September 18, 2009

Longest Running Tradition at 'Niner Nation coming 9/26


Saturday, September 26 is the 34th annual International Festival (IFest) at UNC Charlotte. It is the longest running tradition on-campus and brings thousands of visitors from the community. Efforts to coordinate the massive event started at the end of the 33rd annual IFest. Over 700 hours of student volunteer work are contributed - in addition to time and energy contributed by staff from all over campus.

International student groups and international community groups set up under giant tents in and around the Barnhardt Student Activity Center. Color, arts and crafts, maps, one-of-a-kind jewelry, masks, dolls, clothes,musical instruments and delicious food are everywhere. If you come at 10 AM you are welcomed by the Loch Norman Pipe Band kicking off the festivities with the unmistakable sound of bagpipes and drums. Anywhere in the middle of the day is a smorgasbord of activity, sound and food. The final act, the Manny y Sus Trabucos band ends the day with of rush of adrenaline-infused Afro-Cuban/Caribbean music (on stage at 5 PM).

If you've not been, you need to. It's a free day of events and "travel" on-campus. It's part of celebrating the diversity of 'Niner Nation while recognizing the world beyond. It opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM - you can stay all day or come for a couple hours. There's always something going on, food being sold, stories being told, singing and dancing. The schedule of performances is at http://ifest.uncc.edu. If you're serious about going global this is the place to start!

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