The festival will also feature a celebration of civil rights icon Dolores Huerta.
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Oxnard and Ventura colleges in partnership with the Ventura Educational Partnership, Ventura County Community Foundation, Ventura College Foundation, and other sponsors are proud to announce the 8th annual Diversity in Culture Festival, which will take place April 10-13. The festival is dedicated to promoting diversity, health, and wellness in the community and honoring civil rights advances.
The festival planning committee found inspiration for this year's theme after realizing their own wellness had been neglected in the post-pandemic world. The festival activities will focus on encouraging the community to refocus and reclaim their health through diverse cultural lenses.
A variety of workshops will promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These wellness workshops include "The Gift of Self Love and Affirmations" led by Sade Champagne, "Tai Chi for Body/Mind Health" taught by Maki Fujisaki Guelcher, "Fieldnotes on Nature/Nurture: Mindfulness, Self-Care, and Resilience" with Dr. Ali, and "Native Music and Healing" with Martin Espino. These free workshops are a unique opportunity for all in our community to cultivate hopefulness, improve body and mind health, and recharge and rejuvenate.
In addition to wellness workshops, there will be a variety of events promoting diversity including motivational keynotes, interactive workshops, cultural performances, food vendors, and wellness services, along with a Poetry Slam at the Oxnard College Conference Center on Wednesday, April 12 at 6 p.m., which will feature performances from both students and faculty.
One of the festival’s highlights will be an in-person celebration of Dolores Huerta, a civil rights icon and labor leader who co-founded the United Farm Workers (UFW) with Cesar Chavez. Huerta continues to dedicate her life to fighting for the rights of marginalized communities and advocating for social justice. The Ventura County Community College District will present Ms. Huerta with a resolution honoring her for her work and dedication.
Another feature is local textile artist and natural dyer, Porfirio Gutierrez, who was born and raised in the historic Zapotec community of Teotitlán del Valle, Oaxaca. He will present a live demonstration of Zapotec natural dye techniques that he has dedicated his life to preserving. These techniques involve using natural materials such as plants, minerals, and insects to create dyes in a range of colors and have been used for centuries by the Zapotec people of Oaxaca.
The festival is free and open to the public. All are welcome. The events will be available online and in-person and will start Monday, April 10 and will end on Thursday, April 13. Festival information and schedule of events are listed on the Diversity in Culture Festival webpage.