| Sunday's Community Awards & Candlelight Vigil |
| Monday's Multi-cultural Luncheon & Community Fair |
| Gary Weisenberg |
| Gary Weisenburg brings 30 years of professional musical experience to his performances. His plays bass, & is also known for his multi-instrumental & vocal abilities. Gary has performed & recorded with award winning artists & currently performs in the Mid-West with the band Code Blue. |
Performers
| Rufus Harris |
Rufus Harris is a singer, songwriter & guitarist. His three album releases
illustrate his musical creativity & varied musical influences. He has
performed throughout the country at festivals Like Arts, Beats & Eats and
more. He is the executive director of The CAMP (Christian Artists &
Musicians Project) – a non-profit organization that assists independent
artists & promotes diversity & faith through the arts. The CAMP
showcases gifted independent artists and provides spiritual enrichment
to the Community through the arts.
illustrate his musical creativity & varied musical influences. He has
performed throughout the country at festivals Like Arts, Beats & Eats and
more. He is the executive director of The CAMP (Christian Artists &
Musicians Project) – a non-profit organization that assists independent
artists & promotes diversity & faith through the arts. The CAMP
showcases gifted independent artists and provides spiritual enrichment
to the Community through the arts.
| William Kennedy, better known as "Banjo Bill" has played the banjo since he was 10 years old. He later learned the guitar and ukulele. He grew up in Woodhaven, Michigan the son of a serviceman from Tennessee and educator from Vietnam. Bill graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Communications. He works at Ford Motor Company when he isn't picking the banjo. He loves to see people have a good time which is why he can always be counted on to pick-up his banjo to delight any audience! His own heritage as Vietnamese, English, Irish & Cherokee provide him a unique perspective & experience growing up in Michigan. He sees great importance in sharing culture & knowledge so people understand one another better. |
William Kennedy "Banjo Bill"
| Song Performed: "Kids for Peace" written by Milford Montessori Students and Marianne Murphy. Montessori was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children's learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a "prepared environment" in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Nearly a century later Montessori education is found all over the world. Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education. |
| Marianne Murphy & Milford Montessori School - Kids For Peace! |
Brianna Baron was born in Lansing, adopted at three months and raised in Grand
Haven. She is a self-taught musician playing piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums.
She is a song writer and vocalist and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the Grand
Haven Chamber Choir. She is also part of a classic rock band that performs at local
and regional events. She performs pop, indie rock and rock and is part of the Spread
the Music Foundation that seeks to provide instruments and recording opportunities
to young aspiring artists who do not have the financial means to secure these
resources on their own. She identifies as a Lesbian and is aware of the need of
greater understanding and equality among all people. She is sad to say that her
parents still do not accept her, which pains her as one of the most important aspects
of her life is her girlfriend of 5 years.
Haven. She is a self-taught musician playing piano, guitar, bass guitar and drums.
She is a song writer and vocalist and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the Grand
Haven Chamber Choir. She is also part of a classic rock band that performs at local
and regional events. She performs pop, indie rock and rock and is part of the Spread
the Music Foundation that seeks to provide instruments and recording opportunities
to young aspiring artists who do not have the financial means to secure these
resources on their own. She identifies as a Lesbian and is aware of the need of
greater understanding and equality among all people. She is sad to say that her
parents still do not accept her, which pains her as one of the most important aspects
of her life is her girlfriend of 5 years.
| Brianna Baron |
Father and Sun is a two-person band, or better yet, a man-and-a-boy band.
The Erbežniks -- Luti and his 10-year old son, Jasen (Yah-sen) -- have
performed publicly a few times in the past year or two. Jasen’s appearance
(and his tie-dye shirt) radiates, thus, the word ‘sun’ in the band’s name.
Notably, the two don’t make a living as musicians: a 4th grader at Kurtz
Elementary, Jasen earns his allowance through household tasks and his dad
teaches microbiology at Oakland Community College.
The Erbežniks -- Luti and his 10-year old son, Jasen (Yah-sen) -- have
performed publicly a few times in the past year or two. Jasen’s appearance
(and his tie-dye shirt) radiates, thus, the word ‘sun’ in the band’s name.
