Alyssa VanPelt-Cathcart, Staff Writer
One of many SUNY Oneonta goals is to promote diversity and experiences outside of campus. The Multicultural Variety Show demonstrates how different cultures can work together to provide both an entertaining and insightful event. Dr. Matthew Hendley, a professor within the history department at SUNY Oneonta, was the master of ceremonies for this event. He successfully introduced performers and student speakers while adding delightful commentary. The Multicultural Variety Show took place on November 19th, 2024.
The first performers were the Jinyu Dance Club from Toronto, Canada. Jinyu would do both the opening and closing performance for the Multicultural Variety Show. Jinyu is a traditional Chinese dance group that has been invited over by Dr. Ho Hon Leung, a sociology professor at SUNY Oneonta. Dr. Leung is originally from Hong Kong, China and moved to Canada to attend university where he often returns to visit as his family still lives there. Jinyu Dance Club’s dance was beautifully done. Their dresses were elegant as they danced with a backdrop of an autumn themed video.
Dr. Adam Kent, an associate professor within the Music Department at SUNY Oneonta, performed two songs on piano. According to Kent’s professor biography on the Music Department’s page, “Pianist Adam Kent has performed in recital, as soloist with orchestra, and in chamber music throughout the United States, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Latin America.” Dr. Kent played two pieces that originate from Spain. Additionally, from his biography, “In 2011, King Juan Carlos I of Spain honored the pianist by bestowing Spain’s Orden al MÃrito Civil, and the Consulate General of Spain in NY underwrote Dr. Kent’s course on the history of Spanish music at Brooklyn College.” He has a long, supportive history with the Spanish government making him an ideal candidate for the Hispanic portion of the event. Along with Dr. Kent, Beatriz de la Torre sang two songs in Spanish. Before her performance, she expressed how much music means to her and how it has allowed her to build a community at SUNY Oneonta. Torre’s vocal quality is amazing, it is so clear and warm. Her singing is elegant.
O.K. Crew, a Korean themed dance club at SUNY Oneonta performed for the event. The eboard of the O.K. Crew include Lexie Bull as their president, Tori Surls as their vice-president, Malika Wolfe as their PR coordinator, and Maddy Wick as their Treasurer. At the Multicultural Variety Show, they performed Anpanman by BTS. O.K. Crew will be performing at the TERPS show December 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2024 in Goodrich Theater.
Throughout the event, students at SUNY Oneonta would talk about their experience traveling abroad. Amanda Zuntag and Juliette Ammon went to Finland and Estonia. Nadia Anchundia, Alec Hodge, and Antonio de Luca went to Spain. Brittney Rhodes went to Guatemala. Langston Lamitie and Gabriel Mboutou went to China. Abigail Fish went to Greece and Turkey. Many of these students shared how their experiences will help them in their future careers as well as their plans to continue traveling. In the International Lounge of Hunt Union, there is a photo gallery hosting many photos from these trips. Additionally, there are essays of the students’ experiences written by the students alongside the photos.
SUNY Oneonta is in such a lovely location. Despite residing in the northern parts of New York State, the community is ready and willing to have new experiences and gain new perspectives. Hopefully the campus will continue to host events such as the Multicultural Variety Show.
Leave a Reply