International Festival, Jazz, Coming to the Panthereum

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Tech will be awash in the cultures, costumes and cuisines of many countries when it hosts the Inaugural International Festival on
Sunday, Feb. 25, from noon to 6 p.m. The free event will take place in the outdoor Panthereum, located off Country Club Drive and adjacent to Panther
Plaza. A festival highlight will be the second in the five-part Jazz at the Panthereum series.
Jazz at the Panthereum entertainment is the Ron Texeira Trio, featuring jazz vocalist Linda Cole. Other music and dance will be by Javier Molinares and the
Valle Cumbia de Colombia, Colombian dancers; an Andean traditional guitar and wind ensemble; folk dancing by Saudi Arabian, Indian and Caribbean students;
and a bagpiper. Also, a musician will play the Indian santoor, a stringed, hammered dulcimer-type instrument.
Local vendors will sell ethnic food, including the tastes of Mexican and other Latin American cultures as well as Indian and Caribbean cuisines.
Visitors will see displays by the Chinese, Norwegian, Indian and Saudi Arabian student organizations. Students will also offer handmade jewelry and
traditional artifacts for sale.
“We look forward to showcasing Florida Tech’s international diversity,” said Judy Brooke, director of International Student and Scholar Services. “There
will be activities for all ages, including a bouncing house and face painting for children. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the
afternoon.”
The festival is sponsored by Florida Tech International Student and Scholar Services, WFIT 89.5-FM and the Melbourne-Palm Bay Area Chamber of
Commerce. 
(Note: This news release was originally posted Jan. 11, 2007.)