Aiko performs in final show of the year

On Sat. April 23, members of the Wellesley community gathered in Jewett Auditorium to watch Aiko’s final show of the year. The show was titled “Reflections.” Aiko was founded in 2007 by three Wellesley students and is currently the only Taiko group on campus. Members of Aiko performed several pieces and invited Wellesley’s Yanvalou Drum and Dance Ensemble and The Genki Spark to showcase their work as well. Yanvalou is a faculty-directed group at Wellesley that performs “the folkloric music and dance of Africa as it exists today.” The Genki Spark is a Boston based pan-Asian women’s arts and advocacy organization that “uses Japanese taiko drumming, personal stories and creativity to build community, develop leadership and advocate respect for all.” Women and gender studies Professor Elena Tajima Creef is a proud member of Genki Spark and got to perform in front of several of her students and colleagues on Saturday night. In addition to the stellar performances by Aiko, Yanvalou and Genki Spark, “Reflections” featured a video presentation honoring Aiko’s graduating seniors.

Wellesley’s Hui O Hawai’i hosts 14th annual Lū’au

Wellesley College’s Hui O Hawai’i hosted its 14th annual Lū’au on Saturday afternoon in Tishman Commons. The 14-year tradition is a way for Hui O Hawai’i to teach members of the Wellesley community more about Hawaiian culture. The event included live music and hula performances from Hālau ‘O Keikiali’i, a traditional Hawaiian cultural group based in Northern California that strives to “help perpetuate the rich culture of the Hawaiian people through educational workshops, performances and other cultural events.” Local Hawaiian dishes such as duck fat kalua pig, Shoyu roasted chicken and mac salad were also served at the Lū’au.

Dead Serious holds seriously funny comedy festival

Wellesley College’s only student-led improvisation group, Dead Serious, held its annual comedy festival the week of April 18-21. The festival kicked off on Thursday with a performance from Liquid Fun, Boston University’s improvisation group. On Friday, Broti Gupta ’16, a Wellesley alumnae and writer for the shows “Speechless” and “Friends from College,” delivered a lunchtime talk. Dead Serious concluded its comedy festival on Saturday afternoon with an open mic stand up event at El Table.