Green Key weekend may have a history of bringing people together at inebriated fiestas, but this Saturday will also feature an event with a better cause in mind. Saturday afternoon will mark the second annual Festival of Humanity, which aims to raise money for the construction of a Bangladesh orphanage.
Taking place from noon until 8 p.m. on the Green and Collis Porch, the Festival of Humanity will feature fun activities and musical performances to bring students and community members together in a service-oriented celebration.
Last year's event offered free activities such as face-painting, a sushi-making workshop, henna tattoos, calligraphy lessons and a forestry team demonstration.
Team Taka, which has been raising money over the year through fundraisers such as the green "Make it Happen" bracelets seen around campus, plans to eventually raise $300,000 to construct the Charfasson Orphanage for young children.
Stinson's will be catering a free barbecue and baked goods will also be provided. The day begins with the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble and the Dodecaphonics, and continues with various groups such as the Dartmouth Chinese Dancers and Casual Thursday, as well as individual musicians.
Coinciding with the performances will be a silent auction of student crafts and artwork, along with contributions from athletic teams and community members. Also among the auction items are autographed books by Newt Gingrich, a recent visitor to Hanover, along with articles of clothing and local business gift certificates.
The first Festival of Humanity, held over last year's Green Key Weekend, raised over $4,000 to benefit Dartmouth Habitat for Humanity.
According to Mats Lemberger '06, the festival's creator and head events coordinator, each year the Festival will benefit a different service project in which "there is a compelling need."
The idea for the festival originally grew out of Lemberger's involvement with Dartmouth's Habitat for Humanity and a friend's challenge to come up with a way of bringing service and performance together in a meaningful way.
Lemberger cited the event's long-term goal as establishing "a collaborative tradition involving as much of the Dartmouth community as possible" while building on previous success.
"As I look back on what I've done at Dartmouth this has been a really special experience for me," Lemberger said.
Lemberger, along with a planning committee of approximately 15 other students, said he encouraged all students, staff, alumni, community members and families to attend.
Sponsors of the event include the Bildner Endowment, Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity, the Tucker Foundation, Programming Board, Student Activities Office, Office of Alumni Relations, Office of the President, Office of the Dean of the College and the Council on Student Organizations, along with each class council.
