Under the baobab: Multicultural events abound in Happy Valley
There was something profound, no sacred, about sitting in the second balcony of Eisenhower Auditorium on Holocaust Memorial Day watching the national tour of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Nearly 2,500 watched, no observed, the classic American musical that presents a joyous and poignant celebration of the lives and “traditions” of Jewish people. Set during early 20th century Russia in Anatevka, the play was not about the Holocaust even though the villagers are forcibly expelled by a pogrom. Based on the autobiographical stories of Sholem Aleichem, it centers on Tevye, a milkman, who is struggling to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions as his family is assailed by outside forces. The role of Tevye was brilliantly portrayed by Jonathan Hashmonay, a 2009 graduate of Penn State’s musical theater program.
It is both difficult and important for us to celebrate events like “Fiddler” together. We affirm our support for our Jewish neighbors. In addition to the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh when seven people were killed and six others were wounded, there has been a rise in attacks on Jewish people by antisemitic fascist hatemongers across the U.S. Jewish people who have historically been scapegoated and targeted are justly concerned. The winds must carry our collective commitment of “Never Again.”
The night before, we were invited by Brothers Nasr El Said and Rami Alhellu of the Islamic Society of Central Pennsylvania to celebrate Iftar, a ceremonial meal that ends a fast day of Ramadan. A couple dozen interfaith religious leaders and community activists joined over a hundred of our Muslim neighbors in a meal highlighted by the finest roasted lamb shank I have ever tasted. It was an opportunity for folks of all faiths to fellowship, feast and converse.
The inaugural APIDA Festival took place Saturday at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Organized by the Penn State APIDA Caucus in partnership with the Borough of State College and the PanAPIDA Circle, it featured live performances, cultural displays, food vendors and other activities that highlighted the rich and diverse cultures of the APIDA community.
Adding to a busy multicultural weekend in Happy Valley, the 17th Annual Traditional Penn State Powwow was held at C3 Sports. Organized by Prof. John Sanchez and his family, the Powwow allows the truth to be told about the ancient connections and traditions of the peoples who first inhabited these lands.
The Black History in Centre County Project presented the world premiere staged reading of “Finding Home: Adeline Lawson Graham, Colored Citizen of Bellefonte,” written by Carmin Wong with musical direction by Anthony Leach and featuring Elaine Meder-Wilgus. The School of Theatre closed “Emilia,” directed by Jenny Lamb and featuring Kylee Walter, Kayla Louison, Trinity Lynn Jackson and Emily Presley. The Next Stage Theatre Company presented Mark Twain’s “The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” directed by Meder-Wilgus and featuring Jeff Buterbaugh and Elizabeth Baptista. It will run through April 30 at The State Theatre.
Touch of Africa, which celebrated the fashion, food and culture of Africa, was at the BJC Sunday. Tempest Theatre kicked off this year’s Central PA Dance and Theatre Fest with “Mad Hatter Tea Party.” The Paul Robeson Cultural Center celebrated its 50th Anniversary last Friday. Congrats to the PSU men’s volleyball, the 2023 EIVA champs.
Charles Dumas is a lifetime political activist, a professor emeritus from Penn State, and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for U.S. Congress in 2012.
