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EXPLORE CULTURES AT HERITAGE FESTIVAL
By Stacy Jenkins
Staff writer
Farmington Observer, MI
Sept 18 2005
This week's Heritage Festival events will celebrate the many colors
that weave the fabric of the Farmington_Farmington Hills community
and the common threads that unite its residents.
The Heritage Festival, a week-long celebration with special events
happening all around the community, began six years ago as a way to
share racial and cultural backgrounds in the community.
"Just as quickly, we realized we wanted to explore not only our
differences, but our similarities as Farmington and Farmington
Hills residents," said Karen Bolsen, co-chair of the Multicultural
Multiracial Community Council.
A special new citizen swearing-in ceremony will do just that. The
annual event, which draws hundreds of new citizens, is set for 10
a.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, at the Costick Center. The ceremony includes
voter training and voter registration for new citizens.
"Most United States citizens originated from other countries or their
ancestors did, so we wanted to share that similarity as Americans,"
said Bolsen.
Heritage events
New this year will be a cultural music concert and lecture, set for
7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, at the Farmington Community Library,
32737 W. 12 Mile Road. The event will feature Ara Topouzian, who
will lecture and demonstrate Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments.
Accompanying on percussion will be Mark Sawasky. For more information
call (248) 553-0300. The event is free of charge.
A leadership luncheon and mini conference will be held 11:30 a.m. -
1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Costick Center. The event
will highlight the unveiling of a multicultural art exhibit.
New this year, a world music concert will be held 12 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Civic Theatre in downtown Farmington. It's
the first Heritage Week event to be held in the city of Farmington.
Music will include performances by Millish, a Celtic band; Eastern
Winds, Middle Eastern music; and Biakuye, African music.
The main Heritage Festival will happen from 12:30 - 5:30 p.m. on
Sunday, Sept. 25. This exciting event will take place at the Costick
Center and include many free attractions, such as cultural booths;
children's activities with crafts from around the world; ethnic food;
community booths and historical displays; ethnic music and dance
and foreign language children's book collection and distribution.
"Heritage Week is important because we honor every single heritage
from the Quakers in the Magical History Tour, which debuted with our
festival, through our history to all of the backgrounds represented
by our current residents," said Bolsen. "We have 85 languages spoken
in the homes of our current students. What a fabulous way to have
fun as we better understand each of our neighbors' backgrounds."
For more information, leave a message on the multicultural information
line at (248) 871-2512.
By Stacy Jenkins
Staff writer
Farmington Observer, MI
Sept 18 2005
This week's Heritage Festival events will celebrate the many colors
that weave the fabric of the Farmington_Farmington Hills community
and the common threads that unite its residents.
The Heritage Festival, a week-long celebration with special events
happening all around the community, began six years ago as a way to
share racial and cultural backgrounds in the community.
"Just as quickly, we realized we wanted to explore not only our
differences, but our similarities as Farmington and Farmington
Hills residents," said Karen Bolsen, co-chair of the Multicultural
Multiracial Community Council.
A special new citizen swearing-in ceremony will do just that. The
annual event, which draws hundreds of new citizens, is set for 10
a.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, at the Costick Center. The ceremony includes
voter training and voter registration for new citizens.
"Most United States citizens originated from other countries or their
ancestors did, so we wanted to share that similarity as Americans,"
said Bolsen.
Heritage events
New this year will be a cultural music concert and lecture, set for
7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, at the Farmington Community Library,
32737 W. 12 Mile Road. The event will feature Ara Topouzian, who
will lecture and demonstrate Armenian and Middle Eastern instruments.
Accompanying on percussion will be Mark Sawasky. For more information
call (248) 553-0300. The event is free of charge.
A leadership luncheon and mini conference will be held 11:30 a.m. -
1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Costick Center. The event
will highlight the unveiling of a multicultural art exhibit.
New this year, a world music concert will be held 12 - 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Civic Theatre in downtown Farmington. It's
the first Heritage Week event to be held in the city of Farmington.
Music will include performances by Millish, a Celtic band; Eastern
Winds, Middle Eastern music; and Biakuye, African music.
The main Heritage Festival will happen from 12:30 - 5:30 p.m. on
Sunday, Sept. 25. This exciting event will take place at the Costick
Center and include many free attractions, such as cultural booths;
children's activities with crafts from around the world; ethnic food;
community booths and historical displays; ethnic music and dance
and foreign language children's book collection and distribution.
"Heritage Week is important because we honor every single heritage
from the Quakers in the Magical History Tour, which debuted with our
festival, through our history to all of the backgrounds represented
by our current residents," said Bolsen. "We have 85 languages spoken
in the homes of our current students. What a fabulous way to have
fun as we better understand each of our neighbors' backgrounds."
For more information, leave a message on the multicultural information
line at (248) 871-2512.