Multicultural Night

All are Welcome-Free to the Public

The 3rd Annual World Cultures Night at the Logan Tabernacle is a unique multi-cultural event which includes music and dance from several different countries of the world.  The opening theme dance, “Color of the Wind”, will be performed by Katrina Kartsone (Miss Cache Valley runner-up).

Representing Saudi Arabia with dancing and song are Feras Alfuwairs, Sultan Aljohani, Ahmed Alghamdi, Nasser Alquahtani, Abdullah Hakki, Mohammed Labani, Abdolmohesan, and Alotaibi.  These performers members of the Saudi Student association at Utah State University.

Representing China is Jennifer Jin who will play a violin solo.

Representing the Dominican Republic with a traditional dance are Carolos Frias, Massiel Ramirez, Geraldine De La Motta, Miguel Then, Ivan Quezada, and Estefania Arias.

Representing India with “Fusion of Western and Classical Dance” are Shreya Garg, Ishika Garg, Diya Garg, Keli, Sibi Siddharthan, Ankit Garg, Ali Tariq, Guari Garg, Sakshi Singh, and Gareema Dhiman.  These kids are from age group starting 4years until 14years and some have been learning dance from Srisurya and Selvi Sidharthan for last few years now.  Srisurya Sidharthan is a talented artist in the field of traditional Indian classical dance known as Bharatanatyam.  She has performed in many venues in the United States as well as the Sri Krishna Temple, Sri Ganesha Temple, Festival of Lights USU, Salt Lake City Public Library for Diwali Celebration. This dance performance has been choreographed by Srisurya and her mom Selvi Sidharthan who is a very good dancer herself.

A second group representing India is The “Bollywood Mash Dance Team who dance at various events held by Indian Student Association from Utah State University.  They are Divya Reddy, Sharavya, KD, Nanda Kishore, and Neetha.

Representing Japan is Melissa Otani-Jensen (soprano sololist) with an ancient Japanese song, “Tress of Hair”.

Melissa Otani-Jensen grew up in Hiroshima, Japan.  She began formal vocal training at age 17. One year later, Otani-Jensen debuted as a soloist with the Utah Valley Symphony. She went on to compete in various vocal competitions, receiving the Utah Award at the Met National Council Regional Auditions and being a featured soloist with the Utah Symphony at Abravanell Hall. Otani-Jensen performed with the Utah Festival Opera Company in the summer of 2010.  In 2012, she was awarded first place in the Classical Singer Vocal Competition, and during her studies at BYU she received the Nancy Peery Marriot BYU Female Singer of the Year Award. After four years of vocal study in New York City, Otani-Jensen recently moved to Logan, Utah and opened the Otani-Jensen Vocal Studio.

Representing Scotland is Mattthew Gilbert  playing a couple of pieces on the bagpipes.  Gilbert fell in love with the bagpipes when he heard a bagpipe band in an Idaho parade. He has been playing for 2 years now and is already part of the USU Scotsman Band. 

Representing Ireland is the “An Tus Nua School of Irish Dance” with Terena Lund, director.  The dance schoold recently merged with Inishfre of Logan.  The school has all levels and ages of dancers.  They love to perform and share the beautiful Irish Dance art with everyone!

Representing Bolivia is Antonio Arce, guitarist and singer.

Antonio is a Quechan Indian from a small village in southern Bolivia.  His parents and siblings now live in Salta Argentina.  Antonio graduated from Brigham Young University and Utah State University and works for the Ute Tribe in Ft. Duchesne, Utah.  

Representing the Navajo Nation are the “Bitter Water Dancers” by the families of Paul and Maggie Israelsen, Duane and April Daw , Casey and Alicia Owen, Tim and Brynne Israelsen, Ryan and Brianne Israelsen,Fletcher and Tiffany Duhadway, Andy and Brianne Murri, and Samual Israelsen.

Paul and Maggie Israelsen from North Logan and their family of 7 children have been sharing their Native American dancing for over 30 years. They are from the Navajo tribe and continue to teach their own families the importance of their culture. Dancing together as a family keeps them close and has given them many cherished memories. 

THE CONCERT AND LECTURE SERIES IS SPONSORED BY  CACHE COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AN INTERFAITH AND CIVIC ORGANIZATION, AND IS ALSO SPONSORED IN PART BY THE RAPZ TAX.  THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS ALLOWS FREE USE OF THE HISTORIC LOGAN TABERNACLE, AS WELL AS PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT.