Mini ‘Culturama’ slated here tomorrow

With delegates from 33 countries attending, the World Health Organization’s Conference on Safe Communities, which officially started here Tuesday morning, has lived up to be a truly international event.
And in keeping with the spirit, the Rainy Lake Multicultural Association has planned a free mini “Culturama” on Wednesday to ensure that global feel also comes in the form of good food and entertainment.
“We were approached by the WHO committee. With all the delegates coming from all over, they thought it was appropriate,” said Bev Kotnik, who is organizing the event with Sig Mosley, Ron Bernardi, and Linda Rajala.
“There was no resistance from us at all,” she added.
Slated to run from 5-9 p.m. at the Memorial Sports Centre, hundreds of delegates and the public will be treated to several acts from the Winnipeg Folk Arts Council, as well as local performers.
The line-up is as follows:
•5-5:30 p.m.—Fort Frances Gymnastics Academy;
•5:30-6 p.m.—Wado Kai Karate;
•6-6:45 p.m.—Fort Frances Highlanders and Fort Dance Studio;
•6:40-7 p.m.—Square dancers;
•7-7:30 p.m.—Splendore D’Italia Folk Dancers;
•7:30-8 p.m.—McConnell Irish Dancers;
•8-8:30 p.m.—Sol Del Espana Spanish Club Folk Dancers; and
•8:30-9 p.m.—Mini-Mariachi Me-xican troubadours.
And, like all Culturamas, there will be food—Swedish meatballs and rye bread, chicken wings and balls, fried rice, spring rolls, stir fry rice noodles, perogies, cabbage rolls, and bigos (sauerkraut and sausage).
“We want to stress it’s open to the public and we welcome everyone. It’s free,” Kotnik enthused.
The event is made possible from funds raised from the association’s Bingos.
In related news, a larger version of “Culturama” is being planned for June 22 at the Sports Centre. Details are still being worked out.