Volunteers Wanted
CultureFest 2003 to Celebrate Sights, Sounds of Ethnic, Regional and Cultural Diversity

CultureFest 2003 is slated for Saturday, March 8, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the Athletic and Convocation Center on the Milton campus. The multicultural festival is an all-school (K-12) event.

"We think of 'multicultural' in a very broad sense. We celebrate international culture but also regional diversity," says Christine Savini, director of diversity planning and an event organizer. "All students and their families can make a rich contribution. We want to celebrate American geographic diversity, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity," she says.

Wildest Dreams will play from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Fitzgibbons Convocation Center. In the spirit of CultureFest, band members hail from Europe, Japan, South Africa and the United States. According to the Boston Globe, "Wildest Dreams' music is an irresistible blend of driven African downbeats, rollicking calypso, roots reggae and R&B...They should definitely be seen and savored." Visit the band's web page

"This is one of the School's most exciting events," says Joyce Atkins, assistant dean for community relations and event organizer. "It's a special opportunity for students, parents, faculty and staff to learn and have fun together."

Community-building is one of the best outcomes of the event, according to Christine. "At the last CultureFest, a booth had a Japanese-born mother of a Lower School student serving dumplings," says Christine. "Beside her was an American boy who had lived in Japan with his family; he was making origami. Together, they were sharing with the community a culture that they learned to love from different perspectives."

At the last festival, in 2001, more than 150 community members contributed the day's success. This year, families are invited to contribute cultural displays, ethic or regional foods, performances related to culture or geographic region, flags or dress related to identity, arts and crafts demonstrations and more. The deadline for registering to volunteer is Friday, February 7.

Event performances are anchored by the festival's headline group, which is soon to be announced for 2003. At the last CultureFest, Sol Y Conto—a winner of the Boston Music Award for Best Latin Band-performed. Other groups and individuals connected to the Milton community joined in. Among the performances were Irish step-dancing, Korean traditional string instrument and drums, a blues performance and a traditional Chinese dance.

Student groups that have participated include Onyx, the Celtic Club, Jewish Student Union, Common Ground, French Club, Spanish Club, Middle Eastern Club and GASP (Gay and Straight People).

"This event is really our mission statement coming to life," says Christine. "Our mission focuses on learning, respect for others, diversity, and building confidence and creativity within an active learning environment."

"Most of all, it's fun, energetic, colorful-and full of wonderful sights, sounds and smells," Joyce says. "You feel like you've traveled around the world"

The celebration alternates years with the topic-based Seminar Day, which is the educational complement to the celebratory CultureFest. CultureFest is sponsored by the Diversity Planning Office, the Community Relations Office, the Student Activities Office and Common Ground, a student group dedicated to dialogue on diversity.

For additional information, contact Parents' Association volunteer Diane Pierce-Williams (617-524-4637) or Joyce Atkins (Joyce_Atkins@Milton.edu) for questions regarding booths; or Christine Savini (Christine_Savini@Milton.edu) for information on performances;

Culturefest Volunteer Form
Fair Instructions