_____________________________

Left to right: Lorraine Thompson, Howard “Skip” Joyner, Ruverta Holmes and Ernestine Joyner

Cultural Diversity On Display At ODU Festival

By Leonard E. Colvin
Chief Reporter
New Journal & Guide
  
       Immigration from overseas, migration from other states and the huge military presence in Hampton Roads have attributed to this region’s being among the most culturally and racially diverse  in the nation.
   On April 12th, Old Dominion University will host one of a growing number of festivals which celebrate that diversity with its International  Festival, starting at  11 a.m. at Kaufman Mall until 6 p.m.
       The event is being organized by the  Multicultural Alliance of Virginia and the  World Affairs Council in conjunction with ODU’s  Multicultural Student Services Department.
       According to a press release announcing the program, “Visitors can take part in activities such as belly dancing from Egypt; have a discussion over Thai cuisine; learn Polish folk dancing; and hear a Filipino string band. Many local and national organizations, including the Tidewater Scottish Society, the Peace Corps, the Swedish Women's Educational Association and the Sons of Italy will be represented.  

     An International Children's Village, for ages 5-12, will feature an afternoon of cultural performances, face painting, temporary tattoos, petting zoo, inflatable and obstacle course, dance, music, folk stories, puppets.”
Christine Hoppe, who is a board member of the Multicultural Alliance of Virginia, said the Festival is designed to introduce the community to the wealth of cultural diversity in this area.

     “We  are interested in  introducing Hampton Roads to the diversity of cultures, ethnicities, religions, foods and information about what these cultures are about,” said Hoppe, who is Palestinian. “There will be booths manned by people from different backgrounds to answer questions about their particular background.”
      Hoppe said when questions about the Palestinian people arise, she is eager to answer them. She said she seeks to avoid injecting her views about the political complexities of her people as they relate to what is taking place in the Middle East.
      “But Palestinians are Muslims and they are Christians and have been a part of the Arab world for centuries,” Hoppe said. “There are highly educated professionals and farmers who have worked in the olive groves and the  orange tree orchards for many years. There is much about our history that is unknown.”
      Hoppe’s family migrated from Jordan to Michigan, which has one of the largest Arab enclaves in the nation.

      “There is a huge Arabic community in Hampton Roads,” said Hoppe. “But many of them are afraid to venture into the public because of the discrimination and fear that Muslims are terrorist.  But once people get to know people of Arab culture, there is a greater connection and understanding that only a small portion of the Muslim world is radical.”
      One portion of the day’s events will feature religious praise dancing that is currently popular in many African American churches.
      Members of the Chariots of Fire Faze 2 Praise Dance Troupe, who will perform, are dedicated to performing African dance and respecting its varied purposes in all cultures.

    But the troupe, based at New Mt. Zion  AME Church, in Norfolk, has other things in common. All of the five talented and energetic members  are  in their 50s. They are all from New York, and have a love of dance and music. And they have all embraced their role of rearing their grandchildren.
      Ruverta Holmes founded the group in  1994 as part of a church ministry at Mt. Zion. But busy schedules deterred members from attending regularly. So she went beyond the church’s walls and recruited a small group which would be less busy and more dedicated.

Posted April 2, 2008

  
 

  
      Holmes says that dance is not only an art form in African cultures, but it serves other vital social purposes for other ethnic groups as well.
      “Dance  is used not only for entertainment, but to celebrate birth, life, marriage, love and death,” said Holmes. “Dance is central to many African religious and cultural activities. Many other cultural groups use it the same way. I think dance is the one form which connects all of us regardless of who we are.”
      It was while she was living in New Orleans that she saw the confluence of dance and music to highlight many social and cultural activities in that city.
      “You can go anywhere in New Orleans and hear different forms of music being played and competing with each other,” she said. “One day I saw a funeral where they were playing music and dancing in celebration of death, not in sorrow.”
Holmes said each dance routine, and the accompanying music, as  African tradition dictates, seek to communicate a special message.
      “The music and the steps create various spiritual messages,” she said. “It could be salvation,  praise of God and the family, strength, love, and celebrations. This is how we connect as a group and this is  how we seek to connect with the audiences.”
      Holmes’ dance group has performed throughout the United States, and last year, overseas, she said.
      On April 12th at ODU, Holmes said her group will perform a dance routine from the 30-year-old TV series “Roots” entitled, "Many Rains to Come".  This dance depicts the farewell cry of the African women who know their loved ones have been captured and taken to a far off strange land and will never be seen again. 
       On April 4th the troupe will perform in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message of non-violence. Dr. King was assassinated  40 years on April 4th,  
     “Dr. King was a minister of the gospel, therefore, we will use the prophetic ministry of mime and our dances will tell what I believe would be King's message if he were alive today,” said Holmes.
      “The message that he had was a heavy cross to bear and sometimes his load was lonely, yet he dared to walk it, and as a people, we still can rise, never giving up or giving in,” she said. 
      Holmes  said a dance observing the historic significance of the current presidential election will be performed as well.
       Holmes said the efforts of her dance group are dedicated to the strength of its members who have assumed the role of mothers for their grandchildren.  Holmes said when her daughter’s life “got out of control”, she assumed the role as their mother, instead of seeing her children placed in a foster home,.
       “I have played this role from the day my two grandchildren were born until now,” said Holmes.  “Among all the other reasons for dancing and performing, I dedicate this to my efforts and love of caring for my children. Women, grandmothers of every  generation have performed this role. It is a very important one because we are nurturing our future. Each time we get on the floor is a celebration of it.”     

Click Here to Subscribe to the New Journal and Guide.