No one can deny that the week before Thanksgiving break ranks as one of the most stressful weeks in the semester. If you are searching for an opportunity to rewind and watch your fellow Villanova peers perform, SAMOSA is holding its annual multicultural talent show this Saturday, Nov. 20th, at 6:00 pm in the Villanova Room at the Connelly Center. 

An annual event, SAMOSA, Villanova’s South Asian Multicultural Organized Students Association, was unable to host their event last year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Come 2021, they are back to showcase the wide array of cultures and talents that students at Villanova have to offer. As the largest multicultural show on campus, this is a unique opportunity that students should not miss. 

Each year SAMOSA chooses a special name for their multicultural event. This year, it is entitled Junoon. Translated from Hindi to English, Junoon means passion. Passion will be evident in every performance come this Saturday. 

“I am expecting an awesome showcase that will represent the hard work of SAMOSA executive members and representatives,” SAMOSA president Kunj Patel said. 

Junoon will have something for everyone to enjoy. Not only will there be an Indian fashion show, but there will also be Indian dance performances, sets by acapella groups, a skit and more performances, including some by other schools. 

Both George Washington University and the University of Delaware have groups coming to Villanova this Saturday. Delaware Kamaal and George Washington Chamak are Indian Fusion dance teams at their respective schools. Villanova’s Fusion dance team Nova Nassa will perform as well. Additionally, the Villanova Spires, Villanova Twirlers, Villanova Ablaze and VU Superlatives, are among other Villanova groups that will showcase their talents. 

After the show, dinner will be served in the West Lounge in Dougherty Hall with additional seating in Cafe Nova and the East Lounge. Included in the eight-dollar presale ticket price or the ten-dollar ticket price at the door is a meal of Butter Naan, Chicken Tikka Masala, Dal Makhani, Samosas, Paneer Makhani, Gobi Manchurian and Jeera Rice. 

SAMOSA has put in countless hours of time and effort to prepare this event for Villanova’s campus. 

“The prep has been going on for months for this showcase,” Patel said. “The rooms have been booked since last year and meetings every week have been going on since spring into the summer.”

While enjoying a nice dinner, a fantastic show and celebrating the hard work of Villanova’s SAMOSA is a great reason to attend Junoon, the event also supports an important cause: Aarti for Girls. All proceeds from the show will go to the Aarti Home for Girls, which is “a haven for children who have suffered abuse, trafficking, and abandonment,” according to Aarti Home’s webpage. Many of the abandoned children population in India is young girls, Aarti home helps to protect these girls while also addressing gender discrimination that is present in India. 

A chance to support Villanova students and children around the world, Junoon is sure to be a fun-filled night away from the stress of the nearing end of the semester. 

SAMOSA will have tables in the Connelly Center Tuesday through Thursday from 11 am to 3 pm, where students can purchase tickets before the event. Tickets can also be purchased through VUTIX or at the door of the event. To keep up with Villanova SAMOSA, head to their Instagram page @villanovasamosa.