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2010 News
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| 2010
PUBLISHED ARTICLES
Summer
Vacation Photos, Mobile Press
Lebanese-American
Club celebrates heritage, Mobile Press
People
& Places, Mobile Press
Celebrating
New Year, Press-Register |
2010
PRESS RELEASES
AN
INDIAN CLASSICAL DANCE RECITAL BY VIDHYA BHAT
MEMBERS
HAVE FUN
AUTHENTIC
DRESS FROM ARMENIA DONATED TO MUSEUM
NEW
YEAR CELEBRATIONS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD
ISRAEL
62ND INDEPENDENCE DAY OBSERVED
MOBILE
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL AWARDS
ANNELLE JEROME SCHOLARSHIPS
|
| |
|
Summer
Vacation Photos
Mobile Press
July 25, 2010 Photo submitted by Estela Dorn

Estela
Dorn made some friends at the Japanese Pavilion at Epcot in Walt
Disney World when the Matsuriza Drummers performed. From left are
Tomoko Yoshikawa, Dorn, Yuko Ishkura and Sachiko Ducetto.
|
|
Lebanese-American
Club Celebrates Heritage
Mobile Press
July 4, 2010
By Jo Anne McKnight
The Lebanese-American
Club of Mobile is a 62-year-old organization that "combines
pure Americanism with the tradition of belief in God, sense of family,
love of heritage and willingness to serve each other," according
to member Robert E. "Gene" Petro.
The federation
of such clubs, chartered in 1931, was formed by first-generation
Americans of Syrian and Lebanese decent.
The club's purpose
is to embrace their heritage and to honor the memory of their ancestorswho
brought to this country a determination to build a good life for
themselves while helping to build a great nation, club members said.
And in Mobile,
one measure of their success can be seen in the many business and
professional endeavors headed by such families and individuals as
the Namans, the Kahalleys, the Zoghbys, the Saads, the Salibas and
the Sudeihas.
Ruby Moore of
Spot of Tea restaurant in Mobile cites as evidence the Lebanese-American
influence and success the fact that, while the group makes up just
1 percent of the population of the city, businesses owned by Lebanese-Americans
racked up 8 percent of the winning spots in the 2009 Readers' Choice
Awards, a poll sponsored by the Press-Register.
Alex Naman Catering,
she said, took first place in catering, Spot of Tea, owned by the
Moore family won a couple of prizes. Gordon Oaks Retirement Community
(Gina Saad) reached the top, and several other Lebanese-American-owned
or operated business placed in the "most popular" in their
categories.
The Lebanese-American
Club of Mobile does more than excel in business, though. Members
have played host to and attended conferences and conventions of
clubs in the Southern Federation. They also support cultural activities
such as the mobile International Festival, often serving as officers
in these groups.
Charity and
philantrhopy are the hallmarks of their community service. Petro
said they provide scholarships to graduating seniors and donate
thousands of dollars to local charities and others throughout the
United States.
Through the
club's charity arm, some $2 million has been raised and contributed
to St. Jude Children's Research hospital in Memphis. The next St.
Jude fundraiser will be a golf tournament at the Grand Hotel this
fall, Moore said.
And locally,
the group has provided support to St. Mary's Home and the Bay Area
Food Bankd, among others.
There are many
social events that keep the generations of Lebanese American families
together - an Easter egg hunt in the spring, mother's Day and Father's
Day celebrations, a summer beach party and various other luncheons
and banquets.
The mobile club
will host the Mid-Winter Conference on Feb. 17-20, 2011. For additional
information about the club, visit www.lacmobile.com
[back
to top]
|

Photo submitted
by Ruby Moore
|
| People
& Places
Mobile Press
Sunday, June 20, 2010
International Festival: The Mobile International Festival announced
recipients of awards from the 2010 Annelle Jerome Scholarship Fund.
Dominique michelle Booth of Grace Baptist Academy, Sydney Kell of
Mobile Christian, Wismadina Latief of the University of South Alabama
and Anton Toding of the University of Mobile each received a $500
scholarship to pursue academic endeavors.
ANNUAL
CALENDAR
Your Guide To The City Through May 2011
MobileBay Monthly
November
Nov. 18-20
MOBILE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
School tour days (by reservation only) Th and
F, open to the public Sa. Sights, sounds and tastes of the world
all in one place. Mobile Civic Center, 401 Civic Center Drive.
