CultureFest to maintain core spirit

Food, music, speakers and performances have demonstrated the success of IU’s CultureFest. But as a Welcome Week tradition, CultureFest represents deeper messages behind those backdrops.

Each year’s CultureFest has featured different guest speakers and performers, but what has not been changed is its core spirit.

“It’s about being consistent,” said Melanie Payne, associate director of First Year Experience Programs. “Every year, it is intended to introduce new students to different cultures at IU and to celebrate the diversity.”

Payne said CultureFest has both outdoor and indoor components. The outdoor portion consists of food, music, cultural performances and activities, while the indoor aspect is meant to inspire and educate. CultureFest will take place at 4:30 p.m. today at the
IU Auditorium.

“Mostly, the challenge to the freshmen class is to think beyond the cultural boundaries they have and to meet other people,” Payne said.

Payne said the message is simple for all students, regardless of who they are.

“Connect with each other, share yourself, learn about somebody different and immerse yourself in what IU has to offer in terms of culture,” Payne said.

CultureFest tries to make new students get out of their comfort zones, Payne said. By doing that, they will adopt multicultural perspectives.

The selected keynote speaker, Kevin Wanzer an Indianapolis native and inspirational speaker, will return to address this year’s crowd.

“Kevin has actually been to the CultureFest before, and he is probably the most popular speaker,” Payne said. “He is not just entertaining, but he also has a good message about embracing cultural differences.”

She said Wanzer has worked with David Letterman in New York City, has toured the world and has visited many different colleges in America.

“He’s been a great and powerful speaker at CultureFest in the past,” said Doug Bauder, coordinator for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and  Transgender Student Support Services. “I noticed that when he spoke to the students, they really loved it.”

Follwing Wanzer’s speech will be various other performances.

“We have performances such as hip-hop, breakdancing, bluegrass music, hard rock, Irish and Indian dancing performance and also American swing dancing,” Payne said. “It’s quite a bit a mix of everything.”

The display of cultural booths also plays a big role in CultureFest. IU centers will set up promotional booths at the event and have cultural activities as well as ethnic food for participants to enjoy.