Cultural Diversity Day Returning to U-32

U-32 sophomore Simone Labbance has been busy this spring writing a concerto, choreographing a dance and organizing the school's second annual Cultural Diversity Day scheduled for Friday. This year's celebration will include not only a full day of activities representing different countries around the world for students and staff, but also an evening line-up of events open to the public.

Beginning at 8:15 a.m. with African Drums, there will be ethnic food, music, dancing, guest speakers, a mini fashion show and art exhibits until the end of the school day. At 6 p.m., the cultural festival is open to the public and kicks off with John Mullet playing the fiddle. Evening guests will be treated to African drumming and dance, a fashion show, a Bollywood dance, face painting, ethnic foods and the Burlington-based band Guagua. The evening is free and open to the public.

Adopted from Calcutta, India when she was an infant, Labbance has spent the last few years of her life getting in touch with her Asian heritage."I really wasn't into my culture at all for the longest time," said Labbance, until she attended a Bharat Natyam dance performance and fell in love. Shortly after that performance two years ago, Labbance began taking dance lessons with one of the Bharat Natyam dancers. At 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Labbance will show her skills in the spiritual dance as a prelude to the Bollywood dance she choreographed with 12 fellow dancers.

Cultural Diversity Day was initiated by Labbance after she consulted with Cultural Links creator Carolyn Shapiro. The first year was an experiment that turned into a huge success, according to both. This year a throng of students and staff have stepped up to help. "She's really drawn in other students," said Shapiro, who noted that a Rwandan play will be performed by students during the day. "It's going to be a really engaging evening with food and dance and face painting for kids."

Several classes are scheduled to have speakers from around the globe and others are slated to make international culinary treats. "People are definitely excited, I'm really excited about the music," said Labbance, who will be performing the concerto she wrote by playing her sitar with members of the orchestra. "I read a lot about Indian music and try to listen to as much as I can and try to observe what's going on."

While discovering her own background, Labbance has exposed her school community to other cultures. This year, that invitation is going out to the central Vermont community. "The evening is just this huge cultural festival," said Labbance about the event that is scheduled to take place outside on the U-32 campus, weather dependent. If there is rain, the event will take place inside the atrium of the school.

By Sarah Hinckley Times Argus Staff - Published: May 21, 2009

Photo courtesy of http://www.timesargus.org.