MULTICULTURAL PROGRAMS in 2010
Cultural Conversations offers a different topic of multicultural interest will be presented each month during 2010. Each program will be held on the second Thursday of the month, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm, at the Plaza Library, 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, MO.
In addition, programming in 2010 includes the unique "Table Talk" on April 25 (see below), children's programming, exhibits and Communiversity classes.
January 14: Code Words
What is a code word and is it an actual word or the context? How do we know if we are using them...or if someone else is? How do we get past the language to communication?
Join Lewis Diuguid, leading columnist and member of the Editorial Board of The Kansas City Star, as he leads a discussion of code words and brings a focus to what we really say when we talk.
Among the panelists joining Mr. Diuguid will be Mary O Halloran, appearing on Ruckus on local public television station KCPT-TV.
Monday, February 1: Talk to the World
This Communiversity class will meet at Room 147 in the University Center at UMKC. Register through Communiversity.
February 11: Cultural Journey with Michael Bradley
Michael, who lived in Japan for seventeen years and is married to a Japanese woman, will share his and his family's multicultural experiences on living in two cultures.
Tuesday, February 16: Head-to-Toe exhibit
This exhibit of headwear and footwear from different cultures opens this date and runs for two weeks at the Blue Ridge Library.
March 11 - Spring Holidays
Across the globe and through time, the spring is universally acknowledged as *beginning* and *new birth* in many cultures. A diverse panel will present the meaning and history of spring holidays and holy days, including Equinox, Naw Ruz, Passover, and Easter.
April 8: Cultural Journey with Lily Stomboly
Lily, who was born in Armenia and lived in Russia before emigrating to the United States, will share her experiences on living in such diverse cultures.
Sunday, April 25: Table Talk
A unique program of dinner and dialogue, co-sponsored with the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, brings small groups of people together in private homes throughout the city, for dinner and conversation with a trained facilitator on the topic of the impact of multicultural and interfaith diversity on our lives and our community. Participation is free and training is provided for Facilitators. Contact Shannon Clark at shannon@kcinterfaith.org between February 20 and March 20 to make reservation as Guest, Host or Facilitator.
Saturday, May 1: Benefit Bookfair
Barnes and Noble on the Plaza is again the location for a fun and fundraising experience.
May 13: Health and Healing
Pam Peck, Christian Science practitioner and At-Large Member of the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council, will lead a discussion of health and healing from a cultural perspective.
June 10: The Effect of Culture on Education
A panel of diverse educators from different teaching systems (public education, private schools, home-schooling, community education, and European educational systems) will discuss the effect of the educational system on the culture, as well as the effects of various cultures on how children learn.
July 8: All in the Family
While the family is the core of every culture, the role of the family varies from culture to culture. The cultural position of the family influences how each family member interacts with society. Panelists of different cultures and faith traditions, from urban and rural backgrounds, will provide context for the role of family.
Monday, July 26: Head-to-Toe exhibit
This exhibit of headwear and footwear from different cultures opens this date and runs for two weeks at the Excelsior Springs Library.
August 12: Reading & Rhythm
This will be a fun, family-oriented event for the end of summer with school coming soon. Reading & Rhythm is a favorite Cultural Crossroads program which includes reading multicultural stories and then teaching dances from those countries.
September 9: Talk to the World
Wondering what language to study? Get ready for a trip to different countries? All languages express the same concepts and just knowing some simple courtesy phrases can provide a bridge to people of other cultures. Experience a taste of common phrases and counting from various languages, to provide a base for further language exploration and study and to give you a comfort level in multicultural situations.
Saturday, October 3: Independence Heritage Festival
Cultural Crossroads will again host interactive programs in the children's area at this annual Independence festival.
Monday, October 11: The Other 1492
This is a tentative date for a Communiversity class which focuses on what was happening in and to other cultures during this turning-point year in history.
October 14: Observances of Death
Death is the one absolute commonality shared among cultures and observances of death and the passing of the generations hold primary importance in the calendar of most cultures. Harvest time has traditionally been the time to also mark the passage of human years and lives. Explore observances which include Halloween, Samhain (the Celtic new year), Dia de Los Muertos (the Mexican Day of the Dead), and similar observances from other cultures.
November 11: "Fremont, U.S.A."
This acclaimed movie about Fremont, California, one of the most culturally and religiously diverse towns in the country, follows the experiences of its citizens, as they learn about each other and find ways to live and grow together.
December 9: Winter Holidays
So many cultures have important holidays and holy days during this time of the year...and most of them include the concept and ritual of "light" as an integral part of the celebration.