For an evening of rhythm, costumes and dances the Pacific Roots club invites the community to a luau this Friday to raise funds to support the club.
Club members will represent their cultures and heritage through dances and performances from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, the Cook Islands and the Hawaiian Islands.
A plate of Hawaiian-style food will also be provided from Kainoa’s Hawaiian Grill.
Event project manager Michael Ramos believes the event will be an opportunity to learn about each of the cultures.
“The luau will open up a perfect opportunity for people who have never, I guess, had a friend who was Polynesian, Micronesian, Melanesian or have never really heard their songs or tried their foods,” Ramos said. “They can just see how close this culture is.”
Pacific Roots is an off-campus organization made up of BYU-Idaho students who want to help people learn about diversity and the Polynesian culture. They have meetings and performances and are hoping the fundraiser will help them expand their club and have more funds to costume their performances.
“I was hoping that for the luau, with all the money raised, it could go to sustain the group for the next semester,” Ramos said. “I was talking with one of the presidents of the club and she said she kind of feared that there may not be Pacific Roots in the future, just because every semester students find themselves having to support the group and take money out of their funds.”
The luau is Friday at 6 p.m. at the Aisle Wedding and Event Center in Sugar City. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased through Venmo or at the door.
“I think that people should come and support the cause because learning about new cultures opens up dialogue and discussion for people to get out and learn more about people, especially in a time where people are more divided than ever,” Ramos said.
For more information, visit @PacificRootsRexburg on Instagram.