470-7730. mobileinternationalfestival.org |
|
|
|
|
Mobile
Press, Sunday, June 6, 2010

|
| |
|
|

Event
info also available in the Travelers 411 Forum! Click
here.
|
Alabama
Business Today Interview with Estella Dorn! Click
here. |
| 2009
PUBLISHED ARTICLES
International
festival shows kids the world, Letter to Editor, Press-Register
International
Festival and emotional experience, Letter to Editor,
Press-Register
Crowds
get mix of culture, cuisine downtown, Press-Register
The
World In Musical Harmony, Steppin' Out
Students
Learn About The Yoruba Culture, Steppin' Out
November
in the South, Southern Living
Mobile
International Festival Celebrates "The World In Musical Harmony",
City News
Festival
brings Harmony to Mobile, Press-Register
Ebony
Escapes! into November, The New York Amsterdam
News (PDF opens new window)
Pre-Thanksgiving
with the Mobile International Festival - Lagniappe
40
Fun Things To Do This Fall, Folio
Mobile
International Festival Celebrates "The World In Musical Harmony",
Bienville Club
A
Festive Scene, Press-Register
Arts
Council Grant, Press-Register
Turkey
Trippers Farewell To Dr. Ficici, The Catholic Week
26th
Annual Mobile International Festival, Mobile Bay
Guide
to Mobile, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Faces
of Impact 2009, Mobile Bay Monthly, April
2009 issue
Thanks
and Kudos To You!, Bienville Club
Barrington
Irving, Letter to the Editor, Press-Register
Young
pilot discusses solo globe-circling flight with students at Davidson
High, Press-Register
Pilot
tells students in Mobile, Ala., about becoming first black person
to fly solo around the world, Press-Register |
MIF
Welcomes The Holiday Season
Freedom
Without Walls – Downtown Rally with a Berlin Wall Replica
to Highlight Historic Events 20 Years After the Fall of the Berlin
Wall
German
Students Visiting Mobile
Museum
of Mobile Celebrates Yoruba Festival
Mobile
International Festival Announces Its 2009 Officers, Board And Chairpersons
Mobile
International Festival Receives a Grant from Alabama State Council
on the Arts
Indonesian Consul Visits Mobile
Mobile
International Festival Celebrates "The World In Musical Harmony"
Eulogy
for Annette Wilhelmy
Bienville
Club Global Cuisine
New
Art Installations at Mobile Museum of Art
A
Talk At An Alma Mater
Mobile
International Festival Awards Annelle Jerome Scholarships
Celebration
of the Cambodian New Year in Irvington
International
Confab in Manila, Philippines
Rescheduled
Capt. Barrington Irving Student Assembly
German
New Year’s Reception at Bienville Club |
International
Festival and emotional experience
Press-Register
Letter to Editor
December 4, 2009
We
are visitors from South Africa on holiday in the United States.
It was our good fortune last month to attend the grand Mobile International
Festival at the Civic Center. We were truly amazed to see the artists
from different countires - the magnificent choir, bagpipes, drummers,
dancers, acrobats, etc.
The
harmony and good will that prevailed, the food stalls, the impressive
items for sale - all contributed to this unparalleled event.
It
was an emotional experience for us to have been selected to participate
in the parade carrying the South African flag. It was a great honor
to be representing our country.
In
this regard we pay tribute to the India Association of Greater Mobile
community, including Sureh Naiker and his family (Ishara, Priya
and Mishka). Dhurgesh Agarwal and others who arranged our participation.
The
cherry on top was attending the International Festival banquet on
Nov. 19 at the Holiday Inn, where we were privileged to meet many
of the dignitaries associated with planning and prepartion of the
festival.
It
was a pleasure to met Estela Dorn, executive director. We commend
her for being at the forefront of a festival of this magnificence
and making things happen.
We
shall always have pleasant and wonderful memories of this great
country, especially the joyous and fun-filled days spent at the
Mobile International Festival.
Jugdishwar
Poonmassy
Aniroodh Poonmassy
Ramesh Ramkissoon
Durban, South Africa
Click
here to view entire letter in PDF format
[back
to top]
|

International
festival shows kids the world
Letter to the Editor
Press-Register
December 10, 2009
Mobile
International Festival was another success. After 26 years, it is
now a byword for a total family-oriented event showcasing the many
cultures from over 70 nations in Mobile.