Notably, the two don’t make a living as musicians: a 4th grader at Kurtz
Elementary, Jasen earns his allowance through household tasks and his dad
teaches microbiology at Oakland Community College.
| Father & Sun - Luti & Jasen |
Dance of Sound - This dance is in an Indian Dance form
called Bharatha Natyam. Bharatha Natyam is the most famous
of all Indian Dances. Traditional Indian Dances have been an
important part of Indian culture for many centuries. Indian
dance is a complicated art that will continue to entertain. In this
particular dance, the dancers perform to the rhythm and sound
of instrumental music with intricate footwork combined with
beautiful hand gestures. The movement of their fingers, palms
and wrists and the symbols that they make each mean several
things. The dance portrays movement, expression and
coordination. Dancers: Dipika Krishnaswami, Anisha Moorthy,
Chitra Lakshumanan, Deepti Ohri, Pooja Devarakonda and
Shivani Kozarekar.
called Bharatha Natyam. Bharatha Natyam is the most famous
of all Indian Dances. Traditional Indian Dances have been an
important part of Indian culture for many centuries. Indian
dance is a complicated art that will continue to entertain. In this
particular dance, the dancers perform to the rhythm and sound
of instrumental music with intricate footwork combined with
beautiful hand gestures. The movement of their fingers, palms
and wrists and the symbols that they make each mean several
things. The dance portrays movement, expression and
coordination. Dancers: Dipika Krishnaswami, Anisha Moorthy,
Chitra Lakshumanan, Deepti Ohri, Pooja Devarakonda and
Shivani Kozarekar.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Vandana Krishnaswami Dancers |
| Jowanne Carrigan & Kimberly Landingham |
rights movement, and the key thing that stood out to her at that time
Arbor University with a BA in Business Management and Human years,
she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau.
facilitator of cultural diversity for the YWCA of greater Flint. Jowanne is
she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau.
facilitator of cultural diversity for the YWCA of greater Flint. Jowanne is
facilitator of cultural diversity for the YWCA of greater Flint. Jowanne is
she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau. Arbor
University with a BA in Business Management and Human rights
movement, and the key thing that stood out to her at that time a
Currently residing in Flint, MI, she is married to Gene-o, and is the
Resources. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. After 25
Resources. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. After 25
years, she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau.
a licensed ordained minister, and a professional psalmist/singer as well.
Currently residing in Flint, MI, she is married to Gene-o, and is the
proud mother of seven children and 14 grand children. Kimberly is her
niece. Kimberly Landingham was born in Mississippi. She is a bank
teller and has 3 children, Gonzales, Brittany and Jerry. She is also a
member of the Flint McCree Theater group where she has performed in
several plays and musicals. She attends Refuge Temple Church where
she also sings in the choir.
Arbor University with a BA in Business Management and Human years,
she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau.
facilitator of cultural diversity for the YWCA of greater Flint. Jowanne is
she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau.
facilitator of cultural diversity for the YWCA of greater Flint. Jowanne is
facilitator of cultural diversity for the YWCA of greater Flint. Jowanne is
she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau. Arbor
University with a BA in Business Management and Human rights
movement, and the key thing that stood out to her at that time a
Currently residing in Flint, MI, she is married to Gene-o, and is the
Resources. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. After 25
Resources. She is a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. After 25
years, she is a retired police officer from the detective homicide bureau.
a licensed ordained minister, and a professional psalmist/singer as well.
Currently residing in Flint, MI, she is married to Gene-o, and is the
proud mother of seven children and 14 grand children. Kimberly is her
niece. Kimberly Landingham was born in Mississippi. She is a bank
teller and has 3 children, Gonzales, Brittany and Jerry. She is also a
member of the Flint McCree Theater group where she has performed in
several plays and musicals. She attends Refuge Temple Church where
she also sings in the choir.
Soua Yang (9 years old). Musicians Yang (19
Mrs. Yang's Traditional Mong Dancers Yang
and Soua Yang (9 years old). Musicians and
old) and Houa dancers/musicians reside here
old) and Houa dancers/musicians reside here
in Huron Valley. The terms Hmong and Mong
Mong Dancers of with other related ethnic
minorities. Beginning in the 18th-century,
Hmong groups began a gradual mass
migration to Southeast Asia for reasons both
political and economic.
Mrs. Yang's Traditional Mong Dancers Yang
and Soua Yang (9 years old). Musicians and
old) and Houa dancers/musicians reside here
old) and Houa dancers/musicians reside here
in Huron Valley. The terms Hmong and Mong
Mong Dancers of with other related ethnic
minorities. Beginning in the 18th-century,
Hmong groups began a gradual mass
migration to Southeast Asia for reasons both
political and economic.
| Oxbow Elementary - 3rd & 4th Grade |
| wife. He is in his 2nd year of teaching Spanish at Milford High School. He lives in Commerce Township with his lovely person while influencing others to follow their passion. |