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The Riis Settlement House Multicultural Fair: A Celebration of Cultures & Community

On Friday, March 1, 2013, Riis Settlement hosted its annual Multicultural Fair at the Queensbridge Gymnasium.  The event brought together an array of talented performances, creative art displays, cultural food and desserts, local vendors and more.  Local community members came out for the celebration, which turned out to be an incredible night of festivity, collaboration and fun.

Riis Settlement’s Multicultural Fair: a Celebration of Cultures & Community

Art displays covered the gymnasium wall-to-wall, depicting the talented contributions of our Riis Academy participants, senior citizens, and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students.  Riis Academy after-school participants focused on a particular country or region for their artworks.  Displays from Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond brought the globe right into Riis Settlement’s home.

Riis Settlement’s Multicultural Fair: a Celebration of Cultures & Community

Sheila, a third-grade participant at Riis Academy-Ravenswood, was thrilled to share her contribution to the fair.  “I had so much fun working on Italy.  One thing I learned about Italian culture is that it’s tradition to eat pizza with your family.”

Sheila shows off her contributions to the Italy project
Sheila shows off her contributions to the Italy project

Steven, another 8-year old participant at Ravenswood, said the project inspired him to travel.  “I had such a great time working on the project with my friends.  We all want to go to Italy one day.”

Riis Academy participants showcase their Italian masterpieces
Riis Academy participants showcase their Italian masterpieces

Community members demonstrated their entrepreneurial skills by setting up tables for food, clothing, artwork, desserts and more.

These incredible vases and napkin holders were stitched together by Senior Citizens in the Queensbridge community.
These incredible vases and napkin holders were stitched together by Senior Citizens in the Queensbridge community.

Performances started off with an innovative dance routine from the Senior Shakers, who shook their hips to Caribbean beats and music.  The night continued with cultural songs and dances, musical duets, guitar performances, monologues, fashion shows, comedy acts and martial arts demonstrations.  Surely, the audience had plenty to keep them entertained well into the night.

Andy, Jordan, Aiden, and Steven (from Riis Academy-P.S. 166) pose after their electrifying Kung-Fu demonstration
Andy, Jordan, Aiden, and Steven (from Riis Academy-P.S. 166) pose after their electrifying Kung-Fu demonstration 

 

Participants at Riis Academy-P.S. 166 captured the room’s hearts by performing a Bollywood dance for their routine.  When asked about their performance, the young ladies replied, “It was so much fun! We jumped around and did all these cool hand movements.  We were nervous at first, but now we just want to do it again!”

Riis Academy-P.S. 166 participants convene together after their Bollywood performance
Riis Academy-P.S. 166 participants convene together after their Bollywood performance

 

 

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