All
these years, we have touched the lives of children who have attended
to Student Days and those who enjoyed themselves during the Family
Day.
By
now, there must be about a quarter-million children who have been
to the festival.
Imagine
that these children are now grown up and have families of their
own. Consider that many of them have careers that have taken them
to other parts of the world.
Understand
that the festival has been instrumental in opening their eyes to
the world.
This
is a quantitative and positive assessment of the contribution of
Mobile International Festival to the children, who are the future
of another generation. This is a major achievement that all participants
in the festival are very proude of.
We
had performers travel from China, Trinidad and Tobago and Benin
Republic (West Africa) through the efforts of our members.
Sponsors
are important to us, including the City of Mobile, Mobile County,
University of South Alabama, corporations, state arts council and
foundations that supported us all these years.
Estela
I. Dorn
Executive Director
Mobile International Festival
Mobile |
Crowds
get mix of culture, cuisine downtown
Press-Register
November 22, 2009
By DAVID FERRARA
Staff Reporter
Photo Credit: Victor Calhoun
One moment, a small parade of Jamaicans shuffled through the corridors
of the Mobile Civic Center on Saturday, singing and slapping steel
drums.
The next, only
a few paces away, an impromptu Scottish group broke into an accordion
version of "When the Saints Go Marching In," proudly clapping,
foot stomping and kilt wearing.
This weekend,
thousands traveled around the globe without leaving the city limits
for the 26th annual Mobile International Festival.
"They're
learning about their genealogy and the world around them,"
said Walt Lonnborg, a member of the Highlands and Islands Association
of Celtic Gatherings in Gulfport. "I see it as being very educational
and a lot of fun."
More than 70
countries were represented at this year's three-day festival, which
wrapped up Saturday. The event drew as many as 13,000 people Thursday
and Friday, and Saturday's attendance was expected to reach about
7,000, according to Estela Dorn, the executive director of the festival.
As people rushed
past carrying trinkets and apparel from around the globe, Sharon
Reed, of Mobile, watched her daughter, Joyelle Reed, receive a temporary
tattoo along her arm at the India exhibit.
Someone asked
if the tattoo would wash off before church.
"I have
met the minimum requirements for the Catholic Church," Joyelle
Reed said. "The arms will be covered and the hands are clean."
Neither mother
nor daughter have ever left the continent, but they have attended
the festival for the past 10 years.
"It gives
you a chance to travel without the expenses and without some of
the other problems you have with travel," Sharon Reed said.
Jyotsna Varma,
a doctor at the University of South Alabama Children's and Women's
Hospital, moved to the United States from India in the early 1990s,
and soon after joined the festival.
"I want
to display my culture to the world," Varma said. "This
is an excellent platform to promote awareness in the community of
Indian culture."
Indeed, the
inter-continental
atmosphere piqued curiosity: dozens lined up to have their names
written in Japanese for 50 cents. And it created a bit of peculiarity
in which a young man could wear a Vietnamese rice hat over his University
of Alabama visor.
Certainly, one
could not ignore the fact that culture begets cuisine.
The event is
also known, to some, as Mobile's International Food Festival, Dorn
said.
It offered perhaps
the most diverse menu in Mobile. A glance at just some of the edibles:
aush and dolmeh from Iran, empanadas from Argentina, tamales from
El Salvador, samosa from India, rum carrot cake and rum raisin pudding
from Jamaica, gyros and baklava from Greece, cheese wanton and fried
rice from Indonesia, bratwurst and knackwurst from Germany and pollo
frito from Puerto Rico.
All of it was
being cooked and munched on while a Spanish flamenco dancer twirled
or Matsuriza taiko drummers from Japan performed on the arena stage.
"The pride,"
Dorn said, "is in everyone."
[back
to top]
|

Shaun
Hughes, 6, enjoys a snowcone Saturday from the El Salvador booth
at the Mobile International Festival The theme of this year's event,
which was held in the Mobile Civic Center, was "The World in Musical
Harmony."

