SAWA presents 10th annual hair show this Friday

Student Alliance for the Welfare of Africa (SAWA) is presenting their 10th annual hair show, entitled “Hair It Goes: 2016” this Friday, which will present 50 different models featuring hair, outfits and makeup.

Nicole Sarr, president of SAWA, said that this year’s show has been in progress since last October. To start the process, SAWA holds model calls for four days and students from all over Rhode Island to try out. After deliberation, the executive board chose 50 models from schools including the University of Rhode Island, Providence College, Rhode Island Community college and various others. The executive board chose people who have been through the process before, but also new models who they could work with, Sarr explained.
After choosing the models, practices begin and the board separates the models into different scenes of the show based on their character, personality, look and walk. Throughout the next six months, the organization practices scenes and closer to the show, they gather the necessary makeup, hair and assistance for the performance.

This year’s theme is a timeline of the world, Sarr said. She explained how the scenes will vary from the beginning of time to present day, in terms of empowerment. The 2016 show will be different from previous years because this year the host is more local, there are less performers to save time and the script of the show is different. Performers include Peter Bruh & ATM, Annysingle and music by DJ Eazy.

Originally, the show started in 2007 by URI alum Michelle Wright, who entrusted the members of SAWA with the show after graduating. Since then, Sarr said the club has found their own meaning behind the show. She explained that hair is really important in African culture and is “one of the things you take care of the most and do really creative things with.”  

“For us, it’s more like your own crown and how it makes you unique as an individual,” Sarr said. “So we try to showcase this in the show with every model.” To keep the African culture alive, SAWA uses African fabric, music, hair, clothes, shoes and jewelry.

Sarr said that this year is the most amount of models the show has ever had, and all of the models in the show are from different backgrounds and parts of the world.

“You’re going to see girls from different countries, different sizes, different shapes and different hairstyles,” Sarr said. “Diversity will show. We always keep in mind how much diversity is important on this campus and to us, so we try to incorporate that into the show.”

This year is not only the 10th anniversary, but it is also the most expensive show throughout the past few years, Sarr said. She hopes that people will come out to see all of the artists and support SAWA, the cause, and the models who have been practicing for half a year.

Hair It Goes: 2016 will take place this Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Memorial Union Ram’s Den. Seating is first come first serve. Tickets are $7 for URI students, $10 for general public and $20 for VIP seating. Donations will be accepted the night of the show for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to aid in the fight against pediatric cancer.