WHAT:
Refugees living in Rochester will share traditional cultural practices with the public during programs on March 10 and 17 at the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC). Organized by the New York Folklore Society, these events are the result of the New York State Council on the Arts’ Upstate Folklife Survey and Program Development Initiative, a year-long effort to document and present the everyday traditions of Monroe County carried out by folklorist Hannah Davis.
Creating Refuge: Bhutanese-Nepali Life in Rochester, N.Y.
March 10, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Bhutanese-Nepali community members will share a selection of traditional dances and invite attendees to learn simple dance steps. Attendees will also have an opportunity to observe and learn about traditional knitting and dumpling making. At 3 p.m., Davis will present a general overview of her documentation in the Bausch Auditorium.
Creating Refuge: Karenni Life in Rochester, N.Y.
March 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Karenni community members will share their own traditional dances and similarly invite attendees to learn simple dance steps. Dancers will be accompanied by local Karenni musicians. Attendees will also have an opportunity to observe and learn about traditional foods, flute-making, and customary clothing.
WHEN:
Creating Refuge: Bhutanese-Nepali Life in Rochester, N.Y.; March 10, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Creating Refuge: Karenni Life in Rochester, N.Y.; March 17, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE:
Rochester Museum & Science Center; 657 East Avenue; Rochester, N.Y. 14607; RMSC.org
ADMISSION:
Both Creating Refuge events are free with regular museum admission: $15 adults, $14 seniors and college students with ID, $13 ages 3 to 18, free for children under 3 and RMSC members. For group reservations and rates, call 585.697.1942.
ADDITIONAL MEDIA INFORMATION:
Photo/video opportunity: contact Mare Millow, Marketing Communications Manager, RMSC, 585.697.1944, mmillow@rmsc.org OR Hannah Davis, Upstate Regional Representative, New York Folklore Society, hdavis@nyfolklore.org, (270) 777-5960.
The Creating Refuge events are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Their organization has been aided by the generous, collaborative spirit of the following organizations and individuals: community consultants Lachuman Pokhrel, Hemlal Suberi, and Lin Lin; Karenni Rochester Youth; Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services; the RIT Industrial Design program; the RIT Museum Studies program; the RIT School of Individualized Studies; and Foodlink.
The New York Folklore Society (NYFS) celebrates the extraordinary in everyday life, bringing focus to traditions of our state’s diverse peoples. A statewide service organization for the field of folk and traditional arts, NYFS partners with local organizations to offer folklife programming, document tradition-bearers, provide a range of mentorship and consultancy services, and host conferences and symposia. Read more about NYFS at nyfolklore.org.
Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Cumming Nature Center. Offering experiences at the Museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits, Planetarium with a 65-foot dome and Nature Center on 900 acres, the RMSC stimulates community interest in exploration. In addition, the more than 1.2 million RMSC collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past and present, including its rich history of innovation and invention. RMSC receives major funding from Monroe County, where it is one of the top three most visited attractions serving children and families. For more information about RMSC, visit RMSC.org. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
