ISU students can learn about the background of their international peers through a free performance this evening. The Student Union Board (SUB) will present this year’s first show of Cafe Au Lait, a multicultural showcase, at 7:30 p.m. at The Maintenance Shop. “We do a multicultural show with different student organizations and organizations in the community can come and perform,” said Devna Popejoy, SUB multicultural director. “It gives them a chance to explain where they’re from and what their culture is about.” Popejoy, senior in child and family services, said tonight’s performance will feature the cultures of Southeast Asia with a traditional lion dance presented by the Association of Malaysian Students at Iowa State. Classical Indian music will also be featured. Theresa Cannon, Memorial Union program advisor for arts, said the event is easy for students to enjoy. “The setting is really informal,” she said. “You can talk one-on-one with the performers if you want to learn more.” The opportunity for students to experience world cultures through Cafe Au Lait is not new. The event has been going on for years. “Cafe Au Lait has been going on for such a long time, it really has become a tradition with the Student Union Board,” said M-Shop Coordinator Eric Yarwood. Yarwood said the event was the idea of an international student about ten years ago. In the beginning, performances were every other week. However, the modern Cafe Au Lait has more of a theme, making the performances “a bit more special,” he said. Past performances have showcased everything from belly dancing to Latin music to Native American storytelling. Popejoy said performances involve all aspects of cultural expression, including film, music, dance, art, traditional dance and poetry reading. Future performances are still in planning stages, but Popejoy said Latin dancers and musicians are a distinct possibility, as are events featuring American culture, such as exhibitions by the yo-yo or rodeo clubs. Popejoy said the event is a good way to “gain knowledge from other students.” “A lot of times we don’t get exposure to foreign cultures,” she said. “[Cafe Au Lait] is a wonderful opportunity for students to see what cultures are like because many won’t ever get to see one.” The event is the first of three to be presented this semester. The next Cafe Au Lait is scheduled for Oct. 24.