Written and photo by Zinzile Ncube

@_ziznye._

When you’re an international student miles away from home, the one thing you are craving is a way to connect to your home and your culture. This becomes especially true when your home country is famous for upbeat music and carnivals that involve beautiful cultural dancing. The international students at Saint Mary’s felt this disconnect and decided to do something to feel connected to home and to raise money for a charitable cause. This is where the Friends of Halo Society got the innovative idea to create a “Socasize” event which involves a mixture of upbeat Caribbean music, which features both dancehall and soca beats, creating an atmosphere that is reminiscent of a carnival.

This dance infused workout session incorporates many moves and techniques that leave you feeling invigorated and energized, and also teaches you new dance skills. The veteran dance instructor Kimie, encourages participants to “use their waist” throughout the dance session, enhancing the ability to move like the infamous Caribbean dancers. After talking to the passionate and motivated instructor, I got a better understanding of the importance of dance to Caribbean people, which is a chance for the people from these islands to have a good time and stay in shape as well as maintaining and expressing their complex culture. When such an important cultural aspect is made accessible to international students, it helps to share their culture in an interactive and engaging manner creating a space to educate those who may be uninformed or ignorant. Kimie feels this is the most efficient way in which to share her culture and stay attached to her feelings of home and identity.

This event also creates a convenient opportunity for the Halo society to raise money for the multiple charitable organizations that they help support, such as Toy Drive for the Adison Children’s Home and a sponsorship for Syrian refugee children at Joseph Howe Elementary School. When speaking to the founding member and current president of the Friends of Halo society Franklyn Southwell, he explained how aside from their Valentine’s Day segment,—in which they distribute roses, baked goods and teddy bears— Socasize is set to happen bi-weekly to continue to raise funds for the outreach programmes organized. At this event you get to receive dance lessons and a workout from a verified dance instructor who teaches at studios around Halifax, as well as creating an opportunity to appeal to the philanthropist in you as your small contribution of $5 for this rewarding experience is not spent on petty or minor expenses, but facilities that require the assistance.