One only need turn on the local news to discover that bringing together different cultures is a monstrous task, but a much needed one minority leaders at Iowa State say.

And so, in the spirit of the Veishea celebration, minority leaders here will be presenting “Harambe‚,” a talent show extravaganza.

“Harambe‚ is Swahili for coming together,” Black Student Alliance President, Meron Wondwosen said. “We wanted to showcase cultural talent as part of our celebration on multiculturalism.”

The program is tauted as having step performances, skits, comedy, Latin and African dancing and a fashion show representing the perspective cultures.

“We tried our best to get every [minority] organization to participate,” said Wendell Mosby, the committee director of the fashion segment.

He added that, unfortunately, organizations other than BSA have not been as willing to model their clothes.

Mosby said the planned fashion show thus far will model formal, sport and hip-hop apparel.

“It will exhibit a lot of what [BSA members] participate in,” he explained. “It’s going to be different.”

The hip-hop clothing is typified by the “inner-city, urban look,” Mosby said. Included among the shorts and T-shirts that make their way across the stage will be items from Mosby’s summer line of Wimp Wear.

Mosby added that if “traditional African” apparel is not brought in, the group may rent some costumes that represent various African nations.

But there will be a lot more than models strutting their stuff on stage according to Mosby. This fashion show requires audience participation.

“Usually when you see a fashion show,” he said, “you don’t expect to see people dancing in their seats. But there will be bootie music and we want to get people out of their seats.”

The extravaganza of talent known as Harambe‚ will follow comedian Geoff Brown on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. Admission is Free.