Multicultural Faire returns

COEUR d'ALENE - A kaleidoscope of cultures will come together next month at Lakes Magnet Middle School.

The school's second Multicultural Faire takes place April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and organizers are still eager to hear from local cultural groups interested in participating.

"We had 23 such groups involved last year, and several hundred attendees," said Lakes teacher Dave Eubanks. "We're hoping to double those numbers this year."

The event celebrates the diverse cultural heritages found in the Pacific Northwest by bringing people together to share traditional music, food, clothing, arts, crafts, dance and folklore.

The lineup of countries and cultures that will be represented already includes: American Pioneers, The Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Britain, Ireland, Bolivia, Egypt, Germany, Norway, Ukraine, Italy, the Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, Israel, Hungary, Japan, France, Mexico.

Admission to the event will be free.

Participants are free to sell food, drink or their wares.

Scheduled stage performances include: Kootenai County Fire Department's Bagpipers; Ravisha the belly dancer; Texas Road House line dancers; Rod Erickson the Canadian Champion yodeler; Colby Acuff and his band; Riverboat Dave and Jess; Dean Smith - blues and funk; the Andera Dancers - Irish history in song and dance (like Riverdance); dancers from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, Argentine Tango Dancers, the Sorensen Marimbas, jugglers and African Drummers, Lakes' dancers and singers, an Israeli dancer, and a Celtic Punk band.

Those interested in participating in the celebration should contact Kelli Aiken or Dave Eubanks at 667-4544.