Music, dancing and Asian Pacific Island culture was explored in Serna Plaza during Asian Pacific Islands Cultural Heritage Day on April 23.

The event showcased performances by fire dancers, Sacramento State sorority Kappa Psi Epsilon, and the Sacramento Taiko Dan. Each performance was influenced by various Asian Pacific values and traditions.

Robert Ceaser, ASI special events coordinator, said ASI normally hosts an event for Cinco de Mayo and this was a change from the usual.

“We thought this year we wanted to recognize Asian Pacific Islander culture,” Ceaser said.

Ceaser thinks the event is a fun celebration both for those familiar with Asian Pacific culture and those who have not been exposed to it as much.

“All the events are different because each are targeted to different people,” Ceaser said. “If someone doesn’t know about another heritage, they can come and learn more.”

Kappa Psi Epsilon performed a Filipino dance called Pandanggo Sa Ilan and they danced while holding candles that represented fireflies. Kappa Psi Epsilon President Alyssa Gotgotao spoke about why she wanted to perform.

“I personally dance,” Gotgotao said. “I was more familiar with the Filipino cultural dance.”

She also felt proud of her fellow dancers and was happy they were able to share some of their values through dance.

“I wanted to bring the culture of Kappa Psi Epsilon – what me and my sisters have passion for – to the Sac State community,” Gotgotao said.

The Sacramento Taiko Dan drumming ensemble, which has been together for over 26 years, performed several songs for the audience.

Some of their drums were made by members from wine barrels. Their songs had meaningful names and descriptions. One song was described as a representation of calling a dragon and giving a prayer.

After a few songs, Sacramento Taiko Dan invited the audience up to the stage to drum and shout along with them.

Matt Zarilla is one student who took the opportunity to go on stage and drum with the ensemble.

“It was great,” Zarilla said. “It was actually harder than I thought.”

Zarilla even used a drumstick to acknowledge his friends while on stage and learned a bit more about how to drum for an audience.

“To make the reverberating sound, you have to drum it really hard,” Zarilla said. “I’ve been having a bad day, so this really helped out.”

The event was open to everyone, but some students who had strong connections to Asian Pacific Island culture were especially satisfied with the event.

Roma Prasad is an accounting major who came to see the fire dancers but enjoyed all of the performances.

“I was born on Fiji Island,” Prasad said.

She felt the event was a good way to connect Sac State students to Asian Pacific culture while also being a good outside event for students, family and faculty.