More than 100 people attended the 2016 Third Annual SJSU Cultural Showcase in the Student Union Ballroom on April 21. The event was founded three years ago by a group of SJSU Salzburg Scholars upon their return from a summer global seminar. The students sought out a way to connect the diverse student performing groups on campus while also highlighting the multiculturalism of the campus community.

Student performers auditioned this year for a panel of judges consisting of professors, a student representative and a staff representative with expertise in dance, performing arts or cultural affairs. This year’s event featured Pride of the Pacific Islands, Grupo Folklorico Luna y Sol de SJSU, Akbayan SJSU and a solo performance by Shivangi Agarwal who danced to a traditional Indian welcome song. In addition, guest artists were invited to perform this year. They included Nyantara Narasimhan on violin and Arvind Bhamidipati on tabla drums, who performed a south Indian song, and Mariah Miller (known as Unique Praiz) who performed mime to a gospel song. Following the performance, guests were invited to mingle with the artists at a reception with cultural food.