Neither a passport nor an airline ticket is required to experience the sounds, sights and flavors of many cultures.
In conjunction with First Friday
April 3, 6 to 11 p.m. downtown Silverton
Free. Silverton Together, 503-871-0405
Presented by Silverton Together, Celebrations of Cultures is 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 3 in downtown Silverton and is held in conjunction with the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday celebration.
Doreen Kelly, resource and mentor programs coordinator at Silverton Together, said this year will have the greatest participation “ever” with 28 sites for people to visit including an exhibit of Native American art, Ukrainian music and food samples, Irish dancing and music, French music and food, and Russian food and music.
Kelly said there are about 20 different musical groups, musicians and dance groups performing.
“Barrio Latino will be a featured band. They have a Caribbean /Cuban influence,” Kelly said. “They will be performing on Main Street at 8 p.m. Allison & Israel Jewelers sponsored this salsa band from Portland.”
The Salem building at the corner of Water and Main streets will be the main information site with more than 15 organizations and clubs setting up displays, arts and crafts and food samples there.
Kelly said guests at Celebrations of Cultures will have an opportunity to see performances from the Silverton High School Jazz Band and Drama Club, Fall Line Skateboarding Exhibition, Silverton Self Defense Martial Arts, American Academy of Performing Arts Company, Ballet Folklorico Tlanese and Native American Prayer Ritual.
A student art exhibition featuring several local schools, sponsored by the Silverton Art Association, will be at Borland Gallery. Five exchange students from Sue Fisher’s Connections Club at Silverton High School will have exhibits regarding their countries, including food samples, displays, clothing, music and more.
Kelly said more than 50 organizations, businesses and agencies and 250 individuals are volunteering their time to this event. Committee members include Ray Hunter, Andy Jones, Sheldon Traver, Jan Holowati, Maurice Leach, Michelle Fenney, Angie Brenden, and Savannah Gueltzow.
For information or to volunteer, call Doreen Kelly at 503-873-0405.
