Free event open to the public includes cultural exhibits, food and entertainment
SPRINGFIELD — At its 11th annual Multicultural Fest, Lincoln Land Community College invites the public to enjoy a vibrant celebration of the many cultures in the world. The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1 outside the A. Lincoln Commons on the Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road.
The annual Fest showcases cultural traditionsfrom around the world and within the United States. Entertainment, samples of ethnic food and cultural exhibits will be featured at the free event.
Entertainment will take place throughout the event with a variety of dance and music styles. “Calabash: Bashing, Mashing, Shredding, Mixing — A Repurposed and Recycled Explosive Musical Ride” is the leading act. This high-energy show uses repurposed items from 30- and 50-gallon barrels to pipes that were used for natural gas to tubs that were used for different powders.
The Fest entertainment schedule includes:
- 10:30-10:55 a.m.: Achill Academy of Irish Dance
- 11-11:20 a.m.: Calabash
- 11:25 a.m.-12:10 p.m.: Kenny Humble Trio
- 12:15-12:45 p.m.: LLCC Choir
- 12:50-1 p.m.: Lotus Fire Belly Dance Troupe
- 4-5 p.m.: Michael “Pure Heart” Hart, African banjo
- 5:05-5:25 p.m.: Tom Irwin and Theresa O’Hare—Sangamon Songs
- 5:30-6 p.m.: Springfield International Folk Dancers
Local restaurants will be offering free food samples at the event. AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill, Clay’s Popeye’s Bar-B-Q, Gateway to India, Happy Sushi, Holy Land Diner and Hunan Chinese Restaurant Restaurants will be participating from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill and Holy Land Diner will be participating from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Dank German Club, Designer Images, LLCC Center for Academic Success, LLCC Student Government Association, LLCC Veterans Club, LLCC’s Green Center, Sister Cities Association, Spiritualism, Springfield Baha’i Communities, Springfield Commission on International Visitors and St. Anthony Orthodox Church-Greece are among the many exhibitors and cultures participating.
In addition to the festivities taking place on the Springfield campus, LLCC’s Litchfield, Taylorville, Beardstown and Jacksonville locations will celebrate with the following activities:
LLCC-Jacksonville, 32 N. Central Park Plaza
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Speaker Terry Ransom will present on the Underground Railroad.
12-1 p.m.: Blues/Jazz musician Robert Sampson will perform and there will be origami, Spanish flower and paper-fan demonstrations and crafts. Free food from local area restaurants will be served.
LLCC-Litchfield, 1 Lincoln Land Drive
12-1 p.m.: The PBS documentary video titled the “The Persuaders” will be shown in classroom A102. In “The Persuaders,” FRONTLINE explores how the cultures of marketing and advertising have influenced not only what Americans buy, but also how they view themselves and the world around them. While viewing the video, students will have a lunch consisting of a variety of ethnic foods.
LLCC-Taylorville, 800 S. Spresser
12-1 p.m.: The PBS documentary video titled the “The Persuaders” will be shown in classroom 1120. In the documentary, FRONTLINE explores how the cultures of marketing and advertising have influenced not only what Americans buy, but also how they view themselves and the world around them. While viewing the video, students will have a lunch consisting of Albanian, Italian, Chinese and Mexican cuisines.
LLCC-Beardstown, 109 White Pine Lane
All Day: Various cultural awareness activities
12-1 p.m.: World Meal (pot luck featuring dishes from around the world)
1 p.m.: Native dress contest
The Multicultural Fest is sponsored by the LLCC Student Life Office and the L. Philip and Mary Kathryn Trutter Museum.