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Arts & Entertainment

Sage Hill Brings World Culture to Newport Beach

The 11th annual Multicultural Fair took place over the weekend at Sage Hill High School.

Some of the world’s most diverse cultures brought a worldly feel to Newport Beach in a festival of ethnic music, dance and food.

Sage Hill School's 11th annual Multicultural Fair was held Saturday. This year's festival provided guests with diverse food and clothing choices from around the world also helped raise money to benefit global community service organizations such as Vision Village -- which donates eyeglasses to disadvantaged youth-- and Krochet Kids International, which sells hats made by women in Uganda and Peru and to help them escape poverty.

“It feels really great to help these women out,” said Celeste Brodereick, a tenth  grade student at Sage Hill. “We volunteered because we were interested in fashion but we could also advocate for their cause.”

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Festival-goers were treated to food and desserts from countries around the world including Argentina, India, Korea and New Zealand. In addition, the festival offered booths which showcased traditional ethnic garments, some passed down from past generations.

“[These cultural booths] represents their everyday life,” said Liz Patel, Sage Hill parent and Indian booth volunteer. “It’s a very authentic experience for everyone.  Some of these clothes come from their parents and grandparents.”

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Traditional music and dance was played freely throughout the day.  Performances by Mariachi Band Los Palmeros got the crowd on their feet to dance to Mexican tunes—even giving the crowd a modern homage to a few modern rap songs.

Sage Hill’s Persian Dance Group was also a crowd favorite, moving their hands and hips to traditional Persian music while wearing colorful garments.  They performed a modern version of dance titled Baba Kaaram.

“We have all been working since September to bring everything together,” said Sage Hill Parent and Persian booth facilitator Faye Hezar.  “The [Persian Dance Group’s] clothing was custom made by their parents.

The festival also provided a stage for Chinese lion dancers, Irish dancers, Bharatanatyam dancers and British, American folk, Motown and Italian aria performances by Sage Hill students.

“The teamwork that came together always surprises me,” said Naz Haidearli, Sage Hill parent.

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