By Mike Rougeau

The International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI) hosted Night of a Thousand Stars Monday night, nearly filling afterHOURS, despite the myriad alternatives happening on campus.

The event was meant as an orientation for new international students, said the evening’s emcee Karthik Subramanian, a junior electrical engineering major and member of ISSI.

The performances mainly focused on tidbits from the performers’ respective cultures, showcasing both traditional and contemporary forms of expression. Several students were signed up in advance to perform, and a few more volunteered throughout the show.

Ying Zhou, a graduate student studying international business, was the first act of the night. She sang “Flying Songs on Earth,” a traditional Chinese folk song that describes the happiness music creates. Though she began singing in a haunting falsetto, the tune quickly transformed into a percussion-driven anthem, complete with handclaps from the audience.

Sophomore economics major Mohammed-Jawad Mahama performed a song by Frank Sinatra entitled “I’ve Got A Crush On You.” Mahama wooed female audience members with his soulful performance. His voice blended with the voice of Sinatra on the accompanying background track in a moving way.

One performer played guitar while singing two popular Indian songs. Others decided to sing a capella, including a volunteer who sang a song from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” and another who sang a song by Indian pop artist Shankar Mahadevan. The nearly three-minute song, entitled “Breathless,” is sung by Mahadevan in one breath, and although the performer couldn’t accomplish this feat, his performance was well received by audience members.

Comic relief came in the form of a rendition of Mad TV’s beloved “Can I Have Your Number?” skit, performed by freshman business entrepreneurship and management major Loic Fokou Fongang. Just like in the skit, a female audience member in afterHOURS was more than reluctant to give up her digits. The night culminated with a spicy salsa dance, followed by snacks.

Subramanian, who admitted he was nervous about being the emcee, was nevertheless pleased with the turnout and performances.

“Although this was my first time emceeing, I think tonight turned out pretty well,” he said.

He said he is already looking forward to future ISSI events. The ISSI Carnevale, which has been held annually for the past two decades, will occur this spring.

“I’m hoping to get the word out early,” Subramanian said.