Wednesday April 9, marked the third day of the Pan-Afrikan week festivities, with a variety of clubs on campus hosting events. So, I decided to spend my evening dancing the night away. After all, what better way to celebrate African and African American culture than through dance and music?
Silent Headphone Party
The Black Students Board (BSB) hosted a Silent Headphone Party that began at 7:00 in the Coastal Ballroom in Talley. Once you entered, you were provided your own set of headphones along with a glow stick and a t-shirt. The headphones had two working channels, with DJ SPiFF on the main line.
Eventually, popular line dances to songs such as the “Wobble” and the “Cha Cha Slide” broke the ice. Hip hop and trap were also popular genres played throughout the night.
If you ever got bored with the main channel, you always had the option to switch to the second one. Towards the beginning, the channel played straight country music, then blended into pop and rap. At times, you would see masses of people switch channels to music with a completely different vibe, bobbing their heads to a completely different beat.
Jordan Evans, a first-year student in animal science, recounted, “I really enjoyed the silent headphones party. I didn’t realize how much I needed it! It felt good to have been able to be a part of the decision-making process with the Black Students Board, back in fall. It was good seeing everyone, especially those of color, just come together and have a great time.”
If you needed a rest from the dance floor, standing tables with refreshments and food catered by Rave were located on the far left side of the ballroom. This included cupcakes, fruit, egg rolls, meatballs, vegan meatballs and chicken and waffle skewers.
“The silent headphone party was one of my favorite events of my first year here at NC State. The environment was amazing and the music was so good! They also had food for us, which is great since the event ended when all the food places were closed. This was well planned and the DJ was great. I would love to see more of this and more events overall from BSB”, raves Kayla Graves, a first-year psychology student.
All in all, the word silent was misleading. The room was full of excitement and singing. Friend groups huddled together, bouncing off one another’s energy while waving glow sticks. DJ SPiFF also engaged with the crowd, every so often during popular songs or when someone took the spotlight while dancing.
Inertia X APP Dance Lessons
Inertia, a club that promotes physical fitness on campus, partnered with the African Prosperity Project (APP) to teach various African dance moves. The goal was to raise money to buy school supplies for 1st and 2nd grade students in Gambia. Participants were asked to donate $2 at the event, then it kicked off with a brief presentation introducing the APP and their mission.
Afterwards, the lead was handed over to members of the Botewa Dance Club. A team that specializes in performing African dance styles. That night, they taught African dances at a beginner-friendly level, including Amapiano footwork, Congolese Hip Dancing, and Compa.
While it was personally my first time meeting many of the people there, their comfort with one another created an inviting and non-judgmental space for learning.
The class ended with a dance circle where everyone got to show off their moves. Despite the differences in skill levels, the atmosphere was extremely encouraging and welcoming to dancers of all backgrounds.
There was also talk of attending Africa Night. The African Student Union (ASU) hosts an annual Africa Night. The event showcases African dancing, fashion, and a storyline shown through skits. It was another great way to learn and interact with African culture.
Spending Wednesday night dancing with others and learning new moves was not only enriching, but also fun. What better way to learn about different cultures than to immerse yourself in them and seek experiences that take you out of your comfort zone?
