Over the past few months, I have been seeing many promotional materials for “Small Island, Big Song.” Not just from the Luhrs Performing Arts Center, but professors from across several different departments have been encouraging their classes to attend the performance on Monday. 

I admittedly knew very little about the show going into it, but after experiencing “Drum Tao,” I knew that was not a bad thing. And just like “Drum Tao,” this show is excellent, filled with incredible music and a rich view of another culture.

“Small Island, Big Song” is a collection of narratives and music from across the islands of the Pacific and Indian Ocean. On top of the excellent performers on stage, you are transported to these scenic locales courtesy of large projected videos that were collected from 16 countries.

The stage was filled with too many talented musicians to list, but easily the highlights were Mathieu Joseph and Sammy Sara. Joseph displayed some of the most physically impressive performances, especially a segment I can only describe as a dance in tribute to the animals of the region.

Sara, on the other hand, delivered a very soulful performance and had some moments that got the crowd on their feet. Rightfully so, the two were given a very warm welcome from the audience at the end of the performance.

While “Drum Tao” got your blood pumping, “Small Island, Big Song” is one of the more calming and relaxed shows that I have seen at Luhrs. “Small Island, Big Song” is an absolute treat, and I hope it finds its way back to Shippensburg in the near future.

There is something great there for everyone in attendance to both learn and enjoy, as well as getting to see a small piece of a much bigger culture we do not get to see represented too heavily in most modern media.

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