On April 20, the Asian Cultural Alliance (ACA) capped off its year of cultural events with the long-anticipated AsiaFest. Students got together in McGuire Hall to enjoy food and performances that spotlighted staples in a variety of Asian cultures.
Last year’s theme, Alpha Awards, was a celebration of Asian representation in recent award-winning films. After this theme received wide praise from the attendees, Co-Presidents Vera Pavlovich ‘24 and Marlo Lacson ‘24 searched for a worthy successor for this year’s AsiaFest.
Pavlovich said, “We were trying to think outside the box and something Marlo and I really wanted to do was to make it more interactive, instead of people sitting down watching performances.”
The board then decided on Streets of Asia, opposing Western media’s stereotypical depictions of Asian culture in favor of an authentic portrayal of nightlife in Asia. Performances included student a cappella groups, and the annual lion dance performance.
As for the interactive aspect, booths were scattered around McGuire, representing the countries Japan, Korea, China, India, Thailand, and the Philippines. Attendees were given passports with the national flags printed on them. The first three people to visit each stand received a Chinese LEGO set, a Dragon Ball desk lamp, and a $25 Snow Cloud boba gift card. Food was provided by local restaurants Namaste, Chao Mein Charlie, and Sakura Café.
Pavlovich said, “We tend to order food from the same places each year to support local businesses. All except Ace Sushi were off campus and that’s important to us.”
The executive board members lined the stage near the end of the festivities to send off their seniors with gifts. The co-presidents received a signed picture frame containing a photo from the ALANA block party, the first event of the year where the 2024-2025 executive board bonded.
Pavlovich said, “They all wrote little notes on the picture frame, and two of them were abroad and I guess they must have done that before they left last fall. It was so sweet that they were thinking that far ahead, so I know the club is in good hands.”
Those two abroad members are Kasey Cho and Emma Sabino of the Class of 2025, who will serve as ACA President and Vice President next year. Pavlovich voiced her excitement for the next year of ACA events.
Pavlovich said, “They’re already talking about outreach with students and more local businesses in Baltimore. They are really excited to collaborate next semester and they’ll just devote so much time to ACA it will be amazing.”
