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Cultural Rhythms
A celebration of our inherent diversityEvery February, the Cultural Rhythms cultural show and food festival celebrates Harvard's rich cultural and ethnic diversity by showcasing the talents of over 40 student organizations. The students and faculty of the Harvard Foundation nominate annually an outstanding American artist to be honored at the show as Cultural Artist of the Year. Each year, over 2,000 students attend this day-long celebration. All proceeds from the shows go to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Harvard Foundation Artist of The Year Honorees
1986 Debbie Allen 1996 Denzel Washington 1987 Marilyn McCoo 1997 Sinbad 1988 Ruben Blades 1998 Halle Berry 1989 Florence Griffith Joyner 1999 Will Smith 1990 Danny Aiello 2000 Matt Damon 1991 Phylicia Rashad 2001 Jackie Chan 1992 Jimmy Smits 2002 Blair Underwood 1993 Andy Garcia 2003 Queen Latifah 1994 Graham Greene 2004 George Lopez 1995 Denise Nicholas 2005 Jada Pinkett Smith
Participating Student Groups
Participants have included:
* ''05, '06, '07, '08 Steppers * Ku'umba Singers of Harvard College * Asian American Dance Troupe * Lithuanian Club * Ballet Folklórico de Aztlán * Mariachi Veritas de Harvard * Ballroom Dance Club * Mizmor Shir (Harvard Hillel) * Bhangra * Philippine Forum * Bulgarian Club * ReckLez (Harvard Hillel) * Candela Salsa and Hip-Hop Dance Troupes (Fuerza Latina) * Society of Arab Students * Caribbean Club Dance Troupe * South Asian Dance Company * Chinese Yo-Yo Club * Spoken Word Society * Chunsa (Korean Association) * Taekwondo Club * Expressions Dance Company * Taiwanese Cultural Society * Gumboots (Harvard African Students Association) * TAPS * Friends of Turkey * Thai Society * Hellenic Society * Un Poquito Más (Concilio Latino) * Holoimua o Hawaii * Vietnamese Dance and Drama Troupe * Inter-tribal Indian Dance Troupe *Wushu Club * Kung Fu Club Harvard Gazette Articles
Cultural Rhythms 1998 Cultural Rhythms 2002 Cultural Rhythms 1999 Cultural Rhythms 2003 Cultural Rhythms 2000 Cultural Rhythms 2004 Cultural Rhythms 2001 Cultural Rhythms 2005 Harvard Foundation Newsletter
Click here to read the Harvard Foundation Newsletter Article about the 2004 Cultural Rhythms Celebration with Artist of the Year, George Lopez.
Interested in Participating?
Performers- All performing groups are required to:
* be sponsored by a SAC member organization.
* attend Intro meetings that are held in early December
* register with the Foundation by the end of December
* submit a group and performance description according to deadlines
* attend mandatory rehearsals throughout February before the show
Volunteers- Students are welcome to participate in the various Cultural Rhythms day activities. These include:
*The Welcome Reception: Each year, the Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year is welcomed to Harvard with an open reception in the Kirkland Junior Common Room. The Harvard University Band performs, and student interns organize skits celebrating the Artist. Volunteers are needed to help write and perform the skits, as well as to gather costumes and other props.
*The Show: Volunteers are needed to help coordinate the performing groups, assist the show directors and stage managers, as well as to sweep the stage and handle props during the show.
*The Food Festival: Between the afternoon and evening shows, The Harvard Foundation sponsors a Food Festival in the Science Center. Various student groups serve native dishes, drinks and desserts for all to enjoy. All SAC organizations are encouraged to participate. In addition, volunteers are needed to help set up and clean up the Food Festival.
If you are interested in participating in Cultural Rhythms 2006, contact us.
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