Mobile International Festival

Founded in 1982, the Mobile International Festival is meant to share the many cultures of the Mobile, Alabama, community with the public. The festival begins with an opening ceremony and a parade of flags. The Mobile Civic Center houses native dancers, costumes, crafts, musical concerts, acrobats, martial arts, puppet theatre, and cuisine from such countries as Japan, Korea, Ireland, Kenya, China, Greece, Panama, Indonesia, Mexico, Nepal, and India. Visitors are given a “passport” when they enter the festival and collect a stamp as they visit each country’s cultural exhibit. Discuss

Skiffle

Skiffle is a genre of music incorporating blues, folk, jazz, and country influences, but performed using homemade instruments. Though skiffle performers sometimes use banjos or guitars, they also make use of washboards, jugs, tubs, and comb-and-paper kazoos. Skiffle originated in the US in the early 20th century before spreading to the UK. By the late 1950s, there were as many as 50,000 skiffle groups in the UK—including the band that would become The Beatles. What was the group’s name? Discuss

Opening of the Underground Caves Day

The end of World War II is marked annually by the people of Butaritari Island (northern islands of the independent republic of Kiribati). Each year, they open the caves that were built to shelter them during WWII. Accompanied by a celebration, the event takes place on the anniversary of the day the caves initially were opened after the war ended in 1945. The event’s main activities take place in Ukiangang village on Butaritari Island, featuring singing, dancing, feasting, and indoor and outdoor games. Discuss