Students plan International Showcase at Bicknell Center
A very popular long-standing tradition organized by international students with the help of the International Programs & Services office at Pittsburg State University is changing a bit this year.
What was previously known as the International Food & Culture Fair will now be the International Showcase and will put the focus on cultural performances by students rather than on the food.
It is planned for March 2 and is open to the campus and community.
“It outgrew itself,” said Brenda Hawkins, international advising coordinator. “The students started Global Fest — an outdoor food event held in September — two years ago and it was extremely popular and one that gives us unlimited space.”
Doing two food events in one year is daunting when it comes to coordination, setting up, cooking, and cleanup. And finding a venue that would hold the number of booths and the number of people that the indoor event was attracting each spring — one that also had space and technology for cultural performances — was impossible.
“The Bicknell Family Center for the Arts was bursting at the seams with our event the past few years,” Hawkins said.
Students put their heads together and came up with a modified version of the food and culture fair: the International Showcase, which will feature a variety of cultural performances with instrumental music, vocal music, and dance on stage in the Linda and Lee Scott Performance Hall, followed by a dessert reception in the lobby.
Guests may choose from several dessert options from countries like Brazil, Finland, Africa, and Paraguay, and will receive a beverage.
Students also will present interactive cultural tables with photographs, artifacts, and small games from their countries, as well as a few crowd favorites like henna painting.
To date, participating countries include India, South Africa, Paraguay, Nepal, Korea, Mexico, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and the Hispanics of Today student organization.
Many performers will wear traditional dress and photo projections, Hawkins noted, which will give guests a sense of traveling around the world without leaving the auditorium.
Tickets are $5 and will be available in advance with cash or credit card and at the door with cash only. Children under five will be admitted free.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. The program starts at 6:30 p.m. and likely will last about an hour and a half. Booths and desserts will be available afterward.