Harford Community College to Present Kaleidoscope of Cultures on Nov. 20

From Harford Community College:

Join Harford Community College at Kaleidoscope of Cultures on Thursday, November 20, from 6 to 8 PM in the Chesapeake Theater to celebrate International Education Week 2014. This event, designed to broaden participants’ global perspective, will feature outstanding performances by culturally diverse artists with free, interactive workshops led by the performers.

This year’s Kaleidoscope features brief performances from the Philippines, Sankofa Dance Theater of Africa, and Barynya Russian Dancers from 6 to 7 PM. From 7 to 8 PM, audience members are encouraged to join the performers in interactive workshops to learn more about their music, dance, and costumes.

Filipino American Association of Upper Chesapeake was founded in 1986 to promote and share the Philippine culture with the community while also promoting camaraderie among its members. Their cultural dance group will perform several traditional dances. Maglalatik is a street gang dance where two groups of dancers display their skills in clicking the coconut shells strapped to their bodies in a rhythmic manner often times teasing and provoking physical contact. It is quite playful and could be acrobatic, but never violent. Sayaw Sa Bangko is originally performed by the newlyweds during the reception, but has become a favorite at other events. Benches are incorporated into the dance that require balancing skills, adding thrills and complexity to the performance. Bulaklakan is a pilgrimage dance in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Young girls carry flowers and dance rhythmically while processing on the streets.

Sankofa Dance Theatre is a national nonprofit arts organization presenting world-class, authentic African art in the form of dance, music, and folkways. The word “Sankofa” means to learn from the past in an effort to build for the future. Village Dance will perform traditional dances. Sankofa reaches back into the rich legacy of African culture and history to move forward into greater awareness for the community at large. Traditionally, African art forms are woven into the fabric of day-to-day life. Dance is a big part of the history of life in an African village. The theme for this presentation is “the reasons why we dance.” It paints a picture of the West African culture against a colorful backdrop of traditional African music, song, and dance.

Barynya are classically trained musicians and vibrant dancers who bring the rich traditions and culture of Russia alive with uplifting music, exhilarating dance, brilliant costumes, comedy, and interaction. Theatrical renditions of ancient and modern traditions are performed including the traditional Russian wedding, a two-day celebration that is much different from what most people in the U.S. are used to. The mission of these musicians and dancers is to preserve the pre-revolution Russian culture by exposing audience members to many traditions that they have never heard of before.

Kaleidoscope of Cultures is part of HCC’s celebration of International Education Week, a joint initiative of the US Departments of State and Education to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. Each November, Harford Community College joins institutions from over 100 countries around the world in celebrating International Education Week. This annual initiative, first held in 2000, aims to promote international understanding and build support for international educational exchange by encouraging the development of programs that prepare Americans to live and work in a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study in the United States. Learn more about International Education Week at http://eca.state.gov/programs-initiatives/international-education-week/

Tickets for Kaleidoscope of Cultures are $3 for adults, free with a valid HCC ID or anyone under age 18. Tickets are available at tickets.harford.edu, 443-412-2211, or at the door. Proceeds benefit the HCC Foundation, Inc. Scholarship for International Students. For additional information, contact Stephanie Hallock at 443-412-2262.

Reasonable accommodations for a documented disability may be requested by calling Disability Support Services, 443-412-2402, in advance of participation. A minimum notice of 10 working days may be needed to provide some accommodations.

Below: Sankofa Dance Theatre is a national nonprofit arts organization presenting world-class, authentic African art in the form of dance, music, and folkways.