World View College Updates
June 2007

2007-08 International Festivals in North Carolina

The following list provides you with information on international festivals in North Carolina for the remainder of calendar year 2007 and the beginning of 2008. If you know of additional international festivals or fairs, please let us know and we will add them to the list.

June & June-July

American Dance Festival, June 7-July 21, 2007
Durham ( Duke University)
One of the largest and most influential dance festivals in the U.S., The American Dance Festival features over a dozen modern dance companies and choreographers, and will present over 60 performances this season. In addition to the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Pilobolus, and Shen Wei Dance Arts, the festival features great dance talents hailing from Africa, Russia, Cambodia, and Argentina, who display an exciting variety of dance styles. For more information visit: www.americandancefestival.org/ .

Fiesta Latina, June 9, 2007
 Rocky Mount
The second annual Fiesta Latina will take place from 3-8 pm in Rocky Mount. Authentic Latino food, live music, and dance will be featured. Like many counties in NC, Nash and Edgecombe counties have a rapidly growing Hispanic population and this festival is meant to celebrate the rich Hispanic culture and provide an opportunity for outreach to the Hispanic population. For more information, please visit: www.downtownrockymount.com .

Taste of Scotland, June 15-June 17, 2007
 Franklin
A day of Scottish culture for the whole family! Featuring traditional Scottish food, costume, Celtic dance, music, Border Collie demonstrations, a parade of clans and tartans, Scottish artisans, and children’s Highland Games. For more information visit: www.scottishtartans.org/tasteofscotland.html, or call (828) 369-8809.

Carnival Carolina, June 17, 2007
Charlotte
The 10th Annual Carnival Carolina, one of the largest Hispanic festivals in the Carolinas, will take place on the grounds of the Metrolina Expo in Charlotte on Sunday, June 18th. This festival is a celebration of culture, and participants are encouraged to immerse themselves in Hispanic cuisine, dance, and music. Featuring international and national award-winning artists, Carnival Carolina has grown in recognition as a leading venue of Hispanic cultures from Mexico, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the U.S. For more information, call (704) 281-9700.

July

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, July 12-15, 2007
 MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain (near Linville)
Celebrating its 52nd year, this is the oldest and largest Highland Games in North Carolina. Experience Gaelic culture through the Highland Dancing Atlantic International Championship, piping, drumming, Scottish athletic events, track & field events, Scottish country dancing, Scottish fiddling, Sheep Herding, children's tent activities and more. For more information, visit www.gmhg.org/events.htm .

Folkmoot USA, July 16-29, 2007
Western North Carolina (various sites)
Folkmoot USA, North Carolina’s official international festival, is a two-week celebration of the world’s cultural heritage through folk music and dance. Held each summer across the mountains of western North Carolina, Folkmoot features performances, parades, and workshops by more than 350 performers from a dozen countries. Performers demonstrate cultural heritage through original reproduction costumes, dance, and music. During its 24-year history, over 200 folk groups from more than 100 countries have shared their heritage and culture at Folkmoot USA. Visit www.folkmootusa.org for a complete schedule, ticket information, and directions to the venues.

August

Waldensian Festival, August 10-11, 2007
 Valdese
On the second Saturday of each August, Valdese holds a festival to celebrate the "Glorious Return" of the Waldenses from exile in Switzerland to their native valleys in the Cottian Alps of Italy in 1689. This celebration is mirrored around the world by other Waldensian communities. The festival features over 180 vendors and artists, food, crafts, the Great Waldensian Footrace, musical entertainment, a fireworks show, a bocce tournament, and access to the local tourist attractions of Historic Valdese. For more information, please contact Barbara Hefner, by phone at (828) 879-2126 or e-mail at bhefner@ci.valdese.nc.us.

Umoja Festival, August 25, 2007
 Seabrook Park, Fayetteville
Join this celebration of African culture featuring storytellers, vendors, artists, dancers, and music. Call (910) 488-7130 for more information.

