For an evening of song, readings and open-mike performances, check out "Lectio Live Worlds Collide: An Artistic Celebration of Culture and History" at Notre Dame on Thursday. "Lectio Live" presents differently themed monthly cabarets for students and faculty featuring performances by first-year students.
This month's "Lectio Live" was organized by Ricky Ramon, an academic advisor for first-year students.
The theme of "Worlds Collide" was inspired by Ramon's experience as a first-year student in 1995. Reflecting on his experience as a first-year student, Ramon recalled that "there really were not any venues for students of color to express their artistic talents."
"There was definitely no venue just for first-year students," he said. "I dedicated this Lectio Live to students who are underrepresented here at Notre Dame. I wanted to give them a space to perform and tell the rest of our Notre Dame community why they are special and why their history and culture is important to everyone here."
"Lectio Live" is a coffeehouse setting for first-year students. Students can interact with faculty, participate by performing or relax and watch the musical performances and readings. All "Lectio Live" events are informal and are the first-year version of Acoustic Cafe.
"Worlds Collide" aims to celebrate many of the different cultures found in the Notre Dame community. Any audience member who comes should expect "an evening of entertainment from faculty, student organizations and first-year students that primarily reflect our underrepresented minorities," Ramon said.
In addition to first-year performers, this month features the talents of Voices of Faith, the Filipino American Student Organization, Mariachi ND and Coro Primavera. Ramon asked these groups to participate because "they represent the student population in such a great way."
Voices of Faith is a choir group that has about 40 choristers of different faith backgrounds. The Filipino American Student Organization was founded in 1986 and participates in a variety of campus events to promote an awareness and appreciation of Filipino culture.
For a bit of flavor from Mexico, Mariachi ND will provide exciting and rhythmic instrumental music. Mariachi ND provides flavorful Mexican music featuring violins, guitars, trumpets and vocalists. The music frequently shifts between syncopation and on-beat rhythm, and the various instrumental parts starkly contrast with each other. The result is a dynamic sound representative of the culture and heart of Mexico.
Coro Primavera is a musical group that includes students from Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College and Holy Cross College. Coro Primavera typically sings at various Sunday night dorm Masses in Spanish.
Fourteen first-year students volunteered to perform a variety of unique events ranging from dancing and singing to readings of poetry and short stories.
The monthly performances of "Lectio Live" intimately connect students to each other and to other faculty members. This month's program of "Worlds Collide" celebrates the history and diverse culture of Notre Dame from 8 to 10 p.m. Thursday night at Reckers. The event is free and open to the public.