The
Brazil RX4 Steel Orchestra from Trinidad and Tobago performs Saturday
at the Mobile International Festival in the Mobile Civic Center.
|
World
Full Of Fun And Food
Press-Register
November 20, 2009
Photos by Mike Kittrell

Brittany King,
9, performs a Mexican folk dance Thursday with Las Ninas Bonitas
Dancers during the 26th annual Mobile International Festival at
the Mobile Civic Center. The Festival is open to students today
and Friday. On Saturday, the general public is welcome to tour the
globe. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission is $8
for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children ages 7-15 and free for
children age 6 and younger. Parking at the Civic Center lot is $5
per car.

Above left: Carmen Sibaja serves cuisines from
El Salvador to schoolchildren. Below right: UMS-Wright
Preparatory School sixth-grader Thomas Hendrich, 12, combines cultures
while wearing a hat from Mexico and a Japanese headband.
[back
to top] |
Mobile
International Festival
Celebrates "The World In Musical Harmony"
City News 2009
November 2009
City of Mobile
Surround yourself
with music when you come to the 26th annual Mobile International
Festival. Prepare to have fun as you travel the world on Saturday,
November 21st, at the Mobile Civic Center & Expo Hall from
10:00 am - 5:00 pm. It will bring smiles to children and adlts
as they embark on their Passport to Adventure and experience musical
harmony among nations! See the Parade of Flags and Children's
Chorus during Opening Ceremony.
Your adventure
starts as you enter our world! Visit the continents of Africa,
Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. Make
new friends. Shopping for unique souvenirs is more enjoyable.
Enjoy musical sounds from instruments and learn how music makes
the world sing and dance. have fun at the hands-on-art activities
and Annette's Storytelling/Puppet Room. Visit the David McCann
Art Gallery. This year, learn about pirates by following a Treasure
Map that ends meeting look-alike Capt. Jack Sparrow. Let your
children dress up as pirates for fun.
It is said
that music is the soul of a culture! Non-stop entertainment from
the Lobby, Main Arena and Expo Hall stages will prove this. matsuriza
Traditional Japanese Drummers, Kenya Safari Acrobats, Guitarist
John de Chiaro, Mithril Celtic Band, Get Rhythm with John Scalici,
Aztec Indian Dancer John Jaramillo, Alianza Flamenca Dancers,
Celtic Musician Red McWilliams, McGuire Irish Band, Didgeridoo
Musician Tim Morris, Storyteller Akbar Imhotep, Accordionist Julie
Council, Puppet Arts Theatre, and Beninese musicians are just
a few of the performers!
What is a
festival without scrumptious and delicious food, desserts and
exotic drinks from 31 countires? Head to the Main Arena and the
Expo Hall where you will find a large selection to choose from
that is guaranteed to satisfy your taste! Choose your favorite
beer or wine from three concessions. Enjoy the fusion of international
food and drinks plus non-stop entertainment in what many call
as the incomparable "International Food Fest". Purchase
food and drinks with cash. Food tokens valued at $0.50 each from
previous years are also acceptable. no more lines to purchase
food tokens!
The bigger,
people-friendly mobile International Festival promises a world
of many cultures in an unforgettable must-see family experience
sure to be remembered for a long time.
|
Students
Learn About The Yoruba Culture
Steppin'
Out
November, 2009
The
Museum of Mobile, in collaboration with Mobile International
Festival, presented the second annual Yoruba Cultural
Festival on Friday, October 16.
This
educational event brought students from Title 1 schools
in Mobile County to the Museum of Mobile free of charge.
While at the museum, they learned about the Yoruba,
a significant West African cultural group.
The
Yoruba culture was transmitted to the New World through
the African Diaspora caused by the transatlanticslave
trade. The number of Yoruba brought to Mobile is unknown.
However, African captives known to be Yoruba were brought
to Mobile as late as 1860 on the Clotilda, a slave ship
believed to be the last to arrive in North America.
Their descendants settled in the Plateu area just north
of Mobile known as Africatown. Many children in the
Mobile area are of West African descent, and some are
descended from Yoruba ancestors.
This
year's program included several components. Akbar Imhotep,
a storyteller from Atlanta who sepcializes in African,
American, and World stories, told Yoruba stories and
legends.
Lhatsa
Drums, a local drumming group, demonstrated West African
rhythms. Estella Dorn, President of Mobile International
Festival did a presentation on Yoruba art and culture.
The Museum provided a Yoruba-style masks workshop for
students. In additiona, school groups took docent led
tours of a small exhibit of Yoruba artifacts from private
collections. performances by dancers from Blount High
School were also part of the program.
