Asian Occasion: Celebrating Culture

By Donna Yee (November 5, 2007)

	Deirdre Levy dressed as princess for the traditional dance of singkil. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

Gavin Osorio's free moments are spent choreographing dance moves for the upcoming Asian Occasion, the annual event that showcases the breadth of Asian culture and pride on the UAlbany campus.

Though not of Filipino descent, Osorio joined the campus cultural club Liga Filipina in 2004-05, his freshman year. His decision to join highlights the "diversity within diversity" of cultural groups on campus, and the unique opportunities for students to learn about other cultures.

Now, as cultural chair of Liga Filipina, Osorio, a senior from Ossining, N.Y. majoring in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, has rehearsed the dancers four to five hours a week for the past five weeks in anticipation of the popular Asian Occasion.

"I'm involved in Asian Occasion because it'll help spread the word about Liga Filipina to other groups. Also to see other Asian cultures and their traditional dances."

	From left, Liga Filipina Cultural Chair Gavin Osorio guides dancers Deirdre Levy and Teddy Jurlano. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

In one of its high energy dances, Osorio's group mixes traditional Filipino dance elements with modern music and steps in "tinikling," a dance that involves pairs of long bamboo sticks struck together by "clackers" while dancers move between the rods demonstrating their skill and agility. Another traditional dance, "singkil," tells the story of a captured princess and her rescuer prince.

This year's Asian Occasion will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at Page Hall on the downtown campus. Advance tickets go on sale Nov. 12 for $10, and are $12 the evening of the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Related Links:
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Liga Filipina
Office of International Education