On Friday evening, the Great Hall in the Memorial Union was filled with both students and people from the Ames community. The people were there to experience the Global Gala, sponsored by the Student Union board.

On one end of the dimly lit Hall, a modest buffet was spread across two columns of tables. Among the ethnic food that was offered were pita points, and samosas. An abundance of circular tables rested in the center of the room to provide seating for those in attendance. The real focus, however, was on the stage.

Ten different acts performed traditional dances throughout the evening. These acts were comprised solely of student clubs from ISU.

Among the groups that performed were the Cyclone Swing Society, the Line Dancing Club, the Ladies of Raqs Jahanara, and the Indonesian Student Association.

Sanjukta Chatteryi, a freshman majoring in pre-architecture, was in attendance dressed in a rich purple and blue colored sari.

“I’m friends with Raghul, the M.C., so I came to enjoy the experience,” Chatteryi said.

Joris Montijo, a sophomore majoring in biology pre-med, was one of the dances that took to the stage. She performed with the Puerto Rican Student Association, and it was not the first time she’s done so.

Montijo also danced with the association on stage in her freshman year.

“It’s about moving your whole body to the rhythm. I feel very free up there [on the stage],” Montijo said.

The Indonesian Student Association performed while kneeling on the floor, using their arms to create syncopated percussion and movement.

The Ladies of Raqs Janahara performed twice, dressed in brightly colored garb. They swirled across the stage in a flourish to showcase both a Lebanese routine as well as a Nubian folk dance.

The ISU Raas Club, a multicultural club aimed at promoting dance, danced across the stage in bedazzled red and gold saris—presumably in honor of traditional ISU colors. They also incorporated dandiya sticks into their dance routine.

The Chris Sheafe, an electrical engineering major in his sophomore year, was invited by several people to attend.

“I saw the Bollywood Dancing Club rehearse, so I’m here to see them,” Sheafe said.

As the last performance of the night, The Bollywood Dancing Club brought showmanship to the Global Gala. The male performers swaggered on stage to a montage of American and Indian music, using acrobatic moves to surprise and thrill the audience.

The female dancers countered that cockiness with some of their own, though they retained a more muted attitude through their movements.

Kayla Anderson, a sophomore in communication, was very pleased with the show.

“I love learning about and experiencing new culture. I love everything I’ve seen,” Anderson said.