Students who ventured into the Shapiro Atrium Wednesday night found an escape from midterms with the sights, sounds and tastes of this fall's Arab cultural event, "Layaleena." The event, coordinated by the Arab Culture Club, Brandeis Pluralism Alliance and Student Production Services and organized by Farrah Bdour '07 and Jimmy Kamel '07, featured the many flavors of Arab culture including belly-dancing performances, atmospheric music, drummers and, of course, savory falafel sandwiches and hummus that made students drool. To distract the audience from its grumbling tummies, the event began with vibrant performances by the members of the belly-dance classes and ensembles on campus. One group playfully clapped zills (hand cymbals) as its colorfully clad bodies swayed to the rhythm of sharp drum beats, while another featured an enchanting, wavy tone before dispersing into the crowd to encourage audience participation.

After a break for food, the performances continued with an elegant veil dance choreographed by sophomores Amanda Sherman, Eva Cassedy and Lisa Magid, sultry solo belly-dances by MaryCate Brower '10, Alana Gorman-Knutsun '08 and Mieke Windecker '07, and an impressive drum performance on the tableh (hand drum) and daff (tambourine).

As the event approached midnight, performers and audience members engaged in a unifying circle dance that left everyone in high spirits to accompany their satisfied stomachs.

This informal cultural event brought around 350 attendees who voiced enthusiastic responses at the end. Coordinator Farrah Bdour said the Arab Culture Club may consider putting on another, similar event next semester. While the bigger club events usually occur onstage in the Levin Ballroom, Layaleena made the vast space between computer clusters and Java City a cultural Mecca.