Spring culture weeks / festivals calendar

Asian Pacific Culture Week

Started in 1973, the week is to educate the public and celebrate the diverse Asian/Pacific islander community on campus.

This year, the API(A) Visibility Project will highlight historic images of the struggles, successes and contributions of Asian Americans to the country’s history, as well as UCD students dispelling stereotypes, all week long, throughout the campus.

Planned events:

* April 2: 7 to 9 p.m., Student Community Center multipurpose room, “So-Kpop’s Photobooth Event” offers a chance to be a pop star with help from Korean music videos and the dance team SoNE1.

* April 4: 7 to 9 p.m., multipurpose room, “SEA Mic” — Southeast Asian performers share their talents in spoken word, traditional dance, singing and other skills.

* April 8: 5 to 6:30 p.m., Women’s Resources and Research Center in North Hall, a chance to learn about mental health issues impacting Asian/Pacific Island women and connect with on-campus resources.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Thompson Hall lounge, “Threads of Our Roots” — a show highlighting culture through fashion.

* April 9: 5:30 to 7 p.m., multipurpose room, multicultural discussion panel on identity, barriers and challenges, as well as personal triumphs and a collaborative movement toward “unity in community.”

7:30 to 9 p.m., multipurpose room, film screening: “Grave of the Fireflies,” which tells the story of the toll World War II had on Japanese civilians, and discussion.

* April 10: 7 to 9 p.m., multipurpose room, “Korean Culture Night”: try on traditional clothes, learn to write your name in Korean, taste traditional food. Plus: performances.

* April 11: 4 to 6 p.m., Peace Lounge in the Cross Cultural Center, “Classroom to the Community”: Professor Robyn Rodriguez will discuss her research in the Filipino community and her career.

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., multipurpose room, Members of Hella Organized Bay Area Koreans will discuss Korean movements for peace and justice.

* April 12: 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Freeborn Hall, “Asian Pacific Culture Night”: traditional and modern performances by students and professional groups, headlined by the R&B group Legaci and hip hop artist Chris Logic.

Online: http://ccc.ucdavis.edu/culture_weeks/apcwnew.html

Powwow
The 41st annual UC Davis Powwow will move outside to the Quad this year, running from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on April 13. The event is sponsored by the Cross Cultural Center, Native American Student Union and a host of other campus organizations and programs.

The powwow annually provides a showcase of Native traditions as both a celebration and an educational opportunity for the community. The largest Native event on campus, it attracts about 1,000 dancers, vendors and spectators.

This year’s theme is “Honoring the indigenous peoples of the Americas.”

Dance registration will begin at 10 a.m. Gourd dance begins at 11 a.m. The grand entry will follow at noon.

Online: http://ccc.ucdavis.edu/programs/Powwow/powwow.html

Danzantes del Alma dance show

The annual community event featuring the UCD folkórico dance troupe will begin at 7 p.m. on April 27 in Freeborn Hall.

The show is a celebration of Mexican culture through a diverse repertoire of dance and song for the entire family. It supports outreach efforts to promote higher education.

Advance tickets are $10 for general admission,. At the door, tickets are $15 for general admission, $13 for students and $6 for children. Tickets are available at the Aggie Stadium Box Office or by calling 530-752-2471.

Online: http://ccc.ucdavis.edu/about/ddanew.html

La Raza Cultural Days

Hosted by the LRCD Planning Committee with support from campus organizations and programs, the week of events from April 29 to May 4 is designed to educated the campus and community about the social, cultural and political issues facing the Chicano/Latino community while celebrating traditions and culture.

This year’s theme is: “Muchas banderas, un sólo pueblo (Many Flags, One Community).

Planned events:

* April 29: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., kickoff event on the Memorial Union patio.

4 to 6 p.m., Student Community Center meeting room D, “A Taste of Multiculturalism”: a discussion of racism and colorism in Latin America.

4 to 7 p.m., “Intersections of Queer Activism”: Student Community Center multipurpose room, an “interactive performance and transformative art piece on intersections of queer women of color activism.”

7 to 9 p.m.,  meeting room D, “Comunidad Sana: Health Risks and Habits”:  Learn about the major health risks that affect the Latina/o population.

* April 30: 2 to 3:30 p.m, meeting room D, “Notlahtol Noyollo: Introduction to Classical Nahuatl”: A glimpse into the enduring legacy of the Aztec Civilization, and an introductory lesson the language of the ancient Mexican empire.

4:30 to 6:30 p.m., multipurpose room,  SPEAK Play: “A theatre piece portraying the struggles of an undocumented student as well as the spirit and drive that fuels their pursuit for a higher education.”

