SU Celebrates Multicultural Festival Week April 28-May 2

SALISBURY, MD---The Salisbury University Office of Multicultural Student Services sponsors Multicultural Festival Week Monday-Friday, April 28-May 2, at the SU campus. This year’s theme is “Taking Flight With Diversity.”

The festival opens 2 p.m. Monday, April 28, with a workshop on “Understanding Diversity-Building and Inclusive Environment” in the Worcester Room of the Commons, featuring keynote speaker Stan Johnson. A consultant and trainer, Johnson has worked with Fortune 500 companies and national non-profit organizations during the past 20 years. A certificate of participation is issued to those who attend. Space is limited. The reservation deadline is Wednesday, April 23. To RSVP call 410-543-6426.

Valerie Hue, also known by her traditional Middle Eastern stage name, Nefertiti, teaches the basics of belly dancing 5-6 p.m. in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center that evening, followed by a performance by the Damali Dance Company at 7 p.m., co-sponsored by the Office of Cultural Affairs. Exercise clothing is recommended for those planning to participate in the workshop.

Speaker Rita Campbell provides an “Introduction to Deaf Culture” 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, in the Wicomico Room. SU honors four students, faculty and staff during the 2008 Diversity Awards ceremony 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the Wicomico Room of the Guerrieri University Center.

This year’s honorees include student Jean-Claude St. Sulme Jr.; Henson School advising coordinator Marylane McGlinchey; Dr. Nomsa Geleta, Education Specialties Department chair; and Jackie Chooi-Theng Lew, Department of Music Faculty.

Baritone Reginald Pindell and mezzo-soprano Cristy Lynn Brown join SU music faculty John Wesley Wright and Danielle Cumming, and students Monica Harwood, Laurel Noone, James Burks and Zach Caceres for “Honoring the African-American Spiritual” 7:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of Holloway Hall. The performance includes an introduction by 2008 NATS Student Auditions winner and SU junior Robert Slangen and guest accompaniment by Veronica Knier.

An assortment of performers take over University Hill (beside the Guerrieri University Center) and Pergola during Multicultural Festival Day 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, May 1. Acts include Keith Marks, Steel Kings, Mystic Warriors, the SU Step Squad and Untouchables Dance, Inc. The event also features demonstrations in Tae Kwon Do, Hip-Hop air brushing, cultural demonstrations and international food samples.

University Dining Services and the Office of Cultural Affairs present a Caribbean dinner in the Commons Bistro from 5-7 that evening. Featuring the Steel Kings, the cost of the meal is $9.68 for adults, $5.95 for children ages 6-12. Children under 5 dine free. Reservations are not required.

Friday, May 2, marks SU’s Cinco de Mayo celebration from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Festivities include face painting, piñatas and soccer, accompanied by Latin and popular music. SU’s annual Relay For Life to benefit the American Cancer Society rounds out Multicultural Festival Week. Relay begins 6 p.m. at the SU intramural fields on Wayne Street, continuing until 6 a.m. Saturday, May 3.

Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Services, all events are free unless otherwise noted. For more information call 410-548-4503 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.