This
year's program was made possible by funding from the
Alabama State Council on the Arts and was a great success.
Over 400 students attended the event. It is hoped that
the children who came to this event learned that Africa
is not only home to the Yoruba, but also to many other
advanced cultures athat have rich musical, religious
and artistic heritages.
To
learn more about the Yoruba culture, please visit the
West African boths at the Mobile International Festival
at the Mobile Civic Center on November 19, 20, or 21,
2009.
[back
to top] |
November
in the South
Southern
Living
November 2009
ALABAMA
Mobile
Mobile
International Festival, November 21. Mobile has been
a metling pot since the 1700s. This event celebrates
that tradition with foods, music, and crafts of more
than 70 countries. mobileinternationalfestival.org
The
World In Musical Harmony
Steppin'
Out
November, 2009
Surround
yourself with music when you come to the 26th annual
Mobile International Festival. Prepare to have fun as
you travel the world on Saturday, November 21st, at
the Mobile Civic Center & Expo Hall from 10 a.m.
- 5 p.m. It will bring smiles to children and adults
as they embark on their Passport to Adventure and experience
musical harmony among nationals! See the Parade of Flags
and Children's Chorus during Opening Ceremony.
Your
adventure Starts as you enter our world! Visit the continents
of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and
South America. Make new friends. Shopping for unique
souvenirs is more enjoyable. Enjoy musical sounds from
instruments and learn how music makes the world sing
and dance. have fun at the hands-on-art activities and
Annette's Storytelling/Puppet Room. Visit the David
McCann Art Gallery. This year, learn about pirates by
following a Treasure Map that ends meeting look-alike
Capt. Jack Sparrow. let your children dress up as pirates
for un.
It
is said that music is the soul of a culture! Non-stop
entertainment from the Lobby, Main Arena and Expo hall
stages will prove this. Matsuriza Traditional Japanese
Drummers, Kenya Safari Acrobats, Guitarist John de Chiaro,
Mithril Celtic Band, Get Rhythm with john Scalici, Aztec
Indian Dancer John Jaramillo, Alianza Flamenca Dancers,
Celtic Musician Red McWilliams, McGuire Irish Band,
Didgeridoo Musician Tim Morris, Storyteller Akbar Inhotep,
Accordionist Julie Council, Puppet Arts Theatre, and
Beninese musicians are just a few of the performers!
What
is a festival without scrumptious and delicious food,
desserts and exotic drinks from 31 countries? head to
the Main Arena and the Expo Hall where you will find
a large selection to choose from that is guaranteed
to satisfy your taste! Choose your favorite beer or
wine from three concessions. Enjoy the fusion of international
food and drinks plus non-stop entertainment in what
many call as the incomparable "International Food
Fest." Purchase food and drinks with cash. Food
tokens valued at $0.50 each from previous years are
also acceptable. No more lines to purchase food tokens!
The
bigger, people-friendly Mobile International Festival
promises a world of many cultures in an unforgettable
must-see family experience sure to be remembered for
a long time.
Visit
www.mobileinternationalfestival.org or call (251) 470-7730.
Admissions: Adults $8.00; Seniors 65 and over $7.00;
Children 7-15 years, $5.00; Free 6 and under. advance
tickets at $1.00 off from Mobile Civic Center Box Office
at (251) 208-5812.
[back
to top] |
|
Festival
brings 'Harmony' to Mobile
By Lawrence Specker
Press-Register
November 19, 2009
BayWeekend
The cultural treasures of scores of nations will
be on display, and the sounds of their music and the
flavors of their cuisines will be available to every
tourist wandering through.
Assuming
the pirates don't loot all the goodies, that is.
The
source of this wealth? The 26th annual Mobile International
Festival, taking place over the next few days at the
Mobile Civic Center.
Regular
visitors know that the festival's entertainment lineup
more than lives up to this year's main theme, "The
World in Musical Harmony." But this year there's
also a secondary theme, with students being invited
to trace the history of the real-life pirates who inspired
such latter-day fictional heroes as Capt. Jack Sparrow
of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies.
The
festival is open to students today and Friday; Executive
Director Estela Doran and President joe Davis said they
expect groups from as far away as troy, Ala., Montomgery
and Birminghm.
On
Saturday the general public is welcome to tour the globe.
The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; admission
is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children ages
7-15 and free for kids age 6 and younger. Parking at
the Civic Center lot is $5 per car.
