This blog post contains events from April 2026, which include the Center's "tiny desk" inspired kickoff to the concert series "Songs of Survivance: Notes in Olas Ki" with Grammy-nominated artist Mega Ran, "Country Karaoke" night, Mr. and Ms. Indigenous ASU Reception, a Lei making workshop, Lofi Study Night with DJ Reflekshin, and two finals study nights to finish the spring semester.
Songs of Survivance: Notes in Olas Ki
April 8, 2026
The Labriola Center kickstarted their "tiny desk" inspired concert series with Grammy-nominated artist Mega Ran. Read about the event here.
Country Karaoke Night
Thursday, April 9
"Country Karaoke Night was a great success! After hosting our first karaoke night last semester we decided to put on a themed one this semester! I was so happy with the turnout and so impressed by everyone’s attire and dedication to the theme. Mya and I put a lot of effort into our decorations to make it feel like a country joint. We handmade decorations for our photo booth, which was a great hit, and made a polaroid station for everyone to take photos and decorate them! In comparison to last semester, this session was more chill and relaxed but had a country feel to it. The number of people that signed up to sing was amazing! It was so nice to see everyone get out of their comfort zone and have a turn at the mic. I can’t wait for our next karaoke night!"
-Written by Talia Porras
"Karaoke night was so much fun! This was Talia's and I’s second time collaborating on Karaoke night. We decided on a country theme. Talia and I had both dressed up in country themed outfits. I was so happy to see some other students dress up all well with their boots and hats. Some of my favorite songs performed that night were (ADD). We had also created a photobooth that was a hit! We had provided polaroids with film along with markers and stickers to decorate them with. At the end of the night we gave out small trophy awards with students' names on them. Overall it was a great night filled with song, laughter and good memories."
-Written by Myacedes Miller
Ms. and Mr. Indigenous ASU Reception
Saturday, April 11
As a thank you, Ms. and Mr. Indigenous ASU hosted a reception at Hayden Library, 236 on Saturday, April 11. Ms. Indigenous ASU Tonana Ben is graduating from ASU with a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Sciences. She wanted to express her gratitude from all the help she received from her cohort, family, friends, and mentors at ASU. At the end of the reception, Tonana presented the Labriola Center staff with a sash as a thank you for the support and flexibility in her role as a student and Ms. Indigenous ASU.
Lei Making Workshop
Wednesday, April 15
During Indigenous Culture Week, Library Aide Mafi Pamaka hosted a Lei Making Workshop with Instructor Celina Garza (Native Hawaiian) who taught participants how to make a Lei using Tii leaves from Hawaii. This traditional plant has been used for centuries for spiritual and medicinal purposes, especially when someone is being honored for a transitional period in their life, such as graduation or a wedding. Ti leaves have a distinct dewy smell and become sticky when worked with. The stickiness aids in twisting the leaves and keeping the shape of the Lei. Lei is a beautiful and thoughtful process, and because of its physical and mental labor, the maker of Lei must ensure they are in a spiritually stable heart space.
"The lei making workshop was such an interesting and enriching experience and I am so grateful I was able to participate! Mafi did a wonderful job organizing this event and executed it perfectly. It was so nice to hear about the cultural significance of making a lei and what it means when you give it to a loved one as congratulations for some big milestone. It was tricky at first but after practicing a little bit more I was able to get a grasp on how to make them. I love how unique each lei is and how there are so many different possibilities when it comes to making them. We were even able to take some Ti leaves home to keep practicing and making them for our loved ones. Overall, this event was so much fun and I had a great time!"
-Written by Talia Porras
Kinder Celebration at the Kerr Center for Agriscience
Wednesday, April 29
The Labriola Center was invited to participate in celebrating kindergarteners' first year in school before entering into elementary grade at the Kerr Center for Agriscience in Mesa, Arizona. Library Aides Colton Jim and Myacedes Miller joined Program Coordinator Yitazba Largo-Anderson to table after the celebration.
Lofi Study Night
Thursday, April 30
To support our research services for Indigenous students and scholars, the Labriola Center hosted DJ Reflekshin to lead the Lofi Study Night. Our spring semester ended with calm and clarity and good company!
Thank you for reading! Stay tuned for summer and fall 2026 by checking our events on our events webpage, Instagram, and Sun Devil Central. Want to learn more about the Labriola Center? Check out our previous blog posts!