Everybody Welcome Week, Colorado Springs, August 2011

The Colorado Springs Diversity Forum today announces the 5th Annual Everybody Welcome Week, running from August 7 through August 13, 2011.

Everybody Welcome Week kicks off with the Everybody Welcome Festival on Sunday,

August 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs. The Everybody Welcome Festival is a free family event, open to the public. All are invited to attend.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy the diversity of talented local performers, artisans, cultural craftsmen through distinct activities and exhibits. The festival seeks to educate the community so that difference is viewed as an asset and curiosity and a desire to engage are the first responses to difference.

This year’s festival will feature two stages so that more entertainment can be enjoyed by more families. The entertainment features:

· Maori cultural dance by Pacific Pride and Island Hearts;

· East Indian dance by the Colorado Springs Indian Community;

· Senegalese performance by Dallo;

· African drumming and dance by Oluwaseyi;

· Halau Ilima, Hawaiian dance

· Brazilian and African Samba by Chris Sadeh;

· The music of Colorado Springs Indian Community Band,

· Special Blend

· Suga Bear and The Showtime Band;

· Lipstick Voodoo; and

· many more...

The festival will also include:

· Continental villages exhibiting local cultural groups, support groups and products for sale.

· Children’s Passports that let children (up to 16) take a free trip around the world; get their passports stamped for completing cultural activities at each continent; then enter a drawing for fabulous prizes.

· Ethnic food representing a variety of cultures will be available for purchase. Some vendors accept cash only.

· Closing ceremonies

· City Proclamation observance of Everybody Welcome: A Celebration of Culture and Diversity Week, August 7th through 13th, 2011

Last year over 10,000 people attend the Everybody Welcome Festival.

Other activities throughout Everybody Welcome Week include:

· Tuesday, August 9, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bridging Military to Community Workshops presented in partnership with USAA;

· Wednesday, August 10, 7 to 10 p.m., The Journey to Forgiveness: the Legacy of the Boarding School Documentary, a film followed by discussion at the Cornerstone Arts Center at Colorado College;

· Thursday, August 11, 12 noon to 1 p.m. The Diversity and Inclusion Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Colorado Springs Business Journal, recognizes local businesses that demonstrate and promote diversity and inclusion in both their internal operations and external civic engagement.

· Friday, August 12, 1 to 4 p.m. the Immigration Symposium, Local Asian History and Influence at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

The week culminates with The Cotton Club on Saturday August 13 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Stargazer’s Theatre. The Cotton Club, a celebration of our City’s vibrant history of inclusion, is a reenactment of Fannie Mae Duncan’s Cotton Club featuring Suga Bear and the Showtime Band and honoring local, historic proponent of inclusion Henry Sachs. Take a step back in time, don your Zoot-suit, hat and Cat-eye glasses, step into your dancing shoes and join in the fun! There is no charge to attend The Cotton Club.

More information about Everybody Welcome Week, the Festival, the Cotton Club, or other Everybody Welcome Week events can be found at www.cospdiversityforum.org