The Multicultural Club, Student Government Association, faculty and staff at Chattanooga State Community College will sponsor an international festival at the Amphitheater on April 21 from 10 - 4 p.m. The theme of the event is “Around the World in One Day.”

Mirtha Jones, coordinator for Hispanic Outreach and faculty advisor to the Multicultural Club, says, “The purpose of the festival is to bring the world to students at Chattanooga State. We also want to showcase and promote the rich diversity of culture at the College.”

The international festival will feature a full day of activities that feature everything from performances to art exhibits to food tasting. Dr. Scott Douglass is scheduled to begin the day with a performance on the Scottish bagpipes. Other entertainers include Kofi and Rebecca Mawuko, African drums and dancing; Jamie Russell of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Native American flute music; Denis Kiely, American Music; Lauryn Peterson, belly dancing and Carlos Colón and his Tropical Swing Band, Caribbean music and Salsa dancing. Additional performers include, Antonio Rodriguez and a professional group of Mexican dancers sponsored by the Institute of Mexico and Mexican Consulate in Atlanta. A representative from the Mexican Consulate will be at the festival to provide information about services available at the consulate.

When asked why the Multicultural Club took on the monumental task of planning an international festival, Multicultural Club president Arianna Busbee said, “As a student, I feel diversity is one of the major components of the college experience. The Multicultural Club strives to bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding about the cultures of our international students and faculty members to our campus.”

Chattanooga State’s Kolwyck Library plans a display of books and information about countries and cultures from around the world. Alejandro Hernandez will exhibit Contemporary Mexican drawings. Ena Haven will showcase tropical paintings from Cuba.

Display tables highlighting artifacts, foods and cultural information from various countries in South American, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean and others are also planned.

Chris Willis, assistant professor of Media Technologies, and some of his students will screen a series of interviews with faculty and students who have immigrated to the United States from other parts of the world. Interviewees include Stuart Hilton, Great Britain; Camilo Singgo, Philippines; Ankit Patel, India; Luminita Mircea, Romania; Rinko Kishimoto, Japan; Dr. Mosunmola George-Taylor, Africa; Mirtha Jones, Cuba; and Sol Rodriguez, Puerto Rico. The project is on going. Mr. Willis and his students plan to interview even more individuals before the project is complete.

Several local restaurants that specialize in ethnic cuisine will provide portions for tasting. These establishments include the Sitar Indian Restaurant, El Meson Restaurante Mexicano, Machu Pichu Peruvian Restaurant, Sweet Basil Thai Restaurant, China Moon Restaurant and the Acropolis Greek Restaurant.

According to Mary Knaff, director of Multicultural and International Student Services, “This is an immense opportunity for student organizations to collaborate in this endeavor with faculty and staff on our campus as well as community partners. This event exhibits for our students that being a good global citizen is the order of the day.”

Performances: 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. – Dr. Scott Douglass – Scottish bagpipe songs

10:15 – 11:00 a.m. – Kofi and Rebecca Mawuko – African drum and dance

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Jamie Russell, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma –Native American Flute Music

11:30 – 11:45 a.m. - Denis Kiely – Americana Music

11:45 – 12:00 p.m. – Lauryn Peterson -- Belly Dancer

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Antonio Rodriguez and Mexican dancers from Atlanta

1:00 – 2:00 pm - Carlos Colón and his Tropical Swing Band – Caribbean Music

2:00 – 3:00 pm – Carlos Colón and band – Salsa dancing lessons