Showcase to highlight various cultures
On Saturday, October 2, the City of Lexington Parks and Recreation Department will host the Multicultural Showcase from 12:00p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Breeden Insurance Ampitheater located at 333 S. Main St. Lexington. Davidson Local asked Parks and Recreation Director Laura Duran questions about the event.
What is the Multicultural Showcase?
The Multicultural Showcase is modified version of our traditional Multicultural Festival. With COVID19 canceling the 2020 event, we postponed the 2021 event until October 2 and temporarily modified it into a performance based event to showcase various aspects of different cultures. We wanted to make sure we could plan an event that would provide an outlet to celebrate the diverse cultures of our community, but in a manner that could be adapted to comply with COVID19 restrictions that might be in place at the time of the event, rather than canceling it.
What will take place at the showcase?
There will be performers of various cultures performing in dance, music, storytelling, or other performing art. There will also be some artwork displayed to represent various aspects of different cultures and heritages.
Who are some of the performers and storytellers that will be present?
Digeridoo Down Under, Life As Art Procution (African American Story Telling), Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, Cambodian Cultural Dance, Native American Story Telling, Sojourner Truth Reading, and Triad Chinese Qipoa Association
What kind of cultural craft kits will be available for children?
There will be craft kits for the children to take with them to their seats or home to complete. Each kit will have a 2-3 culturally influenced activities.
Will the performances be representative of the five villages from previous years?
The performers are generally representative of the villages, as that was our goal, however there are several groups that had other obligations and many are still not practicing or performing due to being cautions with COVID19.
Do you have a schedule of events for the day?
12:00pm Erika Reynolds, American Indian Presentation
12:30pm – 12:45pm Sojourner Truth Monologue
1:00pm – 1:15pm Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano
1:45pm – 2:15pm Didgeridoo Down Under
2:30pm – 3:00pm Life as Art Production
3:00pm – 3:15pm Cambodian Khmer Dance
3:30pm – 3:45pm Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano
3:45pm – 4:00pm Sojourner Truth Monologue & Fredrick Douglas Monologue
12pm – 4pm Roving cultural representation (Sojourner Truth, Fredrick Douglas, Queen Elizabeth, Royal Guard and Khmer Dancer)
What food trucks will be in attendance?
Lobster Dogs, Sunset Slush, Yummy Botana
Will there be any COVID-19 protocols in place?
The nature of this event being performance based, attendees will be naturally distanced at their seats to watch the performances.
What should attendees expect from the showcase?
It is a chance for attendees to experience several different cultures through live performance in a short amount of time. We hope that they come away with an appreciation for another culture, a sense of enrichment from attending, and that it piques interest in learning about the heritage and cultural backgrounds of others.
How is this different from the festival?
This will be performances on one stage. There will be no cultural booths or displays to move about and see, other than some cultural art on display. The goal of this event is to provide a cultural experience in a fixed location to reduce mingling among those outside of your household as to mitigate the spread of COVID19.
