Searching for love, entertainment and catered food, around 300 students, community members and families came Feb. 14 to a sold-out Khmer Night in the Memorial Union Ballroom.
The dating show-inspired event billed as “Love Island: Cambodia” featured skits, couple’s trivia, a fashion show, singing and a dance performance from the Cambodian Dance Troupe of Oregon.
“Obviously, since it’s Valentine’s Day we’re trying to provide an alternative event for people to attend,” said Denise Mach, co-president of the Cambodian Student Association. “Especially if they don’t have plans with their partner or even if they’re going alone or with their friends.”
A mix of couples, friends and families filled the room as sparkling lights and roses dangled above from the ceiling.
Maddy Ko, a second-year chemical engineering major, came to the event with her partner, Alex Lulaly, a third-year mechanical engineering major. She came to support her roommate who is part of the Cambodian Student Association and goes to cultural nights at Oregon State University often.
“I have a lot of friends who are people of color and all my housemates are people of color,” Ko said. “We’re always here, we’re always around.”
The student association provided a free dinner of traditional Cambodian cuisine to all attendees before the show.
Before and even during the show attendees lined up to get mini-portraits drawn by sketch artist, Tin Huinh, of Portland. Huinh does pop-up art at events under the name Tiny Space.
First, the guests from the Cambodian Dance Troupe performed a blessing dance. Then the dating drama began. The goal for the seven contestants was to make it to Cambodian paradise and find love.
Interspersed between skits filled with fights, heartbreak and reality TV hijinks were vocal and dance performances by club members and Kinetic, an OSU dance group.
Emcees brought up audience members on stage for couple trivia and a blind-dating show. Between skits, officers drew raffle tickets for prizes.
To wrap up, club officers walked out in pairs for a fashion show and choreographed dances to celebrate the end of Khmer Night.
“Every year we look forward to doing this,” Mach said. “Just by how stressful it is, I think it just feels more rewarding seeing a bunch of people come together and celebrate Cambodian culture.
