From ukulele and Bollywood, to K-Pop and breakdance, students made their way into the small gym on Friday, Dec. 13 for the first ever Winter Club Showcase. Ending an eventful week, the talents of Westwood’s many performance clubs served as the perfect de-stresser before Finals week. 

Opening the show was K-Pop whose performance of Adios by Everglow combined technically difficult and demanding dance moves with charisma and charm. They would later go on to entertain the audience with three more high-energy and captivating routines including Jopping by Super M, Lalalay by Sunmi, and Mamamoo’s Hip. 

“It was super fun working with everyone and choosing the songs,” Claire Johnson ‘22 said. “The way we prepare is that we choose a song, hold auditions, then spend a week or two setting formations and cleaning it to make sure people are doing moves correctly and together.” 

As a true celebration and attest to the diversity and sheer talent among the student body, Westwood Nasha (Bollywood Club) treated students to a lively and exciting tribute to Indian culture during their debut performance to a medley of both traditional and popular TikTok numbers, including Lahore by Guru Randhawa, No Idea by Don Toliver, and American Boy (Frank Ocean, Shibuya Chanel Remix). With less than 48 hours to prepare and rehearse their routine, club members managed to pull off an impressive performance that blew the audience away. 

“We all really supported each other because it was a tight deadline, but it was a lot of fun. I’m really excited to perform more and just get out there and become a lot more known as a club,” Aakanksha Mahajan ‘23 said. 

Supported by a blend of delicate ukulele chords, UkuleYAY club shone, where Jinx Wiener ‘21 performed two heartfelt solos, including classic Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations and Can’t Help Falling In Love by Haley Reinhart. Afterwards, club members performed a sparkling rendition of Jingle Bells, urging the crowd to sing along. 

“[My hopes for ukulele club] are that we’ll get to keep playing together and we’ll have hopefully more people following this event that will come and have fun and learn ukulele,” Sho Humphries ‘21 said. “I’ve had people come to the club and learn how to play a song in fifteen minutes, so everyone can enjoy it.” 

Breakdance Club then displayed their talents through a complex, fun-filled, and upbeat routine to Todrick Hall’s Attention, enlivening the bleachers with enthusiasm as students showed their support. 

“It’s very fun to choreograph with my friends and I, with my club. They listen to me if I have a problem, they teach me if I’m struggling with a certain dance, and they’re very supportive, always,” Basma Al-Lami ‘20 said. 

Closing out the showcase was Westwood Audacity, a new choir club, which performed White Winter Hymnal, an incredibly intricate and layered melody which featured synchronized and smoothly interwoven hand and foot movements such as finger snaps, claps, and stomping of feet.

“This whole event was thought out by students, planned by students, and done completely by students. The performances, all of them were incredible. I get almost choked up, because the students are so talented. I almost don’t have words to describe how cool that was,” Principal Dr. Mario Acosta said.