A lot of different people pass

the front desk of the Fayette County Public Library each year. From children

to grandparents, the desks and shelves are visited by a variety of patrons

who all share one thing in common, their diversity. Fayette County Library

Director Chris Snell, along with her staff, has been honoring that diversity

for several years.

The sixth annual Blended Heritage

Celebration entitled "We're All in this Together" is being

held on two evenings, Feb. 25 and Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the library in

Fayetteville. The celebration showcases local talents that highlight the

customs and cultures of other lands. "This is an opportunity to learn

to love and embrace each other." Chris Snell pointed out.

The genesis of her idea came

during a Black History lecture in Griffin. The audience for the event

was mostly African American except for two white ladies from Iowa. Afterwards,

Snell spoke to them and engaged in a discussion about the many things

they had learned that evening. Eventually the subject grew to include

other cultures and the possibility of widening the scope of the historical

venue.

The opportunity came when Chris

became the Director of the Fayette County Library and ran the idea past

some of her staff.

"We are a free library

that disseminates so much information," she said.

Giving the people of Fayette

County a chance to share their stories and traditions is a natural extension

of the services that the library provides.

With the help of the Friends

of the Fayette County Public Library, the two nights of "entertainment,

enlightenment and inspiration" are free to the public and refreshments

will be served. Snell asserts that the events help people learn to respect

other cultures and promote better communication between the races.

"We learn what food they

like to eat, what clothes they like to wear and it makes us more accepting,"

she added.

Soprano Maya Hoover, a professor

at Spivey Hall will perform "a collage of works by composers of various

heritages" with an emphasis on Jewish and Latin American composers.

Hoover is an accomplished performer, teacher, clinician, music education

philosopher and author. She performs at the library Feb. 25.

The lineup for Feb 27 is somewhat

more extensive and will feature music, dancing and poetry. Local author

Dr. Ferrol Sams will speak, touching on his own works and the works of

famous African Americans such as W.E.B. DuBois and Frederick Douglass.

Violinist Saikat Karmaker will

perform as will actress and singer Joanna Maddox. Poet Collin Kelley is

also slated to attend. Flutist Sarah Spann, Soprano Chelsea Cook and Pianist

Sherri Bowers are on hand to add to the variety of musical selections.

Thai dancer Saiunya Sunanont

is also contributing her talent to the celebration. And if that were not

enough, African drummer and dancer Kengmo of Cameroom will perform.

"What we look at is the

heart, getting to accept you for who you are, to recognize your tapestry

of excellence," Snell said.

What-Blended Heritage Celebration

When-Feb.25 and 27

Where-Fayette County Public

Library, Fayetteville

Time-7 p.m.

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