In the Community from ACEH March 17

"May you be blessed with warmth in your home, love in your heart, peace in your soul, and joy in your life."   … an Irish blessing for St. Patrick's Day.

 

Herb and Ann

This information is provided by the Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony (ACEH).  If you do not wish to receive it in the future, please contact hpweller@comcast.net or editann@aol.com.  Events List is also posted on the ACEH website, www.harmonyalliance.org.

Tues, Mar 17, throughout day, starting at 11 am: 5th annual St. Patrick's Day Fleadh, featuring live Irish music.  At Curragh Irish Pub, 8th and College, Holland.

 

Tues, Mar 17, noon: "True Adventures in Afghanistan," by Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould, authors of "Invisible History: Afghanistan's Untold Story" and the first U.S. journalists to enter behind Soviet lines in Afghanistan in 1981 for CBS.  Lunch provided. www.herrickdl.org   Part of Great Decisions Series.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Wed, Mar 18, 7 pm: "Stealing Buddha's Dinner" author Bich Minh Nguyen reads from her memoir of growing up in Grand Rapids at Meet the Author event.  Part of Read Along the Lakeshore. At Harbor Lights School, West Ottawa Performing Arts Center, 1024 136^th Ave, Holland.

 

Fri, Mar 20, 5 pm: Reception opening the 10^th Conference on the Americas 2009: "Immigration: The Art and Politics of Movement," followed at 6 pm by keynote address by award-winning author Dr. Joy Castro and at 8 pm by classical guitarist Carlos de la Barrera performing music from Latin America.  At Wealthy Theater, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Mar 20:  Deadline to register for Statewide Immigrant Rights Summit I, to be held Fri, Mar 27, in Lansing.  Fax registration to (269) 427-2862 or email susanree@umich.edu  See information below.

 

Sat, Mar 21, noon to 4 pm: lst Annual Quinceañera and Prom Event: "Celebrating a Hispanic Girl's Coming of Age":  fashion shows, door prizes, food.  Raleigh Woods Conference Center, 12968 James St, near Beeline, Holland.

 

Sat, Mar 21, 8 am until 6 pm, with keynote address at 1 pm: 10^th Conference on the Americas 2009.  Keynote by Dr. Erik Camayd-Freixas, director of the Interpretation and Translation Center, Florida International University, who recently interpreted for people arrested in the largest ICE raid in US history, at Postville, Iowa. Includes workshops, panels, exhibits, films.  At Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center, downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Sat, Mar 21, 9 am until 5 pm: "The Trace of  Silence" exhibit by artist Erick Pichardo, originally from the Dominican Republic; his art "retraces pilgrimage by immigrants who sought to reach the U.S. and Europe, including obstacles encountered, adapting to a new life in the new country, and the longing for the land left behind."  pichardo.art@hotmail.com   At GVSU Eberhard Center, Grand Rapids.

 

Tues, Mar 24, noon: "Rising Powers—India, China, and Africa," part of Great Decisions series.  Presenter Mark Axelrod is assistant professor at James Madison College.  Lunch provided.  At Herrick District Library, 300 South River, Holland.

 

Fri, Mar 27: 7:15 am: Annual forum of Partners for a Racism-Free Community, "Calling All to a New Era of Responsibility."  Convened by Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE).  $20. Register online at http://prfc-gr.org   (616) 643-0233; email staff@prfc-gr.org  At New Hope Baptist Church, 130 Delaware St, SW, Grand Rapids.

 

Fri, Mar 27, 8:30 am: Statewide Immigrant Rights Summit I, organized by Michigan Immigrant Rights Project and sponsored by the Arcus Foundation.  Panels on mobilizing grass-roots and faith groups to work for immigrant rights and immigration reform, collaborating to serve special immigrant populations in Michigan, and immigrant rights "hot topics" updates, plus an address by State Rep. Rashida Tlaib.  At Lansing Community College, West campus, Executive Amphitheater, Lansing.

 

Fri, Mar 27, 7:30 pm: Play, "Platanos and Collard Greens,"  romantic comedy of "the story of Freeman, an African American man, and Angelita, a Latina, who are forced to confront and overcome cultural and racial prejudices while defending their bond from family and friends."  In collaboration with Hope College multicultural student organizations, social activities committee, and theater department.  At Knickerbocker Theatre, 86 East 8^th St, Holland.

 

LOOKING AHEAD:

Save the Date: Saturday, May 30, 11 am to 4 pm.  lst Celebration of Multicultural Connections, by South Shore Village businesses, Holland's International Relations Commission, and the Neighborhood Commercial Improvement Program.  Event partners are looking for entertainers, visual artists, and craftspeople, volunteers, and sponsors. Contact Tina Perry at 355-1369 or tperry@cityofholland.com