Spring Break
Brazos Valley Worldfest to showcase heritage, diversity on two stages
By: Madiha Rizvi
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: News
The first Brazos Valley Worldfest promotes and celebrates international diversity and heritage in the Brazos Valley Saturday in historic downtown Bryan.
"This is an opportunity to learn about the heritage and diversity present here in the Brazos Valley, and to learn about the people who are students day-to-day yet have different heritages that they come from," said Kim Fox, coordinator of the Brazos Valley Worldfest.
The festival is a day of family activities with a section for children's arts and crafts and storytelling, Fox said.
"There are two stages and around 30 cultural displays and demonstrations from organizations around A&M, Blinn College, the Brazos Valley and outside the Brazos Valley," Fox said. "There are several dance groups who are going to perform. The dance groups include the Lion Dancers along with Scottish, Mexican, German, Indian and Czech dancers. Kaminari Taiko, which is a Japanese drum group from Houston, is also going to be there."
Linda Edwards, chairwoman for sponsorship and communications for the Brazos Valley Worldfest, said when she asked the international students how they felt about the event they said they wanted to share their culture with others.
"International students have the same opinions and views, but they have a certain mystery to them," Edwards said. "People should get know the international students and make the mystery [surrounding] them go away. Just because they speak another language, should not come in the way of getting to know them."
Various committees are responsible for different parts of the festival, said Hayley McCamey, a junior marketing major and the chairwoman of community display.
"There are two stages at the festival: a world stage and a community stage," McCamey said. "The world stage consists of cultural dancing and an African American tribute. The community stage will have performances with A&M belly dancers and an Indian dance group, Praakriti."
"It is an incredible experience to have this opportunity to coordinate this event," Fox said. "It is a great event to come out to and learn about the community in Brazos Valley. The interest has been overwhelming and I look forward for it to grow in the future."
The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Shuttle services are available from Blinn College and University Apartments.
Many volunteer positions are available. For information on the event or volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.brazosvalleyworldfest.org.
"This is an opportunity to learn about the heritage and diversity present here in the Brazos Valley, and to learn about the people who are students day-to-day yet have different heritages that they come from," said Kim Fox, coordinator of the Brazos Valley Worldfest.
The festival is a day of family activities with a section for children's arts and crafts and storytelling, Fox said.
"There are two stages and around 30 cultural displays and demonstrations from organizations around A&M, Blinn College, the Brazos Valley and outside the Brazos Valley," Fox said. "There are several dance groups who are going to perform. The dance groups include the Lion Dancers along with Scottish, Mexican, German, Indian and Czech dancers. Kaminari Taiko, which is a Japanese drum group from Houston, is also going to be there."
Linda Edwards, chairwoman for sponsorship and communications for the Brazos Valley Worldfest, said when she asked the international students how they felt about the event they said they wanted to share their culture with others.
"International students have the same opinions and views, but they have a certain mystery to them," Edwards said. "People should get know the international students and make the mystery [surrounding] them go away. Just because they speak another language, should not come in the way of getting to know them."
Various committees are responsible for different parts of the festival, said Hayley McCamey, a junior marketing major and the chairwoman of community display.
"There are two stages at the festival: a world stage and a community stage," McCamey said. "The world stage consists of cultural dancing and an African American tribute. The community stage will have performances with A&M belly dancers and an Indian dance group, Praakriti."
"It is an incredible experience to have this opportunity to coordinate this event," Fox said. "It is a great event to come out to and learn about the community in Brazos Valley. The interest has been overwhelming and I look forward for it to grow in the future."
The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Shuttle services are available from Blinn College and University Apartments.
Many volunteer positions are available. For information on the event or volunteer opportunities, visit http://www.brazosvalleyworldfest.org.
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