Culture and coffee will come together at the annual International Coffeehouse.
This year, I-Club president Shuen-En Ho, and the club’s core members have lined up a variety of acts that showcase the cultural backgrounds of Northwestern students.
“I’m doing a dance to K-pop,” Ho said. “K-pop is Korean pop music.”
Ho is performing with I-Club members Na Heai Kim, Mariko Komatsu and Naoko Oura.
Meanwhile, junior Laura Glendenning has selected a few American songs to sing for her performance.
“I haven’t been a part of the Coffeehouse prior to this, but I’ve performed occasionally around the Omaha area,” Glendenning said.
Glendenning was encouraged by her roommate, Ho, to share her vocal talent at the International Coffeehouse.
Junior Yukiko Higashino is making her third appearance at the International Coffeehouse to sing a Japanese song with I-Club members Shohei Mizobe, Chihiro Maruyama, Yurika Yamaguchi, Mariya Umeki and Akio Abraham Kist-Okazaki. The group will immerse students in the Japanese culture through its clothing and language.
Devon Cadwell was asked by the I-Club to share his unique music style at the International Coffeehouse.
“I do not have any idea how to describe what cultural style my music comes from,” Cadwell said. “So maybe I would say that I mixed the song styles of Regina Spektor and Ingrid Michaelson.”
According to Ho, the International Coffeehouse is meant to give people a chance to see what the I-Club is all about. Ho said she hopes that those who attend will find the I-Club offers various opportunities for students to engage in other cultures and backgrounds that they know nothing about.
“Many people will think it is only for international students, but it is not,” Ho said. “The I-Club is for everyone who is interested in other cultures.”
Glendenning agreed with Ho and said he finds much value in being a member of the I-Club even though she is not an international student.
“While we may be in our own country, we still have our own culture,” Glendenning said. “We are still international, and we still have much to offer to the cultural conversation.”
The International Coffeehouse will be held from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, in the Hub. The event is free, and all drinks will be $1 off during the show.
