Fresno High has Culture to Spare
by Angel Arteaga
The Multicultural Assembly started with Steven Gonzalez, a member of the Pomo tribe, who did a land acknowledgement. This year’s production took place on December 1, 2023, in Royce Hall. There were two performances. The event was hosted by Ms. Anoush Ekparian.
The first performer was Dallas, a belly dancer from the Banat Tanjora group. Belly dancing is a Middle Eastern dance that originated in Egypt, which features movements of the hips and torso. She performed a Ghawazee Belly Dance from the Luxor region of Egypt.
The next performance was a dance by Maelle Sengdara and Aidahlyn Louangphom, which was
traditional Lao dance called Dock Jampah. It represents the beauty of the national Lao flower, which encompasses the joy and sincerity of life of the Laotian people and land.
The next group that performed was Leakage, playing an American Metal rock song. They performed the song "Them Bones" by Alice in Chains.
Up next came the group J L J! They sang the song” Asta la Muerte” by Eslabon Armado.
Then came Junior, Darrell Austin. He did a dance mashup of Ameray's songs: “All My Love” and “Angels in Tibet” to pay tribute to African American Pop Culture.
The Black Student Union's Step Crew were stepping, which is a long-held tradition in African American Greek Letter fraternities and sororities across the nation. It can be seen at college homecomings and events. Step uses the sounds of stomping and slapping their boots as a means of communication. This eventually evolved into a form of entertainment.
The next group who came to the stage were called Los Hijos de Belen. They performed a Mexican song by Los Primos del Este.
Color Guard performed during the assembly. Color Guard is typically an American sport, but just like America, it embraces many other cultural styles of dance.
The last performance was by Los Guerros de Fresno High (Folklorico) they performed a dance to the song “El Til-ingo Lingo.” The dance was from the region of Vera Cruz. Vera Cruz was an international port and was influenced by many foreign nations as they arrived and stayed in Mexico. The costumes are traditionally white lace and influenced by the Spanish celebration clothing.
