Culture festival aims to strike unanimous chord

Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

The Mexico Vivo Dance Company and other local Latin dance groups will perform Saturday at the County Government Center in an effort to raise awareness for peace and unity in Las Vegas communities, as well as raise funds for local nonprofit organizations.

The Arts in the Community/Family of Unity festival, "Ollimpaxqui (Joyful Movement)," is being presented by the Nevada Youth Alliance. Folk dancers from Mexico, Latin America and Europe will be featured as well as food vendors, artists and representatives from local nonprofit organizations.

In addition to Mexico Vivo dancers, others scheduled to perform at "Ollimpaxqui" include the musical group Latin Vida, the American Flamenco Theater, singer Bernadette Miller, and the Performance Dance Ensemble. County Commissioner Dario Herrera will serve as master of ceremonies for the event.

"It's a pretty eclectic event," said David Osman, founder and chairman of Arts in the Community/Family of Unity.

The festival began last year as a fund-raising effort for Nevada Domestic Violence Prevention Council, a statewide nonprofit council that works to prevent domestic violence.

It immediately expanded to include a cultural-awareness component when the Arathi School of India Dancers stepped up to perform at the organization's first performance, Osman said.

Three-hundred people attended last year's event, and $1,000 was raised for the Nevada Domestic Violence Prevention Council.

Proceeds from this year's event will benefit Child Haven, which provides shelter and care for abused, abandoned and neglected children; the Clark County Parks and Recreation scholarship fund; Nevada Domestic Violence Prevention Council; and Southern Nevada Area Health & Education Center.

Osman said he hopes people will walk away from the event with a sense of community and tolerance for others.

"We're trying to bring family unity through the arts," Janet Kelly, coordinator of the event, said. "And each year we'll honor a different culture."