HLUB to host 2nd annual dance

Greysolon in Duluth will be transformed into a roaring ‘20’s party Saturday Night (April 20) as the UMD HLUB Club (Hmong Living In Unity and Balance) is set to hold their second annual dance. The dance was a success last year and the club hopes to continue the event in the future as a way to create a tradition for the club and as a fundraiser.

HLUB President Pajchia Vang. Photo courtesy of Pajchia Vang

“The idea behind the dance is to bring our members, as well as the UMD community, together for a night of fun and de-stressing from schoolwork,” Pajchia Vang, President of HLUB, said. Hlub means ‘love’ in Hmong and Vang notes that is very fitting and a big part of why HLUB is so welcoming and inviting to all. The dance is available to all UMD students who are interested in attending.

“It is also a way for the board to give back to everyone for their continuous support for HLUB over the years,” Vang said.

The HLUB Club began at UMD in 2014 and became an official club in summer 2015.  Currently the group boasts about 55 active members. The club is located within the Multicultural Center. Vang cited that being in the Multicultural Center is like having a “home away from home.”

“It allows students who come from diverse backgrounds and are attending school away from home to come and be themselves with individuals who are just like them,” Vang said.

HLUB members at a past event. Photo courtesy of Pajchia Vang

To bring their culture into the event HLUB met with the caterer at Greysolon and will be serving some traditional Hmong dishes at the dance. One dish is chicken drummies seasoned with Hmong pepper, a dish Vang described as “simple, but savory with a huge kick.”

While the dance has the roaring ‘20’s theme Vang says attendees don’t need to dress from that time period. The dance, however, is ‘red carpet formal’ and therefore does require dress clothes.

For those unable to attend the dance HLUB puts on several events on campus throughout the year. With the academic semester winding down most of the events are ones to look forward to next school year. Their biggest event each year is Hmong Heritage Night, which centers on the Hmong culture through performances such as acting, singing or dancing. Another event they hold is a Secret War reenactment in Chester Park. A new fundraiser they began this year was a mango selling event. Students could purchase cups of sour mangos and apply either sugar or fish sauce and spice flakes.

According to the HLUB UMD page their mission is, “to help promote and maintain Hmong culture in a variety of ways on the UMD campus along with the Duluth community. HLUB would also like to help members gain a sense of awareness of current Hmong culture by learning about the traditions, the language, and to help build better communication skills along with leadership development.”

The HLUB dance will be held Saturday night, and Thursday April 18 is the final day to purchase tickets. They are $25 a piece and not sold at the door. Click here to go to the HLUB bulldog link to contact a board member if interested in purchasing a ticket.

HLUB logo. Courtesy of UMD HLUB