The
attractions of the festival are at least threefold.
Firstly,
the festival's members operate cultural booths that
inform visitors about the traditions of the lands from
which they or their ancestors originated. Well over
60 nations will be represented.
Secondly,
many participants also will serve food items representing
their heritages. Food and rink are not included in the
ticket prices Some booth do serve full meals, but a
mix-and-match approach is encouraged and most serve
sample portions for 50 cents or a dollar per item. Davis
said that in general, a person "can eat very well"
for between $5 and $10. Three biergartens will serve
a range of international beers and wines, he said.
Thirdly,
entertainment runs throughout the day on three stages.
Dorn said that this year's lineup includes "our
mainstays," the Matsuriza drummers, representing
Japanese tradition, and the kenya Safari Acrobats. "They've
got a following in Mobile now," Dorn said of the
two repeat visitors.
Most
of the festival's acts are based in the United States,
but many do travel from the nations they represent.
Some local acts appear, such as the Zuri Dance Company
and the Celtic group Mithril. Others on the bill include
the Brazil RX4 Steel Orchestra from Trinidad & Tobago;
the McGuire Pipe Band, representing Ireland; didgeridoo
player Tim Morris; and dancers representing Greece,
India, the Philippines, Iran and numerous other countries.
"Like
I always tell people, music is the soul of the culture,"
Dorn said.
Davis
said the festival is a good time, but it "goes
so much deeper than that. The festival is a family.
It's a family party."
"When
we talk about our members preparing, it's amazine what
they go through," Dorn said.
As
an example, she cited Sivaporn Nimityongskul, co-owner
of the Bangkook Thai restaurant on Airport Boulevard
and a longtime participant. As she returned to the United
States recently, carrying authentic costumes for seven
dancers and two ingers, her unusual baggage caused her
a two-hour delay at customs.
"I
asked the gentlemen, 'What happened, am I on the bad
list?'" she said.
She
missed a connecting flight, but she and the costumes
made it home. The show will go on.
"We're
still practicing," Nimityongskul said recent. "This
year watch Thailand."
[back
to top] |
40
Fun Things To Do This Fall...
Folio
A Community Publication of the Junior
League of Mobile
Holiday 2009
...
22.
Travel around the world in a day at Mobile International
Festival at Expo Hall November 21st at 10 a.m. Food,
entertainment, shopping, art gallery, children's activities
and parade of flags.
|
Pre-Thanksgiving
With the Mobile International Festival
By Andy MacDonald
Lagniappe,
Issue #190
November 03, 2009
Get ready to stretch
those stomachs! The Mobile International Festival is
coming to the Civic Center Saturday, Nov. 21. A mere
five days before Thanksgiving, this is everyone’s
chance to build up a food tolerance for a better Thursday
performance. Consider it a multi-cultural practice run.
The festival (commonly called the “Food Festival”)
runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will contain 30 food booths
and three beer gardens. Countries represented include
Argentina to Vietnam, totaling 20. I would bank on the
fact there will not be any turkey at the Turkey booth,
but I’ve been wrong before.
|
| A
Festive Scene
International Festival presents 'The World in Musical
Harmony'
Press-Register
Mobile
Civic Center Main Arena and Expo Hall will host "The
World in Musical Harmony" during the 26th annual
Mobile International Festival from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Nov. 21.
The
opening ceremony starts with the Parade of Flags from
70 nations, followed by the Children's Chorus.
The
bigger, people-friendly festival will have nonstop entertainment
from the Main Arena, Expo Hall and Lobby stages. Visitors
are invited to explore, learn about different musical
instruments and shop at the cultural exhibits from six
continents.
Visit
the art gallery, have fun at the storytelling/puppet
room and hands-on-art activities. Enjoy delicious food,
desserts and drinks from 31 countries found between
the Arena and the more intimate Expo Hall. Purchase
food and drinks with cash. Food tokens valued at 50
cents each from previous years will be accepted. No
more lines to purchase food tokens.
Admissions
is $8 for adults, $7 for ages 65 and older, $5 for ages
7-15, and free fro ages 6 and younger. Advance tickets
get $1 discount at Mobile Civic Center Box Office. Information,
call 251-470-7730 or visit the Web site: www.mobileinternationalfestival.org.
