Under the Sun, Moon and Stars is this year's theme for Northern Collegiate’s annual multicultural MAC night, happening Thursday, April 25, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“MAC night is a celebration of diversity, inclusivity, equity, and community,” said Harminder Deol, a teacher-advisor with MAC, the school’s Multicultural Awareness Committee. “It brings the entire community together, where we have food and entertainment from all around the world.”
Reflective of the current student population, this year's event will have food from China, India, France, Iran, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Brazil and Korea.
“For entertainment, we have Latin fire dancers, the meticulous footwork of our ballroom dancers and the Irish School of Dance. We have African, Spanish and maybe Arabian tunes played by our school band. And we have the Lambton County brass Quintet, and Sarnia Legion Pipe Band,” said Safia Deol, student-president of the MAC.
“Through vibrant decorations and engaging activities, we're not only celebrating diverse cuisines, but also embracing the rich tapestry of cultures within our school and community,” said Sue Van Veldhuisen, teacher-advisor with MAC.
“It's a great night to get a taste and also a vision of everybody's culture all in one night,” said Safia Deol.
“It's their grandparents' recipes, you know, passed down to their parents, passed down to them, all homemade with love too, like the food is made with love and pride,” she explained.
As for the theme, The Sun, Moon and Stars, it is from an old reggae song that the students chose because it speaks to what the Multicultural Awareness Club is all about.
“It's a song about justice and equity, and that is what we are all striving for. We want to build a community where everyone is respected, everyone has self esteem, everyone takes pride in their roots and that's exactly what Jimmy Cliff said in his classic song, The Sun, Moon and Stars,” Harminder Deol explained.
There is no entry fee and the event is open to everyone.
The student-led MAC club hosts this event each year with the additional support from teacher-advisor Gail Dolby.
Find MAC Night at 940 Michigan Ave, Sarnia (Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School.) Cash only for food purchases.