Celebrating both cultural diversity and women was Rashmi Ahuja’s selling point when it came to organizing Cultural Diversity Around the World.

Ahuja, who organized the event Friday in the Gallery Room of the Memorial Union, said it was important to include both aspects of diversity in the celebration, especially from her position as an international student and cultural coordinator for the Carrie Chapmann Catt Center for Women and Politics.

“We thought it would be a good opportunity for . community members to get together,” Ahuja said.

“It’s rare to see so many people from so different cultures in one place.”

The celebration included several all-female performances and a large selection of international food.

One dance group, Kra-Z, consists of four students from Fort Dodge High School: Amanda Phillips, Hetal Bhakta, Ashley Bures, and Chyenna Davis.

The students, clad in bright traditional Indian dress, performed four dances, bracelets clinking as they moved confidently to the music.

The performance was one of six acts, all part of the celebration.

The event served as both a celebration of International Women’s Day and a gathering of the international community in Ames, said Ahuja, sophomore in pre-business.

“I think it was awesome,” Ahuja said. “The dance performances were more than I expected.”

About 100 people attended the event, leaving standing room only. Audience members snacked on an array of international food including chicken satay in peanut sauce, egg rolls, quesadillas and spinach and feta cheese croissants.

Phillips said her biggest difficulty was that movements in Indian dance are smoother than those in contemporary American dance music. Phillips said the group has performed at talent shows before and learned the evening’s last dance in one week.

John Solensten, Ames resident, said he enjoyed the event.

“It was delightful,” Solensten said. “The dance was a joy. It was nice to see dancers from Iowa dancing to something other than rock `n’ roll.”