From Staff Reports

Oxnard College will host art, talent and food representing all regions of the world on Oct. 8 at its annual Multicultural Arts Day celebration.

Students are being encouraged to take part in this event and according to Sandra Allen, Multicultural Arts Day committee chair, there will be many opportunities for students to get involved.

“Multicultural Arts Day is important because we highlight special programs on campus,” said Allen. “Students will see the clubs on campus and the cultural aspects that are here among our midst.”

The theme for the event is “the colorful world we live in,” and organizers say it will include a variety of dance, music, art, lectures and food.

“The culinary arts program will be doing a demonstration and a tasting,” said Allen.

Along with other departments on campus, the McNish Gallery will also be having a special exhibition, on Latino heritage art.

Augie Castaneda, former Oxnard College faculty and current Multicultural Arts Day committee member, had the idea for the first Multicultural Arts Day.

“You know, I started Multicultural Arts day way back when, I don’t know how many years ago,” said Castaneda. “I’m retired now, but they asked me to be on the committee, so I said yes.”

Castaneda is in charge of the entertainment, and it includes a long list of talent from a broad spectrum of cultures.

Along with entertainment and lectures from faculty and staff, there will be a book and career fair, according to Castaneda.

The event is from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the quad at Oxnard College.

“We hope students will take advantage of the lectures, and we hope they will participate in going and collecting information about their clubs and campus,” said Allen. “We’re pushing for a higher percentage of student body participation.”

Entertainment list:

New Orleans Jam: John Sam the piano man and his marti gras band

The Danca Mexica dance group

College hip hop, OC college students

The Oxnard Jazz Band

Scottish Dancers