Join us at the 7th Annual People & Culture Days Celebration 2009
Wed., Oct. 21st and Thur., Oct. 22nd at the Amphitheater on the Rocklin campus from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Have you ever tried dancing to Brazilian carnival music? Can you make a Japanese origami crane? These are just a few of the things you can participate in at the 7th annual People & Culture Days held at Sierra College on Wednesday October 21st and Thursday October 22nd at the Amphitheater on the Rocklin campus from 10 am – 2 pm. All are welcome to this free event.
Global Cultures
Come experience cultures from around the globe right here in Rocklin. There will be music and entertainment on the festival stage, international food, informational booths and posters, chalk art, dancing, an international fashion show, bilingual poetry readings, Nicaraguan pottery and much more. As Tim Haenny, Student Life Coordinator, says, “It is a wonderful celebration of the many cultures that attend Sierra College.” The event is designed to foster world peace and promote global understanding of different cultures.
Music
The stage performances are always a highlight of the event with the lively Mexican mariachi music of Los Trios Embajadores opening on Wednesday October 21st. Later in the morning, Jennifer Harpainter will share her Celtic harp music. Wednesday’s performances include the Sacramento State Latin Jazz Band. This exciting ensemble plays a wide range of Latin musical styles, including merengue, samba, cha-cha-cha, mambo, Afro-Cuban, and rumba. The afternoon will finish with students reading poetry in a variety of languages, with English summaries for those less multi-lingual. Professor emeritus and event co-founder, Joe Medeiros, will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies both days.
Capoeira
The festival stage on Thursday October 22nd will feature a taste of Brazil. At 10:00 am demonstrations of Capoeira will energize the event. Capoeira is a 400- year- old martial art that blends music, dance, singing and acrobatics to create a holistic approach to teaching self-defense. Originating in Africa, Capoeira was brought to Brazil by captured slaves from Angola. It was used by slaves in Brazil as a form of “keeping in shape” and entertainment during the very painful slavery period in that country. It is a non-contact sport; unlike other martial arts, the “players” do not touch each other. It is most popular in the northeast part of Brazil. Agua De Beber Capoeira Arts Academy of Sacramento, led by Patrick Hilligan (Contra Mestre Galego) will mesmerize us with their fluid moves and artistic self-defense.
Jazz & Fashion
The Sierra College Jazz Combo will entertain with Samba and Bosanova numbers. The line-up will showcase Greg McLaughlin on piano and flute, Sarah Cunningham singing as well as student talent on piano, bass, guitar and vocals. At noon, the local international students at the college will proudly display their traditional costumes during the annual fashion show.
Music & Poetry
The afternoon highlight will be Marquinho do Samba & Little Brasil Band, a vital source of Brazilian music in the San Francisco Bay Area, performing annually for the San Francisco Carnaval festivals. Marcos Calatayud and his brothers are also among the truest local representatives of the popular style of samba known as pagode. Originally from Goiânia, Brasil, Marcos descends from a long line of musicians and is recognized as one of the most exciting and unique performers on the cavaquinho (a small 4 stringed Brazilian guitar). The event stage will close with students reading international poetry.
Food & Posters
Surrounding the stage area both days, will be delicious international food stalls, vendors, club & organization tables and student projects. Indian samosas and other threats will be for sale on Wednesday. The French Club will have French candy and singing. The back of the cafeteria will be filled with student-created posters about cultural issues and conflicts, diversity and world sustainability.
Passport & Art
Pick up your “passport” from the “embassy” booth and look for the answers to the “visa” questions by talking with event participants and examining the posters. Come watch Sierra College artists at work on their chalk art displays. As Margaret Ramos from the EEO office remarked about last year’s chalk art, “I was impressed with how talented our Sierra College students are. Don’t miss this year!”
ESL
The English as a Second Language (ESL) students have one of the busiest areas at the event. Students from dozen of countries will be sharing displays of special treasures from their native countries, music, food, brief language lessons and demonstrations.
As People and Culture Days event organizer Sean Booth adds, “I really do love having a venue for my students to see culture first-hand through the ESL booths. I learned how to say ‘hello’ in Ukrainian last year.” All are welcome to play the ESL “Spin-To-Win” game that asks players to learn some new cultural information from others.
Chopsticks & Cranes
Other events include a chopstick welding contests and the 1000-crane project. In Japan, the beautiful origami cranes are strung together in a 1000-bird chain that offers a special wish to someone in need. This chain will eventually be donated to a children’s hospital. Come help with this wish.
More Information
For more information and the festival stage schedule, go to: http://geography.sierracollege.edu or contact Sean Booth at sbooth@sierracollege.edu. Daily parking permits can be purchased for $1 at machines located in the campus parking lots.