chair of Cultural Explosion. "The event builds bridges between many organization and the people in them."

"It's an opportunity for students to be exposed to more diversity, share talents, and heritages," said Johnson.

Andre Douglas, current coordinator for Academic Support Services, started the event in 2003 to bring multicultural groups together and promote cultural awareness. "I wanted to create an event to show the campus that there is unity among multicultural students," said Douglas.

"The event is different every year because it gets better every year," said Brandon Hadnot, president of BSU. "You leave more energized than you came."

Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are all invited. Chartwells will provide refreshments. There is a suggested $2 donation at the door. All proceeds will benefit the BSU scholarship fund.

For more information, contact Douglas at 262-472-1129 or douglasa@uww.edu.