The Association for the Development of Interest in the Indian subcontinent performed, for the first time, in front of a full Strong Auditorium last Saturday night. In fact, the performance started late due to people without tickets crowding the entrance of the auditorium in an attempt to watch the show. ADITI has again produced an excellent Mela show despite miserable performance conditions on stage due to the leaky Strong Auditorium roof. This was Mela’s 16 anniversary, and ADITI generates a finer show with each passing year.
Much of ADITI’s success with programming can be attributed to the group’s ability to reach out to everyone. Other student groups interested in producing large events should look to ADITI’s example. Getting as many people involved as possible will ensure that the word gets out about an event, and will maximize turnout. With all the recent racially charged incidents, it’s refreshing to see an event that brings together so many people.
ADITI coordinates Meltdown with the Spanish and Latino Students’ Association, Black Students’ Union, Korean American Students Association and the Chinese Students’ Association. In bringing together many cultural groups, it is guaranteed that a large number of students will hear about an event and provide adequate manpower. This year they distributed over 1,000 flyers and cards around campus for both Mela and Meltdown to spread the word throughout the UR community.
One of Meltdown’s more unique qualities lies in the music presented. Rarely will hip-hop, salsa, reggae, house and bhangra be spun at the same party. This ensures that the party has a great cross-cultural atmosphere. Using multicultural groups and presenting ethnic music with mass appeal has ensured that there are continuously successful Meltdowns.
Meltdown’s reputation keeps attracting more students each year as one of the premier parties on campus. Hopefully, other groups will see it as an example of cooperation and emulate it in the future.
