Hawktoberfest hosted multiple performances that showcased a range of music and dance, food accommodations, and student organizations, allowing students to be exposed to different cultures. The event was held this past Friday, September 20, on the lawn behind the Memorial Union. 

The idea of Hawktoberfest came from the University of North Dakota’s strategic plan for equity-and-affinity-based programming and how the Pride and Hilyard Center are not solely responsible for providing equity-and-affinity-based programming. 

“We wanted to make sure that representatives from student organizations, local performers, and local organizations could be part of Hawktoberfest, and that students on campus could get a sampling of different cultures,” Mike Wozniak, UND’s Coordinator of Leadership and Programming, said. “Whether it be watching a Filipino dance number or it be trying a food truck that is outside of someone’s comfort zone, we wanted to offer something a little more diverse.” 

After weather restrictions and scheduling conflicts with homecoming events last year, the second installment of Hawktoberfest addressed those concerns. 

“We had a lot of challenges logistically with Hawktoberfest last year, but we were still able to get food trucks and have performances,” Wozniak said. “This year, we were able to plan for some of those contingencies.” 

Hawktoberfest started by having food trucks lined up between the Memorial Union and O’Kelly Hall. These food trucks, Melissa’s Mobile Cocina, Tacho Man, and Little Bangkok, alongside UND Dining offered an array of meals and samples from foreign cultures.  

“We will have a lot of concepts available to sample. So, those samples will be free for anyone who wants to take part,” Wozniak said. “It, again, gives people some options that day.” 

After Imteaz Osmani sang a traditional song, the Korean Culture Exchange Club performed their Korean-pop dance number. 

“The K-pop dance team always guarantees an energetic and exciting performance; this performance is no different. We plan on showing you our teams flexibility and cool sides,” KCEC Vice President Alexis Mull said. “I hope with this performance UND students can find just as much fun in the K-pop dances as we do.” 

The KCEC’s K-pop performance consisted of five people, one of which was the KCEC’s K-pop dance-team captain, Norah Tomasouw. 

“I hope the audience will appreciate how diverse K-pop can be and enjoy our performance,” Tomasouw said. 

Once the KCEC’s act concluded, Eller Bonifacio, a Filipino dancer, came on to the stage. 

“I really liked Eller Bonifacio’s performance. Last year, he got audience participation. So, he got audience members to come in and try the dance,” Wozniak said. “It was really engaging for everyone involved because they got to watch their friends do it or do it themselves.” 

The North-Dakota-based German band, Grand Forks German Band, played their selection of traditional Bavarian oom-pa-pa tunes. 

“Many students have never heard this music played live in the traditional Bavarian style before,” Tamara Bertram, Grand Forks German Band’s manager and violinist, said. “I think this music has a very cheerful effect on listeners, and students will enjoy every song we play, from drinking songs to polkas.” 

During Bertram’s time studying for her undergraduate degree in music at the Milan Conservatory, a college of music, in Milan, Italy, she took a world-music elective where she learned Bavarian music: the styles, the melodies, and the traditional song structures. 

“I love entertaining, and German music makes everyone smile,” Bertram said. “Music is my creative outlet and keeps my life balanced.” 

Hawktoberfest ended with special-guest performer Christian Adeti, from the Titambe West African Dance Ensemble. 

“If someone could stay for five minutes and see a portion of a dance or a song or try some food, they have tried something new,” Wozniak said. “The goal of this is to broaden people’s perspectives, and if they can learn just a little bit of something new out of this event, then we have done our job.” 

Throughout Hawktoberfest, multiple student organizations, such as the African Student Union and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, occupied tables where students could learn more about their organizations. 

“When people come to college is the perfect time to really get to know all those different global perspectives,” Wozniak said. “It is a good opportunity, within our students lives, to learn about other cultures.” 

Dylan Campbell is a Dakota Student General Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].