SAN JOSE, Calif. - Piedmont Hills High School VSA kicks off the Vietnamese culture show season rather early this year, right before the school’s Winter Break. With the holidays coming, PHHS VSA’s Dưới Khung Trời Mùa Đông Cultural Show bursted with plenty of holiday spirit. And because it is the season of giving, VSA will donate half of their proceeds to an organization that will combat human trafficking. I’ll have to admit, of all the VSA culture shows I have been to, this one certainly had some unique qualities.

The Programming

Unfortunately I missed the first 15 minutes of the show (they really started on time after all), missing the traditional lion dance that usually opens a show, as well as the singing of the national anthem, American and Vietnamese Overseas. Instead, I entered the room to the song All I Want For Christmas sung by Mariah Carey, with student performers sporting on trendy casual fashion that puts my preppy attire to shame. I remember Tiffany Võ, president of VSA, making a suggestion that I should bring out the teenager in me, so if that means wearing blue jeans more often, I suppose I should buy some more. Since photos tell more than words can ever say, I brought my camera to record the fashion show acts, so feel free to check out the slideshow in Ý Thức’s One Moment section.

Following the casual fashion show was the Ly Cây Đa Scarf Dance. When the emcee asked the audience what a Cây Đa was, one member replied “It’s a cây đa tree!” I would have answered the same thing too, since that kind of tree does not grow in the Bay Area. Guys and girls danced together for this act, which I thought was really nice because I often felt male Vietnamese in general were too cool to do scarf dances (or any other kind of Vietnamese dance for that matter).

Kristie Định performs solo to the song “Ước Gì”, soliciting some cheers from the audience for her performance and fashionable dress. The emcee, Andrew-Brian interviews her, but is unable to have her answer whether or not she is taken.

The next act is the áo dài fashion show, showcasing many different styles of the dress, including ones with high collar, low collar, sleeveless cheongsam, etc. Vovinam, the official Vietnamese martials arts, demonstrate their martial art forms and weapons, with plenty of grapples and flips. Cường Phạm sings “Trả Lại Em Yêu”, a song composed by famous Vietnamese musician Phạm Duy. Then there was the Cô Thắm Về Làng Hat Dance with four couples.

Then there was the skit, “Santa Goes Gangsta”, which is pretty self-explanatory. The skit had potential, but the execution was fraught was flaws. The actors were speaking to each other instead of yelling it to the audience, which is important for the audience to hear the dialogue. Santa Claus, after throwing away his red coat, became a skinny “S.C. version P.I.M.P.” wearing shades. I would have more easily accepted him if he still wore red, or kept the weight on.

For the final act, was a formal fashion show, the kind of dress you would wear to your Senior Ball. And finally, to top off the evening, the entire cast came on stage for caroling that all-too-familiar song, “Jingle Bells.”

I wish a happy holidays to Piedmont Hills High School Vietnamese Student Association. Your act of kindness and your committed dedication to bringing us a show this early in the season is something to always remember!

With a perspective,

Bảo Thiên Ngô 寶天吳

Photos from the Show

Final Thoughts

Alumni 

I met some Piedmont Hills alumni there, and I must confeses I am also a Pirate. I was happy to see some alumni who still care about the fledgling VSA. I learned after I graduated the Vietnamese Student Body Association – as it was then known – completely died. In Fall 2003, it was restarted under a new advisor, and that year the new VSA threw their first culture show. This year is its second annual show, and it gives me pleasure seeing the VSA thrive once again. That alumni came back to support the VSA reminded me of how important it is for a VSA to keep in touch with their alumni for guidance, financial support, and a sense of history and having roots. If they kept a mailing list of alumni, that would be very useful.

Freshman

One of the alumni told me that many of the performers are freshman, which we both agreed was a good sign of a healthy VSA. Hopefully these younger students will take on officer roles later on. We would like to see freshman in officer or organizing roles too. A student who has been in the VSA for four years knows far more than a student that has only been in it for two years.

Holiday Products

Aside from selling food, they also sold fleece blankets, which I thought was pretty unique considering that the show was held in the middle of December. Now if they sold hot chocolate, then we’re talking!