15th Annual Unity in Diversity Concert
Saturday, November 8, 2008 @ 7:30 P.M.
Arden Theatre, St. Albert Place,
5 St. Anne St.
Poster
The evening will include performances by:
- The Plain Janes
–
Three talented sisters who sing and play banjo, mandolin and guitar.
They have performed at the Blueberry Blue Grass Festival in Stony Plain and at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival in 2008. They originally performed under the name "The Vissia Sister"and now they call themselves "The Plain Janes" a tribute to their home town of Stony Plain. - Illusions Rhythmic Gymnastics – A rhythmic gymnastic group from the Chinese Cultural Centre in Edmonton. They have been trained in traditional Chinese dance and gymnastics by both a teacher from China and local teachers. They perform often for Chinese New Year Celebrations and other public events Their dance routines are colourful and energetic.
- Asante – A dynamic group of dancers and drummers with roots in Africa. Their enthusiasm and sense of rhythm will amaze you. They performed at the Unity in Diversity Concert last year and delighted the audience.
- Polish Dancers – Individuals and families from Poland first moved to Alberta in 1895 bringing with them their rich culture of music and dance. Their colourful costumes and traditional dances are shared at the Heritage Festival and many other celebrations.
- Ismaili Dancers
- Hip Hop group
- Four Corners – Featuring saxophonist Jonny McCormack of St. Albert
Refreshments will be served in Progress Hall next to the lobby at the conclusion of the concert.
Tickets are available at Ticketmaster* (780-451-8000) or
the Arden Theater (780-459-1542)
$10.00 *plus agency fee
Unity in Diversity - A Spiritual Goal
Bahá'u'lláh, Founder of the Baha'i Faith, has revealed that the true unity of the human family can only be achieved through unity in diversity, which means the acceptance and respect for differences of culture, race, sex, age, education, class and individuality. This principle is a necessary complement to the concept of oneness, because without it unity could lead to sameness and conformity.
Elaborating on the implications of this pivotal principle of the oneness of humankind, the Baha'i International Community states: "World citizenship begins with acceptance of the oneness of the human family and recognition of the interconnectedness of the nations of 'the earth, our home.' While it encourages a sane and legitimate patriotism, it also insists upon a wider loyalty, a love of humanity as a whole. It does not imply abandonment of legitimate loyalties, the suppression of cultural diversity, the abolition of national autonomy, nor the imposition of uniformity. Its hallmark is 'unity in diversity.' World citizenship encompasses the principles of social and economic justice, both within and among nations; non-adversarial decision making at all levels of society; equality of the sexes; racial, ethnic, national and religious harmony; and the willingness to sacrifice for the common good. Other facets of world citizenship - all of which promote human honor and dignity, understanding, amity, cooperation, trustworthiness, compassion and a desire to serve - can be deduced from those already mentioned." [1] Learn more »
Each year, to both celebrate and raise awareness of this principle, the St. Albert Baha'i community hosts a Unity In Diversity Concert.
Previous Events - In the News . . .
Over 450 attend Unity in Diversity Week celebration
Isokan Afrika lights up St. Albert's Arden Theatre
[Photo by Art Breier]
ST. ALBERT, AB, AND AJAX, ON, 19 November 2004 (CBNS) -- Celebrations taking place across Canada last week exemplified the spirit of Unity in Diversity Week, reinforcing the principle of the oneness of humankind, a tenet central to Bahá'í teachings and now being increasingly embraced by the general public.
The community of St. Albert, Alberta, staged a spirited evening of music and dance at Arden Theatre on November 12th. Among the artists performing before the over 450 Albertans in attendance were a Filipino-Canadian dance troupe, a traditional African drumming and dance group, First Nations youth dancers, a classical pianist, and an accordion quartet.
One of the clear highlights for the near-capacity crowd, though, was the performance of singer Heather Hutchison, whose original compositions opened the evening on a touching note. Hutchison, a visually-impaired high-school student, brought the theme of diversity into sharp relief for the audience.
"I think [the audience] really liked Heather," says Renie Zeitz, one of the organizers of the event, "the fact that she's gone through so much and she's had so many challenges in her life. She's an honours student and she's learning to walk with a white cane and to read braille, she's taught herself Spanish, she's made her own website. She's quite an amazing young woman, and I think people really liked that."
A member of Rainbow Spirit
First Nations Dancers rivets the crowd
[Photo by Art Breier]
Unity in Diversity Week, traditionally held during the second week of November, was inaugurated in 1992 by the Bahá'í community of Canada as a festival that Canadians could adopt in their desire to celebrate diversity as an integral part of a healthy, progressing society.
In Ajax, Ontario, festival organizers invited Mayor Steve Parish to proclaim Unity in Diversity Week in Ajax.
Michelle Ostadi, a member of the Ajax Bahá'í community and the Culture of Peace Committee at her high school, formally extended the invitation to Mayor Parish at the town council meeting, citing the festival as an opportunity "to help build positive relations among all Canadians, to strengthen equality for all people and to promote the eradication of all forms of prejudice in Canada."
Fellow student Justin Mohammed, who joined Ostadi in the presentation, provided an overview of how the Culture of Peace Committee at Ajax High School has promoted diversity through service projects and public awareness campaigns and how youth throughout Ajax have been supporting diversity initiatives over the past several years.
Mayor Parish gladly proclaimed Unity in Diversity Week for the town of Ajax and presented the delegation with a copy of the declaration.
"Unity in Diversity Week celebrates diversity in its broadest sense," said Mayor Parish, reading the declaration before the assembled council and audience, "including race, gender, age, class or culture, differences of ability and disability, education, wealth, neighborhood, or temperament. Its purpose is to help build positive relationships among all Canadians."
A public forum took place simultaneously at the Ajax public library, in which representatives of various community organizations discussed the importance of diversity.
[1] "World Citizenship: A Global Ethic for Sustainable Development". A statement by the Baha'i International Community to the 4th Pacific Islands Leaders Conference, based on a concept paper by the same name presented to the 1st session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, 14 June 1993.