Diversity is our strength
In the Performing Arts Collective (PAC), diversity is celebrated.
Participating in the Multi Ethnic Extravaganza is a perfect example of performance diversity and an opportunity to showcase our members’ talents with the public. Not to mention the chance to catch up with fellow performers, along with friends and family from all over the place!
Rhythmic Raga dancers Anupama Kutty, guest dancer Mayuri Ninave, Neetta Koli, Aswathy Soma, and Sonakshi Sharma
This year the PAC stall helped with fundraising efforts, and also gave us the chance to engage with our broader community.
We offered a wide variety of items, including ethnic clothing and jewelry. The most popular items were the small percussion instruments and inflatable toy guitars (which sold out). As it turned out, my paintings were also popular. What struck me most, was how much hearing the story behind the painted images and interesting items for sale captured folks. People like a good story, something they can connect with.
Thank you to those who did a few volunteer hours for PAC at the Extravaganza - here showing Courtney, Floren, and Jenny managing the fundraiser stall
Much of my own time was spent roving around the venue, talking with people from many organisations, ranging from mortgage and insurance brokers, artists and community health and education organisations, along with a variety of small business owners and cultural societies.
The one thing everyone I spoke with commented on, was how happy they felt seeing so many different cultures and ethnicities represented together in one place.
Marlaina Curtis of “MK Spice” wore a coat she made from a variety of national flags. Each flag represents a part of her diverse ethnic heritage. We compared notes. Apart from her own recent connection to Africa, we share much of the same ethnic heritage. Though, she did say "All humans originally came from Africa." Human movement around the Earth makes most of us immigrants, or descendents of immigrants, one way or another!
One of the visitors to the PAC stall advised us she has only been in New Plymouth for six weeks. She is a writer from the USA, and felt inspired by our collective. I invited her to check out the PAC FaceBook page and website. Two other ladies, from Papua New Guinea, took membership information with them. They remarked that the story of the mother's heart beat is beautiful. The WorldBeat theme seems to be inspiring people.
The importance of relationship building can not be overstated. The chance for collaboration and development in the Taranaki performing arts community relies on meeting with people. Going to where they are, and offering them PAC's unique services. The possibility to teach workshops, and be linked into a performance opportunity network seemed to be what people were most interested in. Hopefully, the conversations and information sharing will result in new members joining us.
Our chairperson, Keri runs into PAC members Tho, Min Kyung, and Clare
At the very least, the collective efforts of PAC committee members and volunteers created positive publicity and new network contacts. More people are now aware of the opportunities and experiences PAC has to offer. There is a place for everyone who wants to be a part of our community - diversity is our strength.