[back
to top] |
Mobile
International Festival Celebrates "The World In Musical
Harmony"
Bienville Club
Oct/Nov/Dec 2009
Mobile
Civic Center Main Arena & Expo Hall will host the world
celebration of musical harmony during the 26th annual
Mobile International Festival on Saturday, November
21st from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Opening Ceremony
starts with the Parade of Flags from 70 nations and
followed by the Children's Chorus.
Visit www.mobileinternationalfestival.org or call (251)
470-7730. Admissions - Adults $8.00; Seniors 65 and
up - $7.00; children 7-15 years - $5.00; free 6 and
under. Advance tickets at $1.00 off from Mobile Civic
Center Box Office.
Arts
Council Grant
Press-Register
October 11, 2009
Mobile International Festival has received a grant of
$2,985 from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
The 26th annual educational and cultural event presents
"The World in Musical Harmony" on Nov. 19-20 for students
and Nov 21 for maily day at the Mobile Civic Center.
For details, visit www.mobileinternationalfestival.org
[back
to top] |
|
The
Catholic Week
August 14, 2009
Holy
Family Vitale Center was the scene of a grand reunion
of "Turkey-Trippers" to wish Dr. Abdullah
and Emel Ficici a fond farewell as they move with their
children, Kemel and Gulnihar, to Orange County, California.
Pictured with the Ficicis are some of the travelers
from each group and members of the Turkish community
who have served as guides. Front row: Barbara Caddell,
Robin DilSaver, Nancy Johnson, Bea Volkman, Emel Ficici,
Gloria Greenspun, Estela Dorn, Mahin Ghavamian, Paul
and Mary Filben; Back row: Sedat Kacar, Emir Dabak,
Mark Johnson, Osman Kucuk, Dr. Abdullah Ficici, Dr.
Kathleen Orange, Umit Gunebir, hank Caddell, Barbara
Drummond, Meme Finnorn and Perilla Wilson. In honor
of the occasion, Barbara Drummond, spokeswoman for the
City of Mobile, presented Abdullah with a Proclamation
from Mayor Sam Jones pronouncing that day as "Dr.
Abdullah Ficii Day in the City of Mobile." Dr.
Ficici has been instrumental in sending over 50 Mobilians
to his native Turkey over the last three years in five
groups for an enriching cultural and eduational 10-day
tour. many parishes from the area have been represented
including Corpus Christi, Holy Family, Spring Hill College,
St. Ignatius, St. Mary, St. Joan of Arc, the Cathedral,
Christ the King and Most Pure Heart of Mary. He was
also the organizing force behind the successful annual
Dialogue Dinner for Christians, Jews and Muslims for
the past four years. As faculty representative, he promoted
active participation by the Turkish Student Organization
at USA in the Mobile International Festival each year.
Members of this group have also taken part in the clean-up
days sponsored by Friends of Catholic Cemetery and have
annually distibuted noah's Pudding to neighbors and
friends, especially senior citizens in Odyssey at USA
during Ashure. (Photo provided by Perilla A. Wilson)
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BIENVILLE
CLUB

The
presenters & orgainzers are left to right front
row: Brigette Middleton,
Rose Peavy, Sarla Sharma, Ester de Aguira, Estela Dorn
& Kaoru Oka.
Left to right back row: Tim Parker & Chris Barraza
Bienville
Club recently hosted a Global Cuisine event that was
collaborated between mobile Area Young Professionals
Alliance, mobile Bay Young Professionals and Mobile
International Festival.
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Guide
to Mobile
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce

FALL
Mobile
International Festival: Food, culture and entertainment
from around the world - 470-7730 or www.mobileinternationalfestival.org
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26th
Annual Mobile International Festival
Mobile Bay

8
a..m. - 2 p.m. Th-F Students Days.
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sa. Family Day, open to the public.
Art, music entertainment, ethnic cuisine. Mobile Civic
Center, 470-7730 mobileinternationalfestival.org |
| Letter
to the Editor
Press-Register
May 4, 2009
Pilot
committed to Mobile students
In
February, I had the opportunity to inspire hundreds
of students at the Mobile International Festival, where
I discussed my historic flight around the world. I want
to express my gratitude for the opportunity to work
with the Mobile community.
In
2007, I became the youngest person and the first black
person to fly solo around the world. My goal is to not
only motivate students but also to challenge them to
pursue their dreams.
