The Melting Pot at Sunset

The International Potluck at Sunset Ridge Elementary School on Feb. 15 witnessed a gathering of excited children and adults in the brightly lit large school hall decked up for the evening by the helping hands of caring volunteers. There were happy faces everywhere, waiting to share their cultural delicacies baked and cooked to perfection in the few hours after school that brought out the warm aroma of love and sharing.

What they hadn’t expected was a sensory delight of artistic renditions from around the world, right here in Pacifica, at their school. Marveling at the Tahitian dances, singing along, swaying to jazz, cheering the nationally ranked fencers, and soaking in the discipline exhibited by the martial arts demonstration … applauding together, the internationally diverse audience forgot their diversity!

The first half of the program featured artists from professional art organizations--the Nemenzo Dance Group, Westlake School of Performing Arts, Yong in Martial Arts, and The Coastside Academy of Fencers. Students Tanishq Pradhan (Hip Hop), Ivan Apolinar (Guitar), Ariel Zipagan (Tahitian), and Kenny Camacho (magic act) performed in the second half of the cultural showcase. The electrified evening culminated with a yoagasana demonstration by Ocean Yoga.

As the school’s Event Chair and an ardent volunteer on the board of nonprofit committees, I had a self-imposed challenge to create a culturally rich art show for the community. Up until then, potlucks had been, well, potlucks. With zero budget, but spurred on by my enthusiasm and the trust the PTA and Principal Cundiff showed in my ideas, I urged local art organizations to join hands in educating the children about the cultural diversity surrounding them.

After all, it takes a village to raise a child. And what place better than Pacifica?

To get a glimpse at some of the otherperformances: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU3kl0DvjCE&list=PLD1D01E8FFEE14C33&index=1&feature=plpp_video

--Apeksha Pradhan

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