Asian Fest Dazzles with Two Nights of Style, Dance, and Music

Elaborately choreographed routines from members of the KJC-pop clubs were among the highlights of the evening. *Photo: Leah Portnoy*

By SHANZEH FAHID and ALANNA LALMAN

with contributions from Daniel Ghoprial and Oluwajembola Orioke

Asian Fest returned once again on February 26 and 27, lighting up the auditorium with dazzling performances as students showcased their heritage from across Asia through dance, fashion, and music.

Mr. Emilio Ortega, one of the festival’s advisors, emphasized its inclusive spirit. "Asian Fest is a neutral space,” Mr. Ortega said. “The real heart of the event is the students. The commissioners, Bryanna Rambharose ‘25 and Avril Chen ’26, are the ones leading the charge, and my role is to be there for them.”

Chen and Rambharose steered the ship with dedication. "I wanted to become commissioner to continue the legacy of Asian Fest. I fell in love with the culture and the process," Chen said.

Rambharose echoed the sentiment. "Asian Fest is about the journey—the relationships and the effort, not just the final show," she said.

Mr. Luis Cuevas, the other advisor, highlighted the event's growth. "We've gone from a one-day show with 70 members to a two-day event with nearly 300 students," Cuevas said. He also noted the team's pride in upgrades like flags, haze machines, and full-color playbills.

Dr. Robert Quinlan, the principal, praised the student-led ethos. “That’s the beauty of [Asian Fest], it’s student-driven,” he said. “Students are giving the audience a combination of representing their respective cultures while also honoring the style of show their peers would want to see. Midwood is a slice of Brooklyn—you see a little bit of everything here.”

Visual directors Kiki Teng '25 and Wan Yin Wu '25 ensured no culture was overshadowed. "We stepped back from East Asian symbols like the Year of the Snake to avoid overshadowing other regions," Teng said.

"The Simurgh [a Persian bird] and three-legged crow [from East Asia] symbolized unity on our backdrop," Wu explained.

Zuhra Boisova '25, Central Asia’s director, brought depth to traditions like the "Kelin Salom”—the bride's bow—which shows respect for elders and children. "We wanted the audience to see Central Asia's depth beyond stereotypes," Boisova said.

Yanna Cheung '26, East Asia’s director, prioritized authenticity. "We chose songs by East Asian artists to avoid westernized lenses," Cheung said.

Nafia Alam '26, South Asia’s director, celebrated the region's diversity. "South Asia is more than Bollywood,” she said. “We mixed classical and folk dances to showcase its richness.”

“At times South Asia doesn’t get as much recognition,” said Madiha Noor Asghar ’27. “To represent our clothing, jewelry, and music was an honor.”

Noor Ul Huda ’26, inspired by Bollywood classic Om Shanti Om, said, “Performing South Asian dance holds a special place in my heart.”

The two-day spectacle featured a wide assortment of dance styles, both modern and traditional, as well as stunning displays of cultural fashion.

"Asian Fest is a place where we dancers of the KJC-pop clubs and many more are able to show our emotions and connect with people in the audience through our dancing,” said Miyuu Hanamatsu '26, K-pop director.

The scope of Asian Fest has steadily grown in recent years. “The biggest challenge we faced was getting everyone to be in sync and making sure that everyone knows the dance,” said Hanamatsu. “We have almost 100 people in the club, and it was hard to keep everyone organized and put together."

Helping the on-stage performers shine were the light and sound crews.

"For solos, we used soft spotlights to highlight singers without blinding them," said Grace Wu '26, the light director.

Yuuichi Naraoka '25 of the sound crew said, "Traditional songs are quieter than K-pop, so we had to adjust volumes on the fly.”

As the show has expanded – to broader regional representation and two nights – so has its audience. The organizers sold over 1,200 tickets out of a 1,400 ticket capacity. The “resilience and dedication” to make such an event happen “are what make Asian Fest so memorable,” Mr. Ortega said.

From the Monkey King's t-shirt toss to tear-inducing "Dholida" performances, Asian Fest was a testament to cultural pride and teamwork.

"People cheered for cultures not their own—that's the unity Asian Fest creates," said Luke Cooper '25, an audience member.

"When everyone got emotional at the end, I knew we'd made it unforgettable," Chen said.