OU to celebrate culture, history with 2010 Hispanic Celebration

Oakland University’s 2010 Hispanic Celebration, “Celebrating Bicentennial Independence,” will kick off on Monday, Sept. 13, with an opening ceremony from noon to 1 p.m. in the Oakland Center Pioneer Food Court. The ceremony will include a Mariachi band, along with an array of Hispanic desserts and sweets and other giveaways.

Festivities will continue with a 200th Anniversary Independence Day Celebration from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16, in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms. Along with celebrating the independence of Mexico, the event will highlight the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Venezuela. The event features live music by DJ Sabor and special performances by Ballet folklórico de México, Merinera & Tondero and Omar y Ricardo Berrocal. Refreshments will be served.

Additionally, volunteers are needed for a community service project starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Hispanic Outreach Center in Pontiac, where everyone is invited to help prepare the Veggies Community Garden for fall.

The OU community is invited to attend a spirited debate on immigration from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 27, in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms. The discussion will be moderated by Dionnie S. Wynter, Esq., assistant director for the Center for Ethics, Service and Professionalism at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. A group of esteemed scholars and professionals will take part in the debate, including several OU faculty members and practicing attorneys from around the area.

The celebration will conclude Wednesday, Oct. 1, with karaoke by DJ Sabor, salsa lessons and a showing of Oscar-nominated film “El Norte” in Spanish with English subtitles. The celebration also will include arts and crafts, lotería (Mexican bingo) and lots of food, friends and fun.

The 2010 Hispanic Celebration is co-sponsored by the Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Center for Student Activities, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Department of University Housing, Honors College, Oakland University Student Congress, OU Spanish Club and Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

For more information, or to request special assistance, contact the Center for Multicultural Initiatives at (248) 370-4404. For a detailed listing of events, view the program flyer.