MOSAIC Festival Presents Films on Disability, Race and Ethnicity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2011

For more information, please contact:
Audrey Heller, Artistic Director, Diversity Theater, 361.4469, [mailto:hellera@indiana.edu]
Babita Upadhyay, Special Projects Coordinator, Indiana University Office of Multicultural Initiatives, 856.4929, [mailto:bupadhya@indiana.edu]
Jared Schlemmer, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3406, [mailto:schlemmj@bloomington.in.gov]




Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan and the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources department's Diversity Theatre is hosting the fourth annual MOSAIC Diversity Film Festival February 26, February 28 and March 5. The Festival is a series of free, short films on themes of disability, race and ethnicity featuring live theatrical presentations, speakers and discussion.

"The MOSAIC Festival continues its tradition of giving community members opportunities to learn and embrace diversity, culture and history," said Kruzan. "I would like to encourage residents to take the time to attend one or more of these events to celebrate diversity in Bloomington."

The agenda for the three-day festival is below:

• The festival begins at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 26 at the Monroe County Public Library with films addressing disability, including I Am You, The Collector of Bedford Street and Breakaway. In addition, live theatrical vignettes will be performed by the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington. The morning program is suitable for children in upper elementary grades through adult. Films and live theater will continue until 1 p.m.
• From 1 to 4 p.m., the Indiana University Commission on Multicultural Understanding will host a discussion on issues addressed in the films. A free box lunch will be served. To register for the discussion and lunch, call 349-3228 or register at [http://www.mcpl.info|http://www.mcpl.info]. The registration deadline is February 23. Library events will be held in Rooms 1B and 1C.
• On Monday Feb. 28 at 7 p.m., Two Spirits will be screened at Rachel's Café, 300 E. 3rd Street. Addressing issues of gender identity in the context of contemporary and traditional Native American cultures, the 65-minute film is suitable for teenagers and adults. Indiana University's First Nations Educational and Culture Center is sponsoring this screening. A discussion led by Center Director Brian Joseph Gilley will conclude the evening.
• On Saturday, March 5, films on racial and ethnic diversity will be presented in the auditorium of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures, 416 N. Indiana Avenue. Films appropriate for teen and adult audiences will start at 1 p.m., including The Whole Enchilada, Tales from Arab Detroit, My Nappy Roots: A Journey through Black Hair-itage and New American Soldier. Film discussants include Christie Popp, attorney with the Indiana Legal Services' Immigration and Language Rights Center. Free on-street parking is available during weekends.

Registration is required for the 1 p.m. February 26 event. No registration is required for all other events.

"Diversity Theatre's goal is to promote understanding and acceptance among peoples of differing ability, heritage, nationality, religion, ages and sexual preference," said Festival Co-Chair Audrey Heller. "Our focus this year is on issues of disability, race and ethnicity."

MOSAIC Festival sponsors include Diversity Theatre, the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, Monroe County Public Library, Indiana University Office of Multicultural Initiatives, Mathers Museum of World Cultures, Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, First Nations Culture Center, Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center Library, Indiana University Commission on Multicultural Understanding, and Stone Belt.

Diversity Theatre is celebrating its 27th year of entertaining and educating Bloomington audiences on the value of diversity. More information is available at [http://bloomington.in.gov/mosaic|http://bloomington.in.gov/mosaic].

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