DCCC turns spotlight on international customs

BY TRAVIS TALENT
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER

March 26, 2008

DAVIDSON COUNTY – Organizers of “International Night” at Davidson County Community College believe this one will be the most successful ever.

In its third year, the event is an idea formed by Suzanne Laventure, a Spanish faculty member and ad­viser of DCCC’s International Club. Designed to promote compassion for all people on the planet, the event has traditionally mixed the color, sounds, tastes, costumes and cultures of mul­tiple nations.

Thirty-three countries are expect­ed to be featured Thursday night – up from 25 in 2006 – including Algeria, Guatemala, Sudan and Switzerland.

Held at Brinkley Gymnasium, visitors can expect to see a multi­cultural fashion parade, a bagpipe performance, belly dancing and vid­eos. Various door prizes also will be handed out.

Putting the finishing touches around campus Tuesday after­noon, Carolyn Davis, last year’s International Club president and one of the organizers of this year’s event, said entertainment changes each year with new students and talents.

“All performances have been well received. However, the biggest hit has been the belly dancers,” she said. Two dancers performed in 2006 and an entire troop was added the following year. Several different troops will perform this year.

Davis said providing an oppor­tunity for people to experience dif­ferent cultures from around the world and educating on the issues of global poverty are major goals of the night.

“DCCC enjoys a very diverse eth­nic population, from students in our English as a Second Language program to our curriculum courses. This event is great in that all (of) these students work together in al­most every aspect of International Night,” she said, adding the students also learn from one another by shar­ing their cultures.
Last year’s event raised more than $2,300, with organizers hoping to reach $5,000 this year. Proceeds benefit the non-profit organization “World Vision.”

Club members who are travel­ing this year to Costa Rica, France, Honduras, Italy and Spain also will receive funding from the event.