The Muhlenberg Weekly

Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: Life!

This past Saturday night was eventful in Seegers Union: it was Falafel Night in General's Quarters. All week students commented on the posters hanging outside the dining halls, "What's a falafel?" Some people disregarded the signs and continued on to their local nightlife destinations, some didn't notice the posters, but many students were intrigued enough to find out what it was all about.

For those of you who don't know, falafel, or "falaafil" in Arabic, is a Middle-Eastern dish of fried chick peas served in balls or wrapped in a pita. The pitas in GQ also had veggie toppings like lettuce, beets and peppers. The ladies who made these swipeable sandwiches were dressed in their traditional Arabic robes complete with sashes, scarves and bangles.

To add to the Arabian feeling of the night, a band was situated at the entrance to the GQ from 10 p.m.-1a.m. The authentic music gave the place a Moroccan feel. Arabic music is also the foundation for flamenco, a traditional dance popular in Spain and specifically in Sevilla.

The sounds of the electric violin, keyboard and drum filled Seegers as people started to meander in to see what was going on. It was then that Sheyam, a Sodexho employee and the wonderful woman who put this whole event together, stopped making falafel long enough to bring out her Arabic finger-cymbals, ancestor to the Spanish castanets, and started to dance. Students began to clap excitedly as she twirled to the music, and little by little, some people joined her. In a matter of moments, the GQ was a giant fiesta of music and laughter.

The party went on well into the night until Rudy, the main instrumentalist, changed his plans and stayed until 3 a.m. to offer his musical talents.

Being a musician himself, Matt Balaban '10 stated, "Now he's a musician! I was told that he was blinded in the war in Lebanon," Balaban continued, referring to Rudy's devotion.

After the event came to a close, Sheyam announced to those still in GQ enjoying their late-night falafel, that in order to do this again and to bring Rudy back, it's up to us to spread the word and get support.

Sheyam has been trying to put nights like this into action for about three years now.

"I have so many ideas up here." Sheyam exclaimed, pointing to her head, "I would love to do this every month, with a different theme and different food and music."

It's important for students to be able to experience different cultures and experience diversity on campus.

"It's something for the students to do on campus," Sheyam mentioned simply. But it's more than that, really. People who work in GQ had a great time, the students had fun as well. So, why not do this every month?

On behalf of the students at the College, we hope Sheyam's ideas can become a reality and that there can be more nights in which the students can expose themselves to the traditions of various cultures.

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