Winter Quarter 2024 hit the University of Denver campus in full force this week with a cold snap harsh enough to make Jack Frost shudder. While we seek shelter in the warmth of our central heating systems, let us also remember to bask in the warmth of our communities. As the campus hums to life at the start of the new year, the University of Denver’s cultural organizations have prepared a non-stop schedule of events, meetings and other cultural opportunities for the DU community to participate in.
To begin, DU’s Black Community Initiatives (BCI) will be hosting several events to celebrate the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week. Though recent extreme weather conditions have forced BCI to call off its participation in the Denver Marade – a procession honoring the late Dr. King – the organization has planned two more on-campus opportunities for students to connect and commemorate Dr. King’s legacy.
On Tuesday, Jan. 16, BCI will host an event titled “Day of Racial Healing Panel: Critical Conversations to Coalition Building.” From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in CCOM 1700, students will be able to engage in dialogue with panelists from around DU. The event aims not only to help students explore the topic of racial coalition building, but also to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s work by actively fostering dialogue and understanding among attendees. To take part in this event and enjoy the included lunch – to be provided by a Black-owned catering business – please follow the RSVP link.
Later that same day, students can take some time to support their own well-being from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. in DFRV room 195. During this time, community members will be able to connect while holding a discussion concerning racial healing. Following this, movement specialist Shanté Lamping will lead participants through a moon-gentle yoga class to encourage rest, serenity and relaxation. To participate in BCI’s “Breathing Together” event, follow the instructions at the registration link.
Looking ahead, BCI has also planned to host many more events throughout this year’s Black History Month in February. While more details are yet to come, some of the scheduled events include a Community Dinner in collaboration with the DU Cultural Center on Feb. 1, a return of the Black Love Valentine’s Day celebration on Feb. 14 and a concert hosted in tandem with the DU Music Department also held on Feb. 14. For more information on these future events, be sure to keep an eye on BCI’s webpage.
BCI is far from the only cultural organization with a full roster of events planned this quarter. The University of Denver’s Queer Student Alliance (QSA), Black Student Alliance (BSA) and Latine Student Alliance (LSA) will be collaborating this quarter to teach the DU community about ballroom culture. Ballroom culture is a form of drag performance originating from the Black and Latine queer communities of the late 20th century. Starting Feb. 16 at 2:15 p.m. in Sturm room 134, these three student alliances will begin to teach DU community members how to take part in these vibrant and meaningful events respectfully.
During the following week, LSA will work with the University of Denver Film Production Club to host a screening of “Paris is Burning,” a documentary showcasing ball and house culture. This series of meetings will culminate during Week 8 with a voguing and dipping class hosted by DU’s Dance Club and Kiki House of Flora, Denver’s local ballroom house. Be sure to check QSA, BSA and LSA’s pages for more information as the quarter progresses.
In addition to new, ambitious projects, this Winter Quarter will also see the return of old favorites. The Asian Student Alliance (ASA) will be holding its annual Lunar New Year celebration on Feb. 2. Starting at 5 p.m., guests can expect to see a range of stunning cultural performances and enjoy a vast array of delicious food, as was the case in years past. See ASA’s Instagram page for future announcements regarding location and further event details.
Additionally, the South Asian Student Association (SASA) is set to resume its regular meeting schedule this Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. in CCOM 2600. SASA brought Fall Quarter 2023 to a shining conclusion last November with its highly successful Diwali celebration. This week, the association looks forward to bringing the community back together once more.
Lastly, the Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) has created an event schedule chock-full of on-campus opportunities to engage with Middle Eastern culture. The first of these will be a mosaic painting event on Jan. 26 in which community members can come together to create a work of art. Participants will be given tiles and art supplies with which they may decorate their pieces. These will eventually be arranged with others to form a larger, community-created work.
Community members will also have the opportunity to learn to make two traditional dishes on Feb. 2 during MESA’s Middle Eastern cooking class event. Other featured events this February include a traditional dessert decorating event on Feb. 9 and a card night on Feb. 23, where attendees will be able to learn and play traditional games such as Basra and Tarneeb. See MESA’s Instagram page for more updates regarding one of DU’s newest student associations.
This Winter Quarter promises to provide students with a near-endless supply of cultural events and opportunities to engage with on campus. To stay up to date with the events and developments of DU’s student groups, be sure to check out the Cultural Center’s list of active student organizations.
