Classical Dancers of Wat Amphawan of America

Travel around the world in just one day–and you don’t even have to leave Murfreesboro to do it. Thanks to the Murfreesboro City School System and its partners, ’Boro International will be at Cannonsburgh Village on Saturday, Sept. 10.

’Boro International will start at 10 a.m. that day with a community-wide flash mob singalong to “We Are the World.” Linell, one of the event’s founders and an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at Reeves Rogers Elementary, urges everyone to come sing along during the children’s Parade of Flags.

This multi-cultural festival is sponsored by Murfreesboro City Schools in partnership with MTSU, the Confucius Institute and Murfreesboro Parks and Rec. ’Boro International began as a group of like-minded individuals who came together with the hopes of establishing a community-wide, multicultural celebration.

The festival will consist of performances, vendors and booths to exhibit history and culture from countries around the world. Exhibit booths will be from Norway, Peru, China, Thailand and Laos, Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea and other countries.

June LaGreen – Harriet Tubman storyteller

Enjoy authentic dishes from Mexico, India, the Middle East and other parts of Asia, while crafters and entertainers will represent most regions of the world.

“I am thrilled at the wonderful array of ethnic foods, crafts and performers participating in the ’Boro International Festival this year,” Linell said.

One performance group to look forward to is the Dok Bua Classical Dancers of Wat Amphawan of America. The group consists of young members of the Buddhist temple on Barfield Crescent Road. The dancers, led by instructor Kaitlyn Thayvy, perform traditional dances that originate from Thailand and Laos. When Thayvy decided to start the group, she did so to pass on traditional Thai/Lao dancing to the present generation so they won’t forget who they are and where they come from.

“Old traditions tend to die the more we move into future times and a lot of Thai/Lao children are not interested in traditional things,” Thayvy told the Pulse. “I honestly would say, these girls are some of the few that still like to uphold traditional Thai/Lao dancing within the community.”

The girls have bonded together throughout the weeks of practice and “developed a sisterhood these past months,” said Thayvy. “It’s definitely a big day to them whenever we get a chance to perform.”

While these girls dance and other live performances go on, booths will be set up for international cuisine, arts and crafts, fashion and children’s activities.

Among the vendors will be Ten Thousand Villages. The fair trade business sells crafts and handmade goods with a company vision that one day all artisans in developing countries will earn a fair wage, be treated with dignity and respect and be able to live a life of quality. This is just one of the festival vendors that will be making sales to make a difference. The community can come see the crafts and make purchases throughout the day.

Tena Bailey, an ESL teacher at Reeves Rogers Elementary and one of the organizers of this event, wants everyone to come to the ’Boro International Festival.

“We want everyone to feel welcomed and hope to have attendees from young to old,” said Bailey. “This festival is an opportunity to experience diversity in a way that broadens our horizons and builds bridges.”

The festival will have a little bit of something for all ages. So, to demonstrate your support, show up and enjoy the journey around the world.

Carlos Enrique

’Boro International Stage Schedule:

10 a.m. – Parade of Flags / “We Are the World”
10:15 a.m. – David Schmidt’s Welcome Speech
10:20 a.m. – Dragon/Lion Dance
10:30 a.m. – Symbolic Painting of Dragon’s Eyes
10:45 a.m. – Indian Dance
11 a.m. – Master Park’s Tae Kwon Do group
11:15 a.m. – Sohil Albakri on Oud
11:30 a.m. – Thai Spice dancers
11:45 a.m. – Drum Circle
12:15 p.m. – Rezvan’s Iranian Dance group
12:30 p.m. – Mei Han Chinese instrumental group
12:45 p.m. – Folklore Latin Dancers
1 p.m. – Korean hip-hop group
1:15 p.m. – Harriet Tubman storyteller (June LaGreen)
1:30 p.m. – Panamanian Drummer: Carlos
1:45 p.m. – Palestinian Dancers
2 p.m. – Classical Dancers of Wat Amphawan of America
2:15 p.m. – International Fashion Show
2:40 p.m. – Closing speech
2:50 p.m. – Grand Finale, MTSU Choir