Dressing in your finest attire, throwing down some cash for a fancy ride and dinner, and heading to dance the night away with a group of friends: Sound like high school?
This weekend, students can relive those experiences with the Chinese Students and Scholars Association’s International Masquerade Dance Night.
The lack of homecoming- or prom-esque dances in the college experience is why the association decided to host the event, said Yingqi Zheng, vice-president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association and a senior studying video production.
“The original idea comes from wanting to involve as many students as possible,” Zheng said. “Reminding students of their high-school prom is something they have in common.”
The International Masquerade Dance Night is the second dance that the group has held.
“We got a lot of feedback from students after last year’s dance, so we decided to do it again,” Zheng said.
The event offers an opportunity for Chinese freshmen to meet other native speakers, but this year, the Chinese Students and Scholars Association wants to try involving more American students with the dance, she said.
“To Americans, some of us seem shy, because we stick together, but we want to change that,” Zheng said. “The biggest purpose is that we want to show American and Chinese students having fun and having the chance to make new friends.”
The dance will feature a DJ, free food, games, prizes and performances, said Xingyu Wang, president of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association and a senior studying psychology.
Masks will be on sale for $5, but students are welcome to bring their own, she said.
Zane Tracy, a sophomore studying video production, said he is going to the event and is excited to have a nice night with his girlfriend, Rachel Lewis.
Tracy found out about the dance because Wang asked him to be in a promotional video.
“I work with Christina (Xingyu) on a weekly basis since she is the director of Fridays Live,” he said. “One night, she told me they wanted me to be in a promo for their dance, and I said, ‘Hell yeah.’ ”
The dance is a fun way for people to get to know one another, Wang said.
“This can let everyone know each other better and help make new friends,” she said.
ao007510@ohiou.edu
