Collage of cultures to convene at Community Center

STERLING HEIGHTS — Sterling Heights’ annual evening of international cuisine and entertainment will be coming back to the Sterling Heights Community Center.

The city and its Ethnic Community Committee are inviting the public to the annual Cultural Exchange March 8. Various ethnic groups from around the world will present educational table displays, food, music, dances and more.

Ethnic Community Committee Chair Kelechi Anyaogu, in an email, called the Cultural Exchange a favorite event due to its demonstration of unity, fostering of understanding, and celebration of diversity.

“Understanding starts with exposure, education and shared experiences, and that’s what the Cultural Exchange is all about,” Anyaogu said.

According to Sue Giallombardo, one of the Cultural Exchange’s organizers, while many perennial performers will be back this year, there will also be a few new entertainment acts, such as the Malina Czech Folk Ensemble and the “Nova Nada” Croatian Folklore Ensemble.

“Other than that, we’ll have over 50 table displays and food from about 20-25 restaurants — appetizers and desserts,” Giallombardo said.

Flor Penner and Marissa Radowick coordinate the Philippine American Community Center of Michigan’s Hula Dance Team. Penner said this is the 18th year her estimated 20-member hula group will perform at the Cultural Exchange, and she said this year it plans to do a performance based on the song “Ha’a Hula.”

“It’s an upbeat one, and I think (the audience) will enjoy it,” Penner said.

Penner said the PACCM takes part in the Cultural Exchange because “there’s a lot of Filipinos in Sterling Heights,” and also because of the audience’s response year after year.

“They love it because of the costuming, and it’s not boring,” she said. “So that’s why we’re always invited by Sue every year.”

In addition to the celebration of global cultures, Giallomabardo said the Cultural Exchange will have a unique guest this year. Visit Detroit, a not-for-profit group that promotes tourism to the area, plans to attend and promote the April 25-27 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit. According to Visit Detroit, its “On The Clock Tour” is a free football-themed community engagement program that will run 6-8 p.m. A special van will be decorated for the NFL Draft and will be equipped with TVs and more.

“This is an exciting moment for our region, and we believe that the ‘On The Clock Tour’ will allow all residents to be a part of the experience and bring the Draft to their community,” Visit Detroit President and CEO Claude Molinari said in a statement.

Giallombardo said Visit Detroit will promote the draft and have some hands-on activities in the Community Center’s parking lot.

“They wanted to try to promote it, so we said sure,” she said. 

The Sterling Heights Community Center, 40250 Dodge Park Road, will host the 2024 Cultural Exchange 6-10 p.m. March 8. Attendees are asked to donate at least $1 in order to take part. Learn more by visiting sterlingheights.gov/708/Cultural-Exchange or by calling (586) 446-2470. Learn more about Visit Detroit by visiting visitdetroit.com.