To the Editor:
The weather outside may be frightful ...
... but on Sunday evening at Red Rock Center for the Arts there is going to be something delightful. Fairmont residents will be able to visit Hawaii without leaving the city, thanks to the Minnesota International Center.
The Sunday night event is FREE and will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Red Rock Center with a presentation by the Minnesota International Center's Great Decisions speaker, Roger Salway, on the efforts to alleviate hunger in developing countries.
Then, at about 6:10 p.m., the internationally recognized Rose Ensemble, which has performed to large audiences throughout Europe and North America, will warm us with their "Hawai'i Revealed" concert. This is a special opportunity to experience the music and dance traditions of the Hawaiian islands.
Members of the Rose Ensemble will bring the chants and songs of the Hawaiian kings and queens to life. The program also features a hula dance accompanied by ukulele and gourd drums (ipu and ipu heke), traditional instruments of Hawaii. This isn't your Hawaiian vacation hotel experience - this is the real thing. Freewill offering welcome.
Sunday evening will kick off a series of intercultural events organized for our junior/senior high and elementary school students by the Minnesota International Center, a remarkable non-profit organization that inspires Minnesota communities to understand global issues and cultures in an ever changing world. MIC will bring 27 international visitors from 19 countries to meet with our students to talk about the similarities and differences between our countries and share what it's like to live somewhere else in the world.
I can't think of a better way to spend a cold winter's night in January - short of actually going to Hawaii, of course. Plus, what a magnificent educational treat for our students.
Kudos to the Minnesota International Center for this around-the-world adventure. And for all of you, just come and enjoy!
Eric Johnson
Fairmont Area Schools teacher