Displays, dance offer glimpse of Middle East

Students walking into the Michigan Union Ballroom today may be transported to distant cultures - at least for a little while.

"The original idea was to give an opportunity to travel to a country you would not normally see," said LSA sophomore Reza Breakstone, a member of the Persian Students Association and an organizer for the event.

The first ever "Tour of the Middle East" includes Persian, Armenian, Turkish and Arab cultural displays and performances from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m and from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The American Movement for Israel also was invited to participate but was unable to because of a lack of resources, Breakstone said.

"The situation in the Middle East is moving towards better cooperation between the Israelis and the Arabs and we really wanted to reflect that on campus," said LSA Senior Aiman Mackie, an organizer from the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee.

"Even if the situation wasn't good in the Middle East, we would want to come together," Breakstone added.

The event is cultural in nature, not political, said LSA junior Katy Pearce, an organizer from the Armenian Students Association.

The 12 students on the planning team described the event as a Middle Eastern bazaar, or marketplace, with informational displays, traditional outfits, pictures, flags and artwork. Cultural performances are planned for every hour.

"You normally hear all of the politics. This is a chance to see the real human aspect of the Middle East: What does it sound like, what does it taste like, what does it look like?" Mackie said.

The sounds will be of traditional instruments such as the Tableh, a small hand drum, Santoor, an Iranian string instrument and 'Aoud, an Arab folkloric guitar.

The Habibi Dance Troupe, a professional dance group from Lansing, will be performing during the celebration. The members perform and explain various dances from several countries, including Lebanon, Morocco and Iran.

"It's very expressive because all the dances have stories and messages behind them," said Pearce, who has seen the troupe perform.

In addition watching to cultural dances, students will be able to participate in contemporary dance workshops from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Students will have the opportunity to learn such dances as Dapkeh, a Lebanese line dance, and Bandari, a South Iranian dance.

"This is the first time, on our own accord, that all of the groups have come together," Breakstone said.

Pearce said that planning the event has been educational for those involved.

"The goal is to educate ourselves and the University community, to work on stereotypes and try to expand everyone's knowledge of this region and its cultures," Pearce said.

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