The Online Reflector

Talents of both University of Indianapolis students and faculty were showcased in the Modern Languages Spring Cabaret on Wednesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. in UIndy Hall A.

Students and faculty were encouraged to give a presentation in a foreign language and bring food from other cultures.

“This is important to us because it’s a moment for students to present their work and showcase their talent,” said visiting instructor of modern languages Aaron Lorenz.

To start off the event, members the Global Rally of Students (GRaS) gave a presentation. According to GRaS’s Facebook page, GRaS is a charitable group dedicated to helping out the international and local students on UIndy’s campus by providing students with support they need in order to understand each other and form friendships.

The group also discussed different events hosted on campus so far this year and sent a sign-up sheet for students interested in joining the group.

To lead the student presentations was a recorded skit, “La Boite,” which translated from French is “The Office.”

It was difficult to comprehend due to audio issues, but even those in attendance who did not speak French seemed to appreciate the humor that was intended.

A live performance was given when a group of students in a Spanish class sang “Una rosa es una rosa,” which translates from Spanish to “A rose is a rose.” The song was accompanied by instructor in modern languages José Díaz Pérez, who played guitar and sang along. This song showed to be a favorite of the audience, who, while lifeless at first, came alive and clapped along to the beat of the song.

Following “Una rosa es una rosa” was a song called “Ich will,” by German band Rammstein. This was made into a music video by a group of students in a German language course. The music video gave off a chilling vibe with all the mobster scenes there were. Even though frightening to some, other audience members seemed to enjoy the video.

The last of the student performances was given by one of professor Barbara de Gortari’s Spanish 201 classes, who put on a skit called “escenas de SNL,” or scenes from Saturday Night Live. During the skit, numerous characters were portrayed by the students, such as Sean Connery, Sarah Palin, Hillary Clinton and Elin Woods.

“I wanted to involve my classes in order to expand their [the students’] horizons so they can see first-hand what the other languages are doing,” de Gortari said. “And also because it’s fun.”

Also included in student performances were “Poder mapuche,” a commercial by Brent Lederle, “Die Lorelei,” a German poem interpreted by German-speaking students, “Tu Necesito” and “Por Qué Te Vas,” both songs sung by spanish classes.

The faculty performances started with German professor Gerburg Garmann reading nursery rhymes in both German and English, showing hidden messages she claimed were for children. She also read a poem she had written in German and English.

The next performance was another given by Pérez, doing a solo song, “Los campanilleros.” Pérez continued by performing “Vendrán días” by Manolo García with fellow modern language instructor Maribel Campoy.

Lorenz ended performances with a group of other adults made up of Luciane Moraes Sipes, Keicka Konate, Leonardo Sousa Reis and Dustin McKinney. The group put on Brazilian type music with three songs, bringing in elements the cabaret had not yet seen such as an accordion, tambourine and maracas.

The last song, “Ela não gosta de mim” by Dedé Paraízo, was enjoyed by the audience, who clapped along with the beat in the music.

Throughout the whole event the audience laughed, smiled and clapped after each performance was given.

With an estimated 120 people in attendance, Lorenz considered the event a success.

“I hope that students and faculty will come away from the event with a new sense of optimism about their work and see the connections between languages and culture,” Lorenz said.