Many
students are intimidated by science, technology, engineering
and mathematics. I certainly have the attention of today's
young people, and thanks to the Mobile International
Festival and Teledyne Continental Motors, we are getting
young people engaged.
I'm
proud to be a friend of Mobile, and I look forward to
continuing to help educate the future leaders of tomorrow.
BARRINGTON
IRVING
President
and Founder
Experience
Aviation
Opa-locka,
Fla.
|
-Bienville
Club newsletter |
| Young
pilot discusses solo globe-circling flight with students
at Davidson High
By
BRENDAN KIRBY
Press-Register
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Barrington
Irving got a scholarship to play football at the University
of Florida, which would have been a ticket out of his
inner-city Miami neighborhood.
He turned it down — to wash airplanes.
Everyone thought he was crazy, Irving told a group of
students Friday at Davidson High School in Mobile. A
few years later, he became the youngest person and the
first black pilot to fly solo around the world.
"I like to do things people say I can't do,"
he said.
Irving, now 25, gained international attention in 2007
when he made the 97-day journey in a single-engine Columbia
400 plane. His second-to-last stop before returning
home to Miami was in Mobile, where Teledyne Continental
Motors built the engine that it donated to the plane.
Irving's Friday talk drew students from area middle
schools, high schools and the University of South Alabama.
Several companies, including Teledyne, and the Mobile
International Festival, served as event sponsors.
Giving up a football scholarship might have seemed unwise
at the time, Irving said. But he stressed the importance
of taking the long view of life.
Doing volunteer work to make contacts, Irving received
other kinds of scholarships that helped pay for his
$6,000 pilot's license at age 19.
Another important lesson, Irving told the students,
is to have faith in yourself.
The Kingston, Jamaica, native said he gave little thought
to aviation until a chance encounter with a United Airlines
pilot. The pilot asked him whether he'd ever thought
about learning to fly at plane.
Irving, just 15, told the pilot that he probably wasn't
smart enough.
But the conversation stuck with Irving. He said he was
surprised to meet a commercial airline pilot who was
black.
After earning his license, he said, he won a scholarship
to complete his pilot training. In 2003, he founded
Experience Aviation, a nonprofit group that works with
inner-city, minority youths to promote careers in flying
and aerospace.
Irving said the cost of flying around the world, in
direct cash and in-kind support, totaled $1.2 million.
He built the plane with donated parts, and told the
students that one of his first trips was to Mobile to
persuade Teledyne to give him an engine.
He said he drove to Mobile in a rented car and managed
to get a five-minute sit-down with the company's top
executive.
Irving said that his around-the-world adventure covered
25,000 miles and 145 flight hours. He made 27 stops
in 13 countries, including Greece, Italy, Egypt, India
and Japan.
His flight included a snowstorm in Canada and a sandstorm
17,000 feet above Saudi Arabia.
After it was all over, Irving said, he was flooded with
job offers. He said he turned down every one so he could
focus on Experience Aviation and work with young people.
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Students
from Davidson High School and Denton Middle school
receive autographs from Barrington Irving, who is
the youngest person and first black person to fly
solo around the world, Friday at Davidson High School
Auditorium in Mobile. Photo credit: Kate Mercer/Staff
Photographer
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Pilot
tells students in Mobile, Ala., about becoming first
black person to fly solo around the world
By Brendan Kirby
February 20, 2009
Press-Register
MOBILE, Ala. -- Barrington Irving got a scholarship
to play football at the University of Florida, which
would have been a ticket out of his inner-city Miami
neighborhood.
He
turned it down -- to wash airplanes.
Everyone thought he was crazy, Irving told a group of
students at Davidson High School in Mobile this morning.
A few years later, though, he became the youngest person
and the first black pilot to ever fly solo around the
world.
"I
like to do things people say I can't do," he said.
Irving, now 25, gained international attention in 2007
when he made the 97-day
journey in a single-engine Columbia 400 plane. His second-to-last
stop before returning home to Miami was in Mobile, where
Teledyne Continental Motors built the engine it donated
to the aircraft.
The company was one of several sponsors of Irving's
talk, which drew students from area middle schools,
high schools and the University of South Alabama. Several
other companies and the Mobile International Festival
also sponsored the talk assembly.
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Barrington
Irving, shown before making his historic solo flight
around the world in 2007, spoke to a group of students
in Mobile on Feb. 20, 2009.
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