If you want to expand your cultural knowledge, the next two nights will be full of sounds and scents that will lure you in to indulge your taste buds, and colorful spectacles that will overwhelm your eyes.

Today, Fresh Foods will open at 4:30 p.m. serving a variety of international dishes including curry chicken and Asian barbecue ribs made by executive chef Gill Holts.

“He has the resources based on his experience as a chef and with different types of flavors,” said Dalla Emerson, location manager.

Emerson is hoping to see at least 800 students attend the dinner.

International Night has been a staple at Western for six years. Friday, Trinity Edwards, an evening program coordinator at Downing University Center, is anticipating a large crowd for the cultural expo on the fourth floor of DUC from 7 to 11 p.m.

The event is spread throughout two days this year so that students can get more out of it, Emerson said.

This is one of the fourth floor activity board’s biggest events, in conjunction with Housing and Residence Life, the Office of International Programs and the Campus Activities Board.

Student musician Lyndsey Whitaker is starting off Friday’s festivities with country music to represent the American culture.

Other performances range from a Japanese karate demonstration to Bluegrass music and Bollywood dance.

Friday night entails a fashion show of traditional dress from several countries, live music, booths set up by international students and finger foods.

“We picked more of a sophisticated menu for Friday night,” Edwards said about this being the first year the Restaurant and Catering Group will cater the event.

Admission is $5 with a Western ID and $7 without. The cost includes all foods and unlimited billiards and bowling.

This is Edwards’ first year being involved in the event. She said it’s one of the programs she has always heard about -there was a unique story each time.

“I hope students can get a friendship out of meeting new people,” she said.