Wilkinson Center to Host Asian Fest

By Abram Cordell

Asian Fest comes to the Wilkinson Student Center tonight, Jan 26, 2007, bringing with it unique colors, traditional culture and authentic flavors.

“It”s a chance for all of the Asian groups to show people from BYU, Provo and Utah about their heritage,” said Jacob Berry, a senior from Idaho Falls majoring in economics and biology, and president of BYU”s Asian American Association.

There will be a street festival in the Garden Court, along with a sampling of authentic Asian cuisine.

The street festival will include booths representing a variety of Asian countries. Each country will host a booth which will feature various traditional aspects unique to the country.

Following the street festival, there will be performances in the WSC Ballroom depicting the cultures of Asia. Performances will include Samunori, a form of traditional drumming native to Korea, as well as traditional Mongolian and Vietnamese dancing and a performance of a traditional Chinese song and Dragon dance. The evening will conclude with a top 40 dance.

The Asian Festival has been held for several years and draws a large non-student crowd, with faculty and members of the community coming to take in the Asian culture.

Erin Simkins, who is helping organize the event, said she enjoys how the festival gives students a global perspective.

“I think it”s more important for students to get a more worldwide view,” said Simkins, a recreational management major a senior Marysville, Wash. “Especially since there are more members of the church outside of the country than there are in it.”

In addition to the educational nature of the evening it is also an entertaining experience.

“It”s a lot of fun and it”s a good date night,” Simkins said.