Organized by the Chinese Student Association, the Mid-Autumn Festival on Saturday was a three-and-a-half-hour production filled with various performances by groups from campus and the city.
Guests were welcomed with modern Chinese pop music and small goody bags filled with mooncakes. This led into the gala, which began with a short video skit introducing each department in the group and a quick speech from the night’s hosts, freshmen Xiaorui Jing and Chenhui Xu.
The night’s performances started with a long silk fan dance from the Chinese School of Rochester Dance Crew. Although the performers were young in age, they definitely had no problem with impressing the crowd. Waving colorful ribbons and fans around, the performers were a sight to behold.
The Rochester Chinese Ensemble was the next group to grace the stage for the night. Armed with traditional Chinese instruments, the musical ensemble captivated the crowd with both an soothing piece and an upbeat festive piece.
Between performances, the CSA also hosted raffle drawings which included coupons, a Polaroid camera, and an Xbox One. Winners were ushered up the stage with victorious music and a beaming spotlight.
Raffle host “Watermelon” was the laughter and comedy of the show. With jokes and amusing catchphrases, he brought the audience to tears.
Other groups that performed throughout the night were the Wenxuan Cheng and Rochester Chinese Ensemble, Phoenix Fire, Rice Crew, and some solo singers. Each performance shined in the moments that they were on stage and brought a unique aspect to the gala.
After a 10-minute intermission and a quick boba break, the show was back on the road.
In the second half of the program, the band Hypnotize was the first to light up the stage. Combined with the fog machine and the main singer’s raspy voice, the band gave off an air of mystery.
Another band, Mickey’s Dinner, kept up the energy in the room as the performers rapped and sang in both English and Chinese. With their energetic dance moves and high energy, Mickey’s Dinner definitely brought the crowd to their feet.
Rap group Roc Cypher surprised the audience with not only their emcee skills, but also the unique aspects of their performance. During the middle of their rapping, the group managed to sneak in phrases that had a Shanghai dialect.
Although the majority of performances were Chinese-centric, not all were. The Midnight Ramblers also made an appearance, and serenaded the crowd with their own rendition of the songs “Closer” and “Attention.”
Additionally, Indulgence Dance Crew performed and pumped up the crowd with their smooth moves and funky beats.
The night came to a close with freshman singer Chenjie Song singing a traditional Chinese tune, “Long Wen.” With her clear smooth voice, Song was the perfect choice for concluding the gala.
When the night ended, audience members trickled out Strong Auditorium’s doors, all freshly armed with the true experience of a Mid-Autumn Festival, regardless of where they’re from.