September

La Fiesta del Pueblo, September 8-9, 2007
 Raleigh (NC State Fairgrounds)
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, El Pueblo presents the largest Latin American festival in the Carolinas. Designed to provide an opportunity for cultural interchanges, event activities include two food courts with more than 30 vendors offering cuisine from Latin America, employment, health, & education fairs in Spanish and English, 3 stages featuring continuous music performances, a dance stage, and cultural exhibits. Visit El Pueblo’s website for more information: www.elpueblo.org .

International Festival, September 29, 2006
 Charlotte (UNC Charlotte)
The festival is centered around booths arranged in colorful marketplace style, representing the cultures of about 50 nations. The booths are staffed by UNC Charlotte international students and members of Charlotte’s international community, and feature art, crafts, and costumes from each participating country. Many booths offer international food for sale. Throughout the day the music and dance of many nations will be presented. Festival offers mimes and face painting designed especially for children. Event is on the UNC Charlotte campus. Free. http://ifest.uncc.edu/ .

International Folk Festival, September 30
Festival Park in Fayetteville
Eat your fill at the International Cafe where you can sample the culture from over 30 different countries representing Fayetteville's population. Arts and Crafts booths will display and sell handmade items, many from folk art traditions around the world.  Six performance stages will provide continuous music and dance. Children’s areas provide hands-on activities, and study guides of the nations represented will be available on the website closer to the program date. Panama is the 2007 host. More information at www.theartscouncil.com/International_Folk_Festival .

October  

International World Gala, October 19-21, 2007
Gibsonville ( Northeast Park)
The International World Gala 2007 is not just another cultural festival. It is the Beat of world drums, the Aroma of international cuisine, the Step and Sway of a colorful canvass of people and performers from  Australia...to Asia...to Africa...to Europe...to North and South America. It includes exhibitions, concerts, wine tasting, woodland expeditions, international cuisine, world arts and crafts, and guest appearances. Visit www.internationalworldgala.com, or call (336) 358-2335.

November

International Festival, November 3-4, 2007
 Raleigh ( Dorton Arena, NC State Fairgrounds)
The International Festival promotes and celebrates the diverse culture in our area. Enjoy stages of music and dance and international cuisine. Visit www.internationalfestival.org in the fall for festival 2007 updates.

Foothills Highland Games, November 3, 2007
 Hendersonville (Jackson Park)
Experience living history at the S.C.O.T.S. (Scottish Clans of the South, Inc.) annual gathering of the clans-- The 6th Annual Foothills Highland Games and Festival. Celebrate the Celtic heritage at the Foothills Highland Games and Festival featuring Scottish athletics competition (caber toss, tugs of war) Highland dancers, sheep herding demonstrations, bagpipe bands, children's games, parade of tartans, women's athletics, Scottish music & entertainment and food. For a schedule of events call (828) 693-8526 or visit www.scotsfoothillshg.org .

December

Scandinavian Christmas Fair, December 1, 2007
 Raleigh (NC State Fairgrounds)
This event features Scandinavian favorites like homemade foods, unique crafts, and entertainment. There will be cultural exhibits and children’s activities. Entertainment includes folk dancing, folk music, and the popular Lucia-procession. The food court will have Swedish meatballs, salmon, and homemade breads. For more information, visit www.scanfair.org .

February 2008

Cultural Celebration, February 28, 2008
Wilkesboro
Wilkes Community College presents the second annual Cultural Celebration on Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 4-7 pm in Wilkesboro. A Hall of Nations filled with flags will be hosted by international students and members of the community sharing photos, arts & crafts, and dress of their native cultures. Over 35 booths hosted by students, faculty, staff, and community organizations will present topics of global interest. International cuisine, live music, dance, storytelling and theater will be featured as well as interactive activities for both children and adults. Free. For more information, call (336) 838-6188, or email karen.staten@wilkescc.edu .

