A taste of Middle Eastern culture will grace Club Rush’s dance floor on Thursday night during the 9th Annual Hafla, an event hosted by MSU’s Arab Cultural Society.
“It’s a big gathering where friends and company get together and enjoy Arabic music, food and dancing, usually accompanied by performances,” said Lauren Nader, a human biology junior and treasurer for the Arab Cultural Society.
Hafla means “party” in Arabic.
Several months of planning have gone into creating the Arab Culture Society’s biggest event of the year, she said.
Allison Tumas, vice president of the club and an Arabic and global studies in the arts and humanities sophomore, said the purpose of Hafla is to have a fun event available to everyone, while still promoting the society.
“(The attendees) can get an idea that we are a group and we are active on campus,” Tumas said. “This is my first year going and I’m excited for it, planning has been fun.”
At 8 p.m., Club Rush’s doors will open to MSU students over 18. A bar is available for students over 21. A strict formal dress code is enforced, so students should dress to impress, Nader said.
A belly dancer usually performs at the event, but this year, DJ Ehab of Dearborn and two drummers will provide music and entertainment.
Nader said the best part of Hafla is the Dabka, a type of step dance common in the Middle East.
“It’s kind of similar to the Greek version of dancing where you go around in a circle, and it’s so much fun when the beat picks up,” Nader said.
The Arabic-themed dinner will be catered by Woody’s Oasis and will be served on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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