One of the most interesting performances was the dance of the Philippine American League. Named “Tinikling” after the tikling, the Philippine national bird, it mimicked the movements of the long-legged bird as it flew among the stick traps set by Filipino farmers. In other words, the dancers were dancing as long bamboo poles moved rapidly underfoot. The extraordinary timing and coordination required was well recieved by the audience.

However, the National Society of Black Engineers Step Team was by far the crowd favorite. The step team stomped and slapped out rhythms of their own making to the applause and delight of everyone in the audience. Part of the step team’s popularity stemmed from quite a few members of the audience being personally acquainted with members of the step team.

Several of the performances were poetry readings; the best of these was “Innocence, In a Sense,” read by Justin Seret. The poem displayed phenomenal artistry of the written word as it described the speaker’s removal of all but one of the five senses in order to preserve innocence.

Another interesting reading was given by Gil Valadez, 135th Grand Marshal and former member of Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. Valadez read a poem he wrote early in his sleepless morning of September 12, 2001. Valadez was GM at the time of the World Trade Center collapse and his pent-up emotions found tragic expression in his poem “Sing.”

A number of singers lent their talents to the performances. RPI Professor Don Millard played his electric guitar and had the audience clapping to the music. Millard was well received; he had several of his students in the audience. Millard’s songs started the evening off on a highly enjoyable tone.

For a change of pace, a fashion show and dance was held by the Indian Students Association. The dancers in sequined, flowing dresses were enveloped by the entrancing music. The audience awarded their wonderful performance with extended applause.