News Release

CultureFest returns to the Homewood campus Thursday, Oct. 30, with a 17-day schedule of events to recognize and promote understanding about various cultures from around the world. Under the theme "Understand. Embrace. Celebrate.," the 17th annual student-run festival will feature a variety of events designed to encourage students to learn about the heritage of other ethnic groups, its organizers said.

"My goal is to stay true to all the different groups that are participating," said co-chair Alethea Duncan, a sophomore majoring in chemistry and Spanish. "We're really encouraging the groups to incorporate some religious and cultural aspects of their culture into their presentations." Duncan lives in Miami, but was born in Trinidad.

Said co-chair Erik Espinosa, "This year, I'd like to see more people attend the smaller, more intimate settings like round-table discussions where students can pull more out of the event." Espinosa is a junior majoring in psychology and minoring in business. He is of Cuban descent and lives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

The CultureFest committee is co-sponsoring the following events with several groups on campus. All events are free unless noted and open to students, staff and faculty. For more information, e-mail culturefest@jhu.edu or visit www.jhu.edu/culturefest.

Thursday, Oct. 30
Glass Pavilion, free dinner at 6 p.m., lecture at 6:30 p.m.
Lecture by Bonnie Oh, professor of Korean Studies at the Edmund A.Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, who will be speaking about the Japanese army's coercion of Asian women during World War II. Co-sponsored by the Inter-Asian Council.

Monday, Nov. 3
Mattin Center, Room 160, 7 p.m.
Discussion of Oh's lecture. Facilitated by Students Empowering and Educating for Diversity and co-sponsored by the Inter-Asian Council.

Thursday, Nov. 6
Glass Pavilion, noon
Opening ceremonies featuring speakers, performances by student groups and refreshments and finger foods.

Friday, Nov. 7
Mattin Center SDS Room, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m.
CultureFest Band Show featuring Coffee Grounds, Naked Jungle and misamerica, a group made up of Johns Hopkins students. Co-sponsored by Resident Advisory Board.

Saturday, Nov. 8
Shiver Hall Auditorium, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
CultureFest Show showcasing more than 15 solo and group performances by students. This perennial favorite highlights students' culturally based talents.

Sunday, Nov. 9
Arellano Theatre, AMR Multipurpose Room and McCoy
Multipurpose Room, noon to midnight
Movie Day featuring international films that spark conversation regarding politics, prejudice and culture. Discussions following each film will be facilitated by Students Empowering and Educating for Diversity. Movies include La Haine, No Man's Land and Monsoon Wedding.

Monday, Nov. 10
Levering Union, Great Hall, 7 p.m.
Sankofa African dance lessons. Co-sponsored by Black Student Union and African Student Association.

Tuesday, Nov. 11
Shriver Hall Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Indian Classical Dance Show led by Johns Hopkins senior Neena Marupudi, who will demonstrate the many types of classical dance native to India.

Wednesday, Nov. 12
Shriver Hall Auditorium, noon
Hip-Hop dance performance by New York City-based dance company Keep Rising to the Top. Co-sponsored by the Office of Special Events, the Center for Social Concern and the Office of Mulicultural Student Affairs.

Wednesday, Nov. 12
Glass Pavilion, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
The International Food Court including dishes prepared by more than 15 campus cultural and religious groups, who will also be providing their recipes. The event features steel drum performers PanMasters Steel Orchestra as well as performances by various student groups.

Thursday, Nov. 13
Glass Pavilion, 8 p.m.
Faces of the Caribbean, a beauty pageant showing how cultures can co-exist and appreciate each other. The audience will also learn about the differences between the islands of the Caribbean. Co-sponsored by the Caribbean Cultural Society.

Friday, Nov. 14
Levering Union, Great Hall, 7 p.m.
Salsa Dance Lessons including the history behind the popular style of Latin dance. Co-sponsored by la Organizaci¢n Latina Estudiantil, Johns Hopkins Latin student union.

Friday, Nov. 14
Levering Union, Great Hall and E-Level, 8:30 p.m.
Reggae concert co-sponsored by E-live.

Saturday, Nov. 15
Glass Pavilion, 6 p.m.
The closing banquet featuring authentic cultural cuisine and performances. $10 at the door.