 March 2008

India Fest – A Cultural Arts Showcase, March 2008
Raleigh (NC State Fairgrounds)
India Fest is the largest Indian cultural arts show in the Triangle and provides a platform for cross cultural awareness, appreciation and interaction through performing arts, exhibition, cuisine, and education. India Fest aims to build awareness in the community about cultural diversity. This year’s show celebrates the theme Scintillating Spices - a spoonful of Scintillating Spices will take you on a journey through Indian culture and rejuvenate your senses. Come and discover India once again in all its glory of dance, music, crafts, fashion, cuisine, exhibition, and of course Spices! For updates, visit www.nuvyug.org .

 

  

Do you have information to share?

Do you have information to share with educators? If so, please send information about global education programs that are offered in your college, announcements about globally focused seminars, and new resources for college faculty. Email Neil at nebolick@unc.edu .

Reader Mailbag

If you have comments about any of the information in this College Update, send me an email! Your comments may appear in College Updates!

Disclaimer: World View at UNC-Chapel Hill provides information, resources, and announcements for educational purposes only. It does not represent an endorsement of organizations or points of view by World View or The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

World View Community College Symposium 2007

Best Practices in Global Education at Community Colleges Around the United States

 November 14-15, 2007 (1½ days)

World View’s 2007 Community College Symposium will bring community college educators from across the U.S. to present best practices in globalizing colleges and curriculum. Symposium offers general sessions, concurrent sessions, and support for college-based teams in creating an Action Plan for globalizing colleges.

Location: The Friday Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Cost: $135 per person. $425 for a Team of 4 individuals from the same college. (save $115)

Call (919) 962-9264 or email worldview@unc.edu for more information.

NC Community College Faculty Receive Grants to Internationalize Their Courses

World View is delighted to announce that five NC community college faculty have received grants to internationalize their courses. Congratulations to Alice Lentz from Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Theresa Gauthier from Cleveland Community College, and Misti Silver, Ron Davis, and Ryan Carter from Mayland Community College.

This grant program was funded by UNC’s Center for Global Initiatives (CGI) and organized by World View. Each grantee will receive $600 as a stipend to reward the extra time and work to fund a trip to UNC-Chapel Hill for research. At UNC they will work with appropriate librarians and faculty arranged by World View, and will consult with World View faculty. Our special thanks to Niklaus Steiner, Director of the Center for Global Initiatives, for the Center’s funding of these grants.

New grants to internationalize courses will be awarded next year. The August issue of College Updates will include application information. Call Neil Bolick at 919-843-5332 or email him at nebolick@unc.edu for additional information.

 

International Essay Contest

UNESCO and Goi Peace Foundation are inviting young people from around the world to enter the International Essay Contest for Young People. Open to everyone under 26, this year's theme is "The role of media and information and communication technologies in building a peaceful world."

Submissions due June 30. For information, visit the Goi Peace Foundation website.

 

Audio Interviews with Peace Corps Social Entrepreneurs

A new interview each week!

Listen to returned Peace Corps volunteers as they describe their lives as social entrepreneurs. This series of weekly podcast interviews, produced by Social Edge in collaboration with the National Peace Corps Association, is an excellent resource for educators interested in sharing firsthand accounts of how returned Peace Corps volunteers have used their skills and experiences to change the world for the better. More information and a link to the podcasts are available from the Peace Corps website here.

Educating for the 21st Century

From the Harvard International Education Policy Program listserv:

The world is changing at an extremely rapid pace. As educators, how can we create learning experiences to equip our students for a future that is hard to visualize?

Educating for the 21st Century is a dynamic course designed for educators at all levels, incorporating case-studies and field visits. The course will demonstrate techniques for the integration of peace education into your curriculum and teaching. The course is offered by the United Nations mandated University for Peace's Centre for Executive and Professional Education: www.centre.upeace.org

Offered from July 22-29 2007, the course will begin on the campus of University for Peace in Costa Rica before moving to the Monteverde Cloud Forest region. The main themes include: Pedagogies for the 21st Century, Leadership Skills for Educators, and Education for Sustainable Development.

The all-inclusive tuition fee of $1250 includes course materials, field visits, accommodation, and most meals. For more information and course itinerary, visit their website here.