Oregonians For Peace http://oregoniansforpeace.org asiapeace

Oregonians For Peace
http://oregoniansforpeace.org
asiapeace@comcast.net
34 Days For Peace
PEACE FESTIVAL
September 26, 2015, Lancaster Mall, Salem, OR
Ethnic dances and music highlighted the Peace Festival, on September 26, 2015, at Lancaster
Mall, in Salem, OR. It had been organized by Oregonians For Peace.
The Festival started with a performance by Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach, a renowned
Native American Flute recording artist, and four-time Native American music award winner. His
(L-R) Nathan Myerrs, Jan Michael Looking Wolf Reibach, & George Robnett
music is based on the recognition of ‘Unity through Diversity,’ and carries a message of hope for
oneness of humanity.
He was accompanied by Robert Westerly on drum and Jan Munsey on guitar. Both are
accomplished musicians in their own right.
Music by the trio filled the air for full one hour.
Colorful performances of several dance traditions of the Pacific Islands followed. These were
offerings of the “Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Troupe.”
Paradise of Samoa Polynesian Troupe
The troupe is a culmination of efforts by Tasi Tuaopepe Keener to share her cultural
traditions with people of Salem Area. Born and raised in Samoa, and a consummate
(L-R) Tasi & Craig Keener, with their daughter Lisa
performer of Samoan Dances, she has been training young people to perform Samoan and
Polynesian dances since she moved to Oregon in 1999.
A guitar performance by John Meyer came next. A semi-retired software engineer, and
connected with Dances of Universal Peace, he has been playing guitar for over 50 years.
He was kind enough to volunteer his services to operate and monitor the sound equipment
throughout the duration of our Peace Festival.
John Meyer
The sound equipment was provided by our own Curt McCormack, the Vice-Chair of
Oregonians For Peace. He is also associated with the Oneness Coalition, and Salem Peace
Plaza.
Folk dances of Oaxaca, Mexico were next.
Folk dances of Oaxaca, Mexico
Next was a performance of guitar music by Rondalla (Latino Soul), a group of children 7
through 16.
Guitar music by Rondalla (Latino Soul)
These dance and music performers have been trained at the Latino Academy of Education and
Culture run by Amador Aguilar, an expert musician and dance virtuoso.
Amador Aguilar, Founder & Director of ENLACE
Then students of the Portland-based Kalabharati School of Dance entertained people with their
performance of Indian Classical Dances.
Indian dances by Kalabharati students
Indian dances by Kalabharati students
Kalabharati School is run by their gifted teacher, Shivi Vanka.
Shivi Vanka
Finally ENLACE students dazzled the audience with dances and music of Mexico, Peru &
Ecuador.
Dances and music of Mexico, Peru & Ecuador
Guitar music of Mexico & South America by Rondalla Sentimiento Latino concluded the
entertainment portion of the Peace Festival.
Guitar music of Mexico & South America by Rondalla Sentimiento Latino
Besides music & dances, area organizations had set up display tables. They included ENLACE,
Ethiopia, Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), India, Latino Unidos, Multicultural Institute,
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Paradise of Samoa,
Peace Education Program (Silverton), Unitarian Universalist Congregation, United Nations
Association Salem.
ENLACE
Ethiopia (Shetaye Smith)
Fellowship of Reconciliation – Bruce Stock
India (Ranee Baruah, NoorChakravarti,
Kundan Rohila, Taranum Chaudhry)
Latino Unidos (Liuth Cortes, Luisa
Medina, Marisol Ruiz)
Multicultural Institute (Mary Grim)
National Association for Advancement
the Advancement of Colored People
(Marilyn William & Garrett Snedaker)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Roberta Westerberg & Jan
Munsey)
Paradise of Samoa (Tasi & Craig Keener, &
Lisa Dela Cruz)
United Nations Association, Salem Chapter
Several peace and diversity video documentaries were screened in the Mall’s Conference Room.
These included Polly’s Peace; Prem Rawat in Conversation with Mr. Gee; To Light a Candle;
Turbans; One Peace at a Time; Selma-The Bridge to the Ballot; and a Force More Powerful.
The video screening was coordinated by Bruce Stock and Randall Burton.
Bruce Stock
Randall Burton
We appreciate Dr. Suresht Bald, and Noor Chakravarti, who served as MC, and Coordinator
respectively for the stage entertainment offerings.
Dr. Suresht Bald
Program posters were created by Mark Babson.
Some of our spectators were ……..
Noor Chakravarti
“I enjoyed last Saturday's event…The music and dances were great,” commented one person.
“…there was a fair amount of activity at the various tables. The stage and the entertainment
were really good and a lot of people attended each performance,” remarked another individual.
“The performances - which were excellent - well selected and executed” opined still another
person. “I visited the tables and they were great - provided exposure to different parts of the
world and different organizations…The choice of The Mall was good though at times it was a
little noisy. All in all it was a very successful event” said John Meyer.
Participating organizations had a “positive” experience, and agreed to join us next year also.
We could not have done what we did without the support of Bunni Oslund-Fisk, Manager of
Lancaster Mall and her staff.
We are grateful to all who made our Peace Festival possible. Thank you all!
Pritam Rohila
Chair, Oregonians For Peace