In the late 1960s coffeehouses beckoned people to come forward and express themselves -- and on Friday night representatives from nine international groups did just that.

At the 17th Annual International Coffeehouse in 102 Kern, performers danced and sang cultural songs to show their emotions about their cultures. The Coffeehouse enabled international students to share their cultures with other people through the performing arts, Coffeehouse Coordinator Clive Muir said.

Becky Peretz, of the Penn State Israeli Society, danced to "Shalom," or peace.

"It's a nice way to say we are on the map and to release our emotions," she said.

Peretz, who teaches the new physical education class Israeli Folk Dance, said she thought about all Israelis during the event -- especially her Israeli relatives.

But Warren Wood, an Israeli Society member and also one of the dancers, said Israel and the gulf war were far from his mind. He said he focuses on his dancing instead.

"I like dancing because it is a harmonious experience," Wood said. "And it's a lot of fun."

Stan Shepherd, representing the Caribbean Students Association, encouraged audience participation with his medley of folk songs from Jamaica and Trinidad, including "Nobody's Business (But My Own)," "The Banana Boat Song" and "The Redhead." But Shepherd emphasized the songs' music rather than understanding the words.

"If you don't get the language," he said, "you get the rhythm."

The audience reciprocated by singing in harmony the refrain of the "Chi Chi Bird."

"It's spontaneous," Shepherd said. "The music brings people together to entertain them."

One Caribbean Students Association member played music on a steel pan drum with an uncommon concave top.

The first group of the night, the Conversants -- an intercultural mix of Swiss, German, Japanese and American students -- sang pop tunes such as "Open Arms" and "Heaven." The group sang in their common language -- English.

"American songs sound good from people of other cultures," said Conversant member Rich Tito.

The Thai Students Association presented the Ramsern dance in which men and women separated into two lines and imitated motions of working in fields.

TSA members also introduced Thai classical music which involved a percussion instrument called a Kim and a violin and voice accompaniment. In the third part of their act, both dancers and band performed a circle dance -- a traditional dance from central Thailand.

Coming to his first Coffeehouse, Lock Haven University student Jay Kumar said, "This is the only program in which international -- not just American students -- have the chance to come together and see other diverse cultures."

Other performing groups included the Indonesian Student Association, Friends of India, Penn State Filipino Association and the Hellenic Society.