Dance show celebrates Addison Trail's diversity
It's not just about showing pride.
For the students at Addison Trail High School, the annual International Fest Dance Show is about opening up to new cultures -- and stumbling through some new dance steps to learn about them.
For more than two months, approximately 170 students have been making costumes and practicing traditional routines from their ancestral countries, such as Albania, Greece, Italy, Poland and India.
But organizers say the festival is unique because students from different cultures perform in each other's native dances.
"I think kids really enjoy sharing," said Daniela Ariano, an Addison Trail reading teacher and the festival's co-sponsor. "They invite friends who are not from that culture to perform with them, and I think that's important to them."
The dance show caps off a weeklong international fest at the high school, titled "The Next Step: Global Harmony." The event includes a week of workshops, guest speakers and activities during school hours that introduce students to topics like Japanese art, debating English as the United States' national language, study abroad experiences and alternative medicine used in other countries.
The fest is celebrating its 20th year and organizers say its popularity continues because Addison Trail's student body remains so diverse.
"We are able to learn about so many different walks of life," said Iridia Nevarez- Niewinski, a dean and co-sponsor of the dance show.
Today's show is expected to draw a crowd of several hundred, since family and friends of the students always pack the theater, along with members of the Addison community.
Proceeds from admission will benefit the charity One Laptop Per Child. This nonprofit organization supplies children in developing countries with specially made laptops.
If you go
What: International Fest Dance Show
Benefits: One Laptop Per Child
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Addison Trail High School, 213 N. Lombard Road
Cost: $5 for adults and $4 for students
Details: (630) 530-3989