Students who can’t wait until the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31 will have the chance to celebrate the end of 1999 at the Millennium Year of the Dragon dance party this Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the lower level lounge of the Busch Memorial Center.

The event-hosted by the Asian Student Coalition, the Japanese Student Association, the Korean Student Association, the Filipino Student Association and the International Student Federation-will feature an Oriental theme reflecting the theme of the dragon, the Chinese zodiac symbol for the year 2000.

Ayako Nakayama, president of JSA, said that the idea of a multicultural event seemed appropriate. “We haven’t had a multicultural event in the past two years. We needed something to revive it,” Nakayama said.

The dance party will feature a variety of music ranging from techno to hip-hop to r&b. Keeping in mind the event’s theme, FSA president Vincent Zata said the atmosphere will have a “definite Oriental feel” with decorations including origami, pictures of dragons and clips of Bruce Lee movies playing in the background.

“[The dance will] unite these five groups and teach us how to work together, provide the university with entertainment and promote cultural diversity to all students on campus,” Zata stated.

Year of the Dragon is the first event sponsored by all five organizations.

“We got a lot of positive responses from not only students here, but some from UMSL and Washington University,” Nakayama said.

Tickets are $5 and are available in the Office of Student Life in BMC room 300. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $8. Refreshments will be sold, including alcohol for anyone with proper identification, and fortune cookies will be served.

Zata said that the proceeds from the dance party will help fund future cultural events, such as the cultural show set for next semester.