UK Cultural Diversity Festival, February - April

Feb. 28
Performance by Umdabu Dance Company of South Africa

7:00-8:30 PM - Memorial Hall
This Company performs a variety of authentic dances from Zulu and other indigenous cultures of South Africa. Their performances have been described and "breath-taking in their exhilaration and excitement".
Admission: Free

March 2
11:00AM - 1:30PM - Student Center Grand Ballroom
Visit the Student Center on March 2 to sample an array of foods from around the world. There will also be performances throughout the event. While you are there, shop for unique jewelry, home decor, and gifts from Ten Thousand Villages, a fair trade vendor.
There will also be a silent auction that will benefit the President's Scholarship Initiative.
Long-sleeve t-shirts will be given away to the first 150 students in attendance!

Admission: Food tickets are $1 each or 7 for $5
Sponsor: Cultural Diversity Festival

March 8
French Caribbean Dance Workshop
6:00-7:00 PM - Room 308, Commons Building
March 8 is Mardi Gras. Then come and join us to learn how to dance French Caribbean style! A French Caribbean dance workshop will present the intricacies of French and Francophone cultures. You will discover Martinican traditional dance and music, which were invented on slave plantations. You will also learn how these traditions still impact French Caribbean dance and music today. Finally, you will learn a dance routine and perform it. Bring comfortable clothes (for women, during the traditional section of the workshop: a wide and long skirt, a shawl or a square piece of fabric will be useful but is not necessary)

Admission: Free

March 9-10
Symposium on Affrilachia
All Day - Student Center
The symposium is being held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Frank X Walker's coining of the term "Affrilachia," and will feature a theater performance by Kathy Y. Wilson, "Your Negro Tour Guide," and a musical performance by the Carolina Chocolate Drops (performance in Cat's Den). Various panels and discussions will include topics on August Wilson, Nina Simone, Affrilachian identity, environmental racism, visual art and urban Appalachia. In honor of their 20th anniversary, the Affrilachian poets will offer an evening reading.

Admission: $35 (includes all symposium events)

March 19
Traditional Belly Dance Workshop: Back to the Basics
1:30-3:30 PM - Jefferson Fitness Club - Nawaar Middle Eastern Dance Company
(508 Maryland Ave., Lexington, KY, 40508)

Learn the movements of the most ancient and poetic dance form in the world while listening to the exotic music of far off lands. It is not just a dance of the belly, but of the whole body from head to toe, using natural movements and the innate grace and sensuality hidden within us all.

These classes are designed to be a non competitive environment where we can improve health, body image, and creativity. All students get a thorough and safe workout while achieving tone, balance, strength, and posture awareness…as well as adding self confidence and empowerment. All ages and body types can belly dance. Everyone is welcome regardless of color, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Admission: $10 in advance, $15 at the door

April 1
7:00PM - Lyric Theater, 300 E Third Street
The Cultural Diversity Festival presents a night of multi-culturals acts from the Lexington community. This night will include performances that showcase the diverse nature of our world, including a peformance by JJ Kent, a renowned presentor on Native American history and culture will also perform on his authentic flute.

Admission: Free

These are just a sample of all the UK Cultural Diversity Festival has to offer, check out .http://www.uky.edu/DiversityFestival/index.html.