The inaugural Asian Night was held last Thursday (Feb. 13) at the East Somerville Community School auditorium.
The event was organized by the Friends of Asian Culture club (FAC). The club’s intention in organizing the event was to kindle an appreciation for different cultures in Asia and to give students a platform to showcase their talents.

Around 100 parents, teachers and students attended the event, which had two parts. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., attendees enjoyed Chinese, Nepali and Indian food, and young kids learned to make origami stars, Chinese paper lanterns and traditional Chinese paper-cutting of characters representing words such “spring” and “joy.” FAC also fundraised through an arts-and-crafts sale, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to Philippines typhoon relief.

From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., 18 Somerville High School students and parents delivered 11 performances that featured poetry recitation, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indian, Tibetan and Japanese songs, as well as Chinese, Bollywood and Korean dances.

There were several highlights. Marianne Henriksen, a junior, controlled the sound, designed the program brochure and also sang a beautiful Japanese solo. Karishma Sukhu, founder and president of FAC, did a fabulous job organizing the students’ auditions and rehearsals. Jordan Young, a junior, not only did an amazing dramatic interpretation of an original, six-part haiku, but also gave 50 percent of what he made from his jewelry sale to FAC. Dega, a parent, sang a powerful a cappella Tibetan solo. All the performers and volunteers did an excellent job.