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Cultural Activity Pavilion Sponsored by Midwest Living
Friday, Aug. 28
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Urdu: The Language of the Caravan | Mona Majeed
- Mona will take participants on a tour of Pakistan, introducing you to culture, food, currency, and language. She feels language is fascinating and is a meaningful, interesting way to connect with and learn about other cultures. While exploring the Urdu language, this workshop will take you on the road with new characters and letters. Fasten your seatbelts!
1:30 – 3 p.m.: Board Games of India | Mamta Israni
- Every culture has their own unique games and activities. Some games are played mainly by children and others are enjoyed by all ages. Many games and sports stem from history or mythology related to a particular culture. This workshop will introduce some popular Indian games. Participants will play and discover that some games are quite similar to ones they know, and others are a completely new experience.
3:30 – 5 p.m.: Filipino Crafts | Julie Hayes
- Julie will share about Filipino culture through craft activities. With a resurgence in hacky sack playing, Julie will teach how to make a hacky sack style "sipa."
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Chinese Lantern Making | Shaung Flyr
- Lanterns are an important symbol of Chinese culture, playing an impotant role in celebrations and ceremonies. Shuang will provide examples on how to make lanterns.
Saturday, Aug. 29
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Chicano Style Prints | Seso Marentes
- Participants will learn about printmaking and its significance with the dual Mexican and American culture. They will roll Ink onto a linoleum carving and then use rhythm to make an impression. This is a method that has been used by many Mexican artists to spread news locally. Now we use it to commemorate and continue the tradition of our ancestors.
2 – 4 p.m.: West African Village Drumming | Fonziba Koster
- Drums are a vital component of West African culture and are played at all important life events including marriages, funerals, harvests, celebrations and rites of passage. In this workshop, students will experience the power of drumming together as a group on 30 authentic jembe hand-drums from the Ivory Coast, W. Africa. As they learn African polyrhythms comprised of 3-5 rhythms played simultaneously, they will see how Africans combine self expression with teamwork to create a village drum band.
5 – 7 p.m.: The Ancient Art of Mehndi | Sonal Mistry
- The art form of applying henna (known as mehndi) has been a part of many cultures for thousands of years. This ancient practice spans several cultures and traditions and varies from region to region. Like all symbols, the varying designs often mean different things to different cultures. Henna art is associated with Indian culture and its use as a ceremonial art form for wedding ceremonies. Indian designs are made of a delicate blending of fine lines creating a striking pattern which covers a larger area of the skin such as the hands and feet.
Sunday, Aug. 30
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Dances of India | Pragnya Yogesh
- On display will be costumes and traditional items used during performances. Pragnya will demonstrate some dance steps and invite others to join in and learn!
1 – 2 p.m.: Peruvian Pan Flute | Cucho Madero
- Cucho Madero is a professional musician who performs at festivals around Iowa. At the Cultural Pavilion by CultureALL, Cucho will play the pan flute and share its history in the world and in Peru. You will be invited to join him in performing music with rattles, drums, rain-sticks, and small Peruvian pan flutes. He will invite participants to join him in performing music with rattles, drums, rain-sticks, and small Peruvian pan flutes.
2:30 – 4 p.m.: Chinese Calligraphy: The Art and Meaning of Chinese Characters | Phoebe Liang D' Alessandro
- Discover the beauty and elegance of one of the world’s oldest writing systems in this immersive Chinese calligraphy workshop. Often seen as challenging by the Western world, Chinese characters are an art form in their own right, with deep historical and cultural significance. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how Chinese characters come to life, practice writing 10-15 essential Chinese words, and explore the timeless art of calligraphy. Phoebe, an expert in the craft, will guide you step-by-step, teaching you how to hold and use a traditional Chinese brush for perfect strokes. By the end of the workshop, you’ll have created your own personalized calligraphy card, a beautiful reminder of your journey into this ancient tradition. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to connect with the rich heritage of Chinese writing.
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