URI ASA’s 32nd Annual Culture Show Brings Music, Movement, and Community to the Stage
- Dyani R.
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Written and Photo by Dyani R.
| An evening of song, dance, and cultural expression showcased the talent and unity of the University of Rhode Island’s Asian Students Association.
April 19 marked the University of Rhode Island’s 32nd Annual Culture Show, presented by the Asian Students Association (ASA). The event highlighted the talents of students, from singing and dancing to the art of Tai Chi, while celebrating culture, creativity, and community.
As the show began, the audience was entertained by Jovan, Sara, and Ace, all seniors who have participated with the ASA throughout their time at URI. Each senior took the stage to showcase their talent, earning loud applause from the audience after each performance. Before the headliners, Katherine Li and HOHYUN, the URI coed a cappella group, The Rhody Rhapsodies and student-formed band C Street performed covers of well-known songs, “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt and “Seasons” by Wave to Earth, that had the audience singing along and tapping their feet.
After a short intermission and a skit from the current members of the ASA, the show shifted into a more reflective moment. The skit highlighted the important contributions of the members who came before them, as well as those who will continue to carry on what has been built. Korean-American songwriter HOHYUN then graced the stage, urging the audience to move closer and making interactions feel more personal by lifting the barrier that usually separates fans from artists.
After performing several original songs including crowd favorites, “Those Three Words” and “FLAWED,” HOHYUN took a moment to open up about his mental health journey, encouraging the audience to ask for help when they need it and reminding them that admitting you need support does not make you weak. This raw and honest admission of his personal struggles clearly resonated with the audience, as nodding heads and applause filled the room during that moment. Before ending his set, HOHYUN signed a shirt and tossed it into the crowd, causing hands to shoot up with incredible speed in hopes of catching the signed merch. He also encouraged fans to meet him in the lobby afterward, where he would be signing more merchandise and taking photos.
While waiting for Katherine Li, the ASA announced raffle winners as well as the members who will serve on the ASA E-board for the following year. After heartfelt messages were exchanged among members, it was time for the main headliner, Katherine Li, to take the stage.
Katherine Li, a Chinese-Canadian singer-songwriter who draws from her personal experiences to write her music, performed her most recent release, “The Understudy”, for the first time during this event. The song expresses the feeling of being someone’s second choice and the realization that there is nothing that can be done to fix that dynamic.
After a few songs, Katherine invited the audience into the moment by asking if anyone would like to open up about their crushes, creating space for the crowd to share their own experiences. Similar to HOHYUN, Katherine asked the audience to move closer to the stage as she transitioned into more upbeat songs, including “Happening Again”. She ended her set by expressing how grateful she was to have been invited to perform and shared her excitement about possibly returning in the future.
The event concluded with a performance by PGA, a K-pop dance cover crew. They highlighted the seniors with their own individual stages before diving into group dances to trending songs such as “Spaghetti” by LE SSERAFIM and “GO!” by CORTIS. All in all, the event did a great job incorporating different cultures from across Asia while also showcasing up-and-coming artists. It was an honor to have the opportunity to attend this amazing event. It is promising to see events such as this taking place on college campuses, giving students the opportunity to experience different art forms and live music free of charge.
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