The annual cultural show Ethnos, a showcase of singing and dancing performances that celebrate cultures from around the world, will take place on Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. at the Boone Family Theatre.
The show is student-led with business director; Aaron Klammer, upstage director; Nataly Zuniga; downstage director, Elida Tovias and marketing director; Ana Gaiovicz. Klammer, junior marketing major, from Shanghai, China, performed in the show last year and now serves as the business director.
Over the summer, Klammer began organizing the finances and looking for sponsors for the show. The performers are reimbursed for costumes and props to help support those participating in the acts.
“Ethnos promotes inclusivity and acceptance,” Klammer said. “We’re there to have fun and educate people. And get people to do something that’s not schoolwork.”
Elida Tovias, junior nursing major, from Veracruz, Mexico, is in a leadership role for the second year in a row as a downstage director.
With more acts than the year before, and a completely different concept, the audience will get a glimpse of the different cultures represented in Abilene.
“I didn’t know there were so many cultures here in Abilene,” Tovias said. “That was really eye-opening, there’s actually a lot of diversity.”
The rehearsals focus on teaching people how to dance or build upon what they already know to create an act. They run for about 2 hours, twice a week. Sofia Medina, junior graphic design major from Colombia, has an act called “Latinos Forever.”
“We want to show our culture, and the beauty that Latino America has,” Sofia said. “Most [of the acts] are dancing, we have a lot of singing and music. They’re going to play guitars and sing, and it’s going to be really beautiful. I am so proud of my team, and I hope everyone enjoys it.”
The International Student Association will collaborate with the Campus Activity Board to host a block party with vendors to promote the show on Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at Stevens Park.
Tickets for the show can be purchased at the Campus Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every weekday. Student tickets cost $8 and $12 for general admission, with $2 off each ticket if purchased in groups of five.