6 to 8 p.m., meeting room D, “The Latina/o Voice in Politics”:  A look at the Latina/o activity in the recent presidential election and how those votes may influence immigration, education and economics.

8 to 10 pm.., multipurpose room, “Women of Color Poetry Night.”

* May 1: Noon to 2 p.m., multipurpose room, “Overcoming Invisitbility”: a forum on recruitment and retention in higher education. The event will focus on the mental health of students facing culture clash: modifying their values, roles and identities in a way that can clash with their family’s expectations.

5 to 7 p.m., meeting room D, “Your Rights, My Rights”: a workshop with support from local police aimed at breaking down tension and stereotypes.

7 to 11 p.m., Freeborn Hall, “Noche de Estrellas”: a celebration of talents representing different facets of Latin American culture.

* May 2: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., multipurpose room and meeting room D, 17th-annual Youth Conference promoting higher education by bringing high school students to campus to participate in tours and financial aid and self-identity workshops.

1 to 2:30 p.m., meeting room E,  “Powerful Stories: LGBTQ Farmworkers Digital Stories Project,” which aims to make visible the struggles of farmworkers and improve conditions for them.

4:30 to 6:30 p.m., meeting room D, “Latin Dance 101”: a dance workshop and history lesson.

6:30 to 9:30 p.m., multipurpose room, “Queer Latinidad”: a yearly celebration and performance night focusing on  community members marginalized due to their queer identities.

* May 3: 3 to 6 p.m., Hart Hall room 1150, “Spray it and Wave it!”: an art workshop aimed at showing that despite differences within, it remains one community.

6 to 10 p.m., multipurpose room, Movie night: screening of “Gun Hill Road,” a film about a family whose members include a young Puerto Rican transexual.

* May 4: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., East Quad, La Gran Tardeada: a family-oriented celebration of Chicano/Latino culture with food booths, entertainment, a children’s fair and more.

Online: http://ccc.ucdavis.edu/culture_weeks/lrcdnew.html

Black Family Day

A community and family-friendly event celebrating the historical, social, artistic and educational achievements of the African diaspora, Black Family Day provides an opportunity to build community by bringing together students, alumni, family and friends.

Festivities at this year’s 44th annual event, set for noon to 6 p.m. on May 18 on the East Quad, will include live entertainment, a children’s fair, local food vendors, arts and crafts, and an annual wine and jazz social hosted by the African and African American Alumni Association.

Online: http://ccc.ucdavis.edu/programs/BFD/bfd.html

Picnic Day

The 99th annual incarnation of the campus’ signature event, Picnic Day, is set for April 20.

When the weather cooperates, the annual open house — believed to be the largest student-run event in the nation — can draw upwards of 125,000 people.

This year’s theme is “Snapshot,” because of the glimpse into life on campus and the surrounding community the free, all-day event affords visitors. Picnic Day showcases UCD’s teaching, research, service and campus life while offering fun activities for the entire community.

This year’s parade marshal is Dick McCapes, who also will be representing his late wife of 56 years, Marilyn Slater McCapes, a fellow UCD graduate.

Dick earned his bachelor’s degree from UCD in 1956 and graduated from the School of Veterinary Medicine two years later. Marilyn earned her bachelor’s degree in 1955, the same year the couple, who met on campus, was married. Both were involved in a number of campus activities, including Marilyn’s work as a Picnic Day organizer.

The couple moved back to Davis in 1970, when Dick joined the vet school’s faculty. He retired in 1994. Dick and Marilyn were active supporters of Shields Library, intercollegiate athletic and the UCD men’s rugby club. The award for the outstanding male athlete at UCD is named for Colby E. “Babe” Slater, Marilyn’s father. Also a Picnic Day leader in his day, Slater played football, basketball and baseball a a student at the University Farm and later led the United States to two Olympic gold medals in rugby.

Picnic Day features more than 200 events, including athletic and animal showcases, departmental exhibits, tours, lectures, performances and demonstrations. The Doxie Derby, Battle of the Bands and Multicultural Children’s Faire are among the perennial favorites. For more information, go online to http://picnicday.ucdavis.edu.

Whole Earth Festival

The 44th Whole Earth Festival, the second largest of the spring festivals, is set for May 10-12. The celebration promotes the environment, social justice and spirituality. The event started in 1969 when an art class taught by Jose Arguelles organized an “art happening” at UCD. After the United Nations established Earth Day in 1970, the event was renamed the Whole Earth Festival.

This year’s theme: “Time is Art.”

An estimated 35,000 people typically attend this Mother’s Day weekend event that offers workshops, music and dance performances, education booths, speakers, children’s crafts, film screenings, parades, vegetarian food booths and more than 150 vendors selling handmade arts and crafts. For more information, go online to http://wef.ucdavis.edu.