I look forward to the Cedar Riverside Multicultural Dinner that is held annually at the Brian Coyle Center. It is an amazing gathering of people from all corners of the neighborhood who come together to share a meal, enjoy cultural performances, and build community. The Multicultural Dinner combines so many things that I love about the Cedar Riverside neighborhood – hospitality, kindness, generosity and diversity all combined together with a dose of controlled chaos!

This year’s event, held on September 18th , was no exception. Despite intermittent rain that disrupted plans to hold the dinner outside in Currie Park, over 400 people attended. They were greeted in the gym of the Brian Coyle Center by a long line of tables filled with food provided by local restaurants. Wonderful aromas and voices in many different languages filled the air. Volunteers, including Augsburg staff and students, stood ready to greet guests and dish out generous portions. People shuttled inside and out as the weather changed. As the rain came, volunteers hurriedly set up chairs in the gym and then dried off tables and chairs outside when the rain stopped. Folks mixed together as they ate and talked. They enjoyed performances including Oromo, Somali, and Native American dance troupes. My favorite performance of the evening was the choir of Korean elders (average age of 87!). The evening ended with a traditional Somali line dance, led by youth from the Coyle Center, with lots of others joining in. What an evening in Cedar Riverside!

Korean Elders Choir performing at the Multicultural Dinner

Volunteers serving the Multicultural Dinner (including Augsburg staff and students!)

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A panel of community organizers and elected officials, moderated by Penny Edgell, will follow the address.

Wednesday, February 28^th
6:00-8:00pm
Hagfors Center for Science, Business, and Religion

This event is free and open to the public.

The post MARTIN OLAV SABO SYMPOSIUM: Are the “Nones” Done with Civic Engagement? appeared first on Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship.

Special guest George Galster, Clarence Hilberry Distinguished Professor of Urban Affairs, Wayne State Univ, Detroit, spoke about issues related to neighborhood sprawl including dynamics, threshold points, and affordable housing. View the  to learn more.

The post MARTIN OLAV SABO SYMPOSIUM: “NEIGHBORHOOD SOCIAL MIX: WHAT DO WE KNOW AND WHAT SHOULD WE DO?” appeared first on Sabo Center for Democracy and Citizenship.