Virtual Lecture: Music in the Muslim Lands, especially in South Asia
Shehlah Sinan, Masters, Business Administration, Masters, International Relations
Presenting from Pakistan, Shehlah shares from her personal cultural experiences as well as additional study in religion and sacred geometry with traditional masters. The presentation will include a concentration on the genre of Qawwali, a music form very specific to South Asia. Qawwali is Sufi-Islamic devotional music that is sung in Persian, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Bengali.
DATE: Tuesday, May 9
TIME: 10:30-11:30 a.m. CDT
Register for Zoom here: Music in the Muslim Lands
HYBRID PANEL: Omaha’s Karen Community
Moderated by Manger Baw, TLC specialist, University of Nebraska Omaha
Learn from a panel of Karen community members about their experiences as members of refugee families and living in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Karen are an ethnic group from the mountainous border regions of Burma and Thailand, where they are the second largest ethnic group in each country. They have long been subject to persecution and ethnic cleansing by the Burmese government, and many have been living in refugee camps in Thailand for years before being resettled to Nebraska. There are approximately 5,500 Karen living in Nebraska with an additional 300 refugees from other ethnic groups in Burma. Because of the employment opportunity and family reunion, Omaha currently has the largest and fastest-growing Karen populations in the U.S.
DATE: Wednesday, May 10
TIME: 10:30-11:45 a.m. CDT
In-Person: Fort Omaha Campus, Bldg 23, Room 120 A & B
Register for Zoom here: Omaha's Karen Community
VIRTUAL Film & Discussion: My Life in China
Discussion led by director, Kenneth Eng
Writer & Producer of this documentary is Ehren Parks, faculty, Video/Audio Communication Arts at Metropolitan Community College
My father fled the Cultural Revolution in 1966. After risking his life to get to America, he started our family in Boston. But when his restaurant went bankrupt and my mom got sick, he began to feel like he’d failed at the American Dream.
A story of migration is passed down from father to son, as we retrace the precarious steps he took in search of a better life. Ultimately asking the question, what does it mean to be both Chinese and American?
DATE: Thursday, May 11
TIME: 12:30-1:50 p.m. CDT
Register for Zoom here: My Life in China
HYBRID PRESENTATION: Taiko Drum by Kokyo Taiko
Wadaiko, Japanese style drumming, has been described as dynamic, thunderous, and powerful; the sound can be felt in your soul. Kokyo Taiko, based in Lincoln, brings this exciting art of choreographed drumming to communities throughout Nebraska and surrounding states.
With the sound of the drums resonating in the soul of both performer and listener, Kokyo's members savor this connection to their beloved Japanese culture and feel proud to share this amazing tradition with their audiences.
DATE: Wednesday, May 17
TIME: 10:15-10:45 a.m. CDT
In-person, Elkhorn Valley Campus, room 114
Register for Zoom here: Taiko Drum
Oyakodon, a Japanese Lunchtime Staple
Chef Nguyen, Sur La Table Instructor, V. Mertz employee
Join Chef Nguyen to learn about a very popular Japanese dish that features chicken in two ways! It’s quick, easy, and delicious.
Ample samples for participants in this session.
DATE: Thursday, May 18
TIME: 12 noon to 2 p.m. CDT
LOCATION: Fort Omaha Campus, Bldg 22, Room 201 Institute for the Culinary Arts (ICA)
5370 N 30th Street, Building 22, Omaha, NE 68111
Limited participation!! Register by May 15 at AAPI Cooking Demo - 23APCHEF158A (mccneb.edu)
Thanks to Metropolitan Community College libraries for their assistance with film licensing.
Contact bvelazquez@mccneb.edu or 531-622-2253 for more information.
Participation for all programs is free and open to the public.
Connect to the MCC YouTube page to view recordings of previous International/Intercultural Education programming.
Contact interculturaled@mccneb.edu for more information.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Audience members requiring accommodations due to a disability must contact Barbara Velazquez, bvelazquez@mccneb.edu, 531-622-2253 at least two weeks prior to the program.
