The annual Ethnos cultural show will take place on Friday and Saturday with the goal of celebrating the diverse range of cultures represented by ACU’s student body.
People attending Ethnos will see many different acts representing a wide array of cultures and countries.
The acts will be performed by groups such as the Chinese Scholar Students Association, SHADES Step Squad, Swing Cats and the Omega Dance Company
“It’s a good time to bond, because they work really hard on it,” said Adrian Patenaude, junior Ad/PR major from Thailand. “They spend a whole lot of time with each other and everybody’s interested in everybody else’s culture. We have all sorts of different cultures in each act. It’s just a huge cultural exchange and it’s really great.”
Jeremy Foo, senior Ad/PR and political science major from Malaysia and president of the International Student Association, said the tickets this year will be more expensive than in previous years due to less funding.
Tickets will be $10 at the door or $7 for single admission and $5 for group admission when purchased in advance on their website.
However, Foo said Ethnos has made efforts to balance the raised ticket prices with increased promotions for discounts.
Foo said there were two significant promotional strategies being used for Ethnos.
One promotion involves their mime show, which Foo said has become the unofficial mascot for Ethnos. A mime will be walking around campus throughout the week. If any student sees a mime they can post a picture of the mime on the ISA Facebook page, facebook.com/isaculture. The student will receive a discount and be entered for a chance to win a free ticket to Ethnos.
There will also be an Ethnos scavenger hunt. Black and white safety plugs will be hidden around campus. Students who find a white safety plug will receive a discount on their ticket while students who find a black safety plug will win a free ticket.
Foo, Patenaude and Mai Anthes, junior psychology major from Japan, were unable to pick a favorite act featured in Ethnos.
“Because they’re presenting a different culture, there’s something different you like about each one,” Anthes said. “Each one is distinct from one another. They each have their own flavor.”
Foo emphasized that Ethnos isn’t just about sharing the cultures of international students only.
“A lot of Americans are a part of it, and it is a part of ACU tradition,” said Foo. “It’s something we want to continue and support because we think it’s important.”
