Nixa to host first-ever multicultural event as part of city's diversity, inclusion initiative
The city of Nixa is hosting its first-ever multicultural event this weekend, featuring live performances, food trucks and a movie screening.
The free, family-friendly event is Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at McCauley Park, located at 701 N. Taylor Way in Nixa.
Grupo Latinoamericano will open the evening with a 30-dancer performance from 6-7 p.m. Grupo Latinoamericano is a Springfield nonprofit that has brought Hispanic, Latin American and North American peoples together for mutual support since 1989.
The nonprofit educates newcomers about available community services, assists Hispanics adjust into new homes and jobs, maintains the richness of Hispanic culture, teaches English as a second language and provides referrals for legal advice related to immigration issues. Grupo Latinoamericano also has an established scholarship fund to assist Hispanic college students. More information about the nonprofit will be available at the event.
Following Grupo Latinoamericano, attendees may enjoy performances from Cuban singer Fresia Blanco and the Wyandotte Nation, who will be performing a grass dance.
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The Wyandotte Nation is made up of parts of the Tionontati, Attignawantan and Wenrohronon tribes with 7,000 tribal citizens nationwide. The Wyandotte Nation is based in northeastern Oklahoma.
Grass dancing originated as a men's Warrior Society Dance but has evolved over the years. Grass dancers are known for their dancing style and intricate, decorated outfit.
The Celtic Fire Irish Dance Company and cloggers will close out the live performances from around 7:15-8 p.m. The dance company is open to all ages and performs at special events in Springfield.
Throughout the entire night, three food trucks will be available, Not'cho Ordinary Taco, El Rincon del Taco Food Truck and Hart of the Ozarks Icecream Delight.
In conjunction with Nixa's Movies in the Park, the Disney children's movie "Encanto" will screen after sunset. "Encanto" tells the story of a Colombian teenage girl who must face her frustrations of being the only member in her family without magical powers.
The multicultural event is a part of L.E.A.D. Nixa, a diversity and inclusion initiative created as part of Nixa's 2021-25 strategic plan.
In 2020, Nixa's city council adopted the strategic plan, which included a component addressing "hometown spirit." Action plans within this sector include developing a marketing strategy that embraces diversity, implementing at least five new diversity and inclusion initiatives, promoting roundtable discussions with the community and adding programs to welcome new Nixa Utilities customers.
"We're a small but growing suburban town and we have more diversity than you might think," city of Nixa Communications Director Drew Douglas said. "(This event) provides an opportunity for all of us to learn about each other's cultures and backgrounds."
Additional individuals and groups are welcome to join the event's programming. For more information, contact Nixa Assistant City Administrator and L.E.A.D. Program Coordinator Cindy Robbins at 417-722-3785. Contact Robbins by 4 p.m. on Friday.
To RSVP, visit the L.E.A.D. Nixa's Multi-Cultural Event Facebook Event page at fb.me/e/1DfzzCY2C.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: City of Nixa to host first-ever multicultural event Saturday
