Cultural Programs

Mini-Cultural Show

The annual Mini-Cultural Show is a great way to start off the new school year! It gives a chance for upperclassmen to reunite after a long summer apart, and also gives freshmen a chance to see what SAS and the South Asian community at Penn have to offer. This show features performances from all of the South Asian performing arts groups on campus, as well as booths that showcase the cultural, political, and religious groups affiliated with South Asia, so new students can decide which organizations they'd like to be a part of. In addition to a full South Asian dinner, this event offers everything you need to learn more about the South Asian culture at Penn.

Fall and Spring Cultural Shows

The Cultural Shows are our biggest events of the year. These shows are held in Irvine Auditorium on Penn's campus each semester, and they attract audiences of 900-1000 people from the Penn, Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey and New York areas. With over 200 performers, this event showcases South Asian talent at its best, whether it's singing, dancing, acting, or anything in between. Regardless of what talents you may have, everyone can participate in this show.

Mela

This is a giant festival celebrating South Asian culture! Held on College Green, this fair is a great way to stroll through the different interpretations of South Asian culture. This can be food, community service, performing arts, literature, clothes, artwork, and anything else you can think of! This event showcases what the different South Asian groups on campus have been doing for the year, plus offers games, food and performances for everyone to enjoy. This is a great way to spend an afternoon immersed in culture.

Movie Screenings

It's hard to stay on top of the latest Bollywood movies when you're in college - so SAS holds movie screenings throughout the year of the most popular and most acclaimed movies that deal with South Asians. These events are always a good study break with food and entertainment. If you have any suggestions for movies to be screened, please contact our VP Cultural.

Social Programs

Back to School Party

Starting a new semester can be unpleasant at best. That's why SAS figured this was the best time to throw a party! Look out for details about our bi-annual Back to School parties held in Center City every September & January to kick off a hell of a good new term.

Sibling program

As a young and innocent freshman, Penn can seem like a big and scary place. Luckily, SAS can pair you up with a Big Brother or Sister who can help you through the trials and tribulations of freshman year! Your Big Sib can help you navigate the mean streets of Locust Walk, get you into the best parties on campus, and teach you about the do’s and don’t’s of life at Penn. What's even better is that the two of you are matched with another sibling pair to make one big, happy family: two Bigs and two Littles who attend SAS and SAS-related events together to earn points. Points get you prizes and tickets; it's like Chuck E. Cheese - but better.

Sibling Program Cooking Competition

SAS also hosts events through the year to encourage families to come together. One of the main events include the Cooking Competition. Who doesn't love food? And it's even better when made by your fellow SAS members! This event brings together all members of the SAS community in a competition to see who can come up with the best dishes from various ethnic cuisines. Enter this winter cooking competition with your SAS family and learn a little more about cultural foods and about each other!

South Asia Society Semi-Formal

A night of SAS and class, our Annual Semi-Formal attracts our members in their finest formals every April. This elegant affair boasts a dessert reception and full open bar for an annual event that remains unforgettable especially for the seniors who have the honor of receiving their Senior Superlatives at Semi. Keep checking for your invitation, coming Spring 09.

Political Programs

Community Service

Lending a helping hand is something everyone loves to do, and SAS helps to promote philanthropy through various community service events. We make available once-a-month activities where you can volunteer on campus; specifically in February, we have one of our favorite events where we bring South Asian elementary and middle school children to Penn to work together with sibling program families on various South Asian oriented arts and crafts.

Be The Change Day

Be the Change Day, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world," is a national annual day of service to inspire and foster civic engagement through volunteerism. SAS organizes Penn's involvement in Be the Change Day through civic activities in inner-city Philadelphia.

Speakers

SAS is always eager to bring you the most relevant and interesting topics of our day through informative and inspiring speakers. In the past, we've brought you South Asian speakers on religious unity, the socio-political climate of South Asia, entrepreneurship, and even entertainment. For Spring 2010, SAS has been able to secure Deep Katdare from American Desi as keynote speaker for Asian Pacific American Heritage Week on campus. If you have any ideas of people you'd like to see visit Penn, please let us know!