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Barry to host 13th annual Festival of Nations this Friday

African dance troupe, Polynesian fire performers, 11-piece Cuban ensemble among highlights at Barry University’s Festival of Nations this Friday [April 18]
More than 65 Miami-Dade elementary school children to also attend international workshop

Barry University will host its 13th annual Festival of Nations this Friday [April 18] with a full-day schedule including workshops for elementary school students, international performers, and student-run booths representing more than 16 nations.

Each of the seven continents will be represented at the annual event, which celebrates Barry University’s cultural and national diversity. With more than 370 students from 73 countries, Barry consistently ranks among top school in the Southeast for diversity.

There are several time blocks during the day that would be good for coverage:

9:00 – 11:30 a.m. International workshops for elementary school children
Landon Student Union

More than 65 local second through fifth graders will “Journey through the Nile” in workshops presented by international students. Students will learn how to make hieroglyphics, mummies and origami pyramids as part of the workshops to educate on this year’s chosen workshop country, Egypt.

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Event begins with procession, Miami Street Band and Delou African Dance
Barry Campus Mall

The outdoor festival kicks off with students processing in with flags from their respective nations, as a street band plays their blend of Afro-Cuban and Hip-Hop music. The Delou African Dance Ensemble follows directly with a traditional West African drum and dance performance in African costume.

This should also be a good time to photograph the booths, as hopefully many students, faculty and staff will be mingling during the lunch hour. The booths, representing more than 16 nations, are run by students from those countries and feature cultural food, gifts and raffles. Nations represented by students and by the booths include The Philippines, Nigeria and Brazil.

5:00 – 6:30 p.m. “Los Herederos” headline act, Polynesian fire dancers and celebrity emcee
Barry Campus Mall

For the first time, this year’s Festival of Nations will feature a headline performance, and also use a celebrity emcee. “Los Herederos” starts at 5 p.m. and is an 11-piece Afro-Cuban, interactive band. Directly following their performance, Drums of Polynesia will perform with a drum and fire show that should be a great photo-opp. All events after 4 p.m. will also feature “Giselle the Wassi One,” a celebrity emcee from Trinidad. More information on “Los Herederos” is available on its website at http://www.myspace.com/losherederos1.

If you would like a full schedule, or more details on any of the day’s event, you may contact me at any of my numbers listed below. Otherwise, your official contact will be Damaris Vasquez, director of Barry’s Inter-Cultural Center at (305) 899-3082. I will be at many of the day’s events, but please let me know if you will be attending to facilitate parking, etc. I’ve included directions below to the Barry campus mall, as well as the Landon Student Union for the morning’s events.

All the best –
--Julianna--

DIRECTIONS TO THE NORTH ENTRANCE (115TH)
FROM THE NORTH: Take I-95 south to NW 125 Street. Turn left (east) at the light onto NW 125 Street. Turn right (south) onto North Miami Avenue. Turn left (east) onto NE 115 Street and make first right into BU’s north entrance.

FROM THE SOUTH: Take I-95 north to NW 119 Street. Turn right (east) at the light onto NW 119 Street. Turn right (south) onto North Miami Avenue. Turn left (east) onto NE 115 Street and make first right into BU’s north entrance.

Our actual address is 11300 NE 2 Avenue, Miami Shores, 33161… Reserved parking for you will be through that north entrance off NE 115 Street.

DIRECTIONS TO THE LANDON STUDENT UNION:
FROM THE NORTH: Take I-95 south to NW 125 Street. Turn left (east) at the light onto NW 125 Street. Turn right (south) onto North Miami Avenue. The Landon Student Union is on the southwest corner of North Miami Avenue and NW 115th Street. Visitor parking is available on the south side of the building.

FROM THE SOUTH: Take I-95 north to NW 119 Street. Turn right (east) at the light onto NW 119 Street. Turn right (south) onto North Miami Avenue. The Landon Student Union is on the southwest corner of North Miami Avenue and NW 115th Street. Visitor parking is available on the south side of the building.