Just a few days after welcoming back its students and staff, College of Coastal Georgia hopes to welcome an audience from the community with some unique experiences.
In its annual diversity kickoff event, the college’s office of diversity and inclusion of student affairs has lined up some interesting performances with an international flair. They start at 7 p.m. today in the Coffin Gym on the Brunswick campus and are open to the public. Starting the event is Jonny Zavant, the world-traveling Mentalist, who’ll be reading the minds of members in the audience, followed by an energetic performance from the internationally known group the LeeAnet Team Vicious step dancers.
Floyd Phoenix, diversity office coordinator, along with the Minority Academic Social Development Association and the Torchbearers, are hoping to liven up a weeknight in the Golden Isles and introduce something new for both students and local residents.
“Each year we do it to bring new experiences to the students enrolled here. Going to college is a time that you have an opportunity to see something different and unique, and as you have those experiences, it helps you to be a little bit more culturally competent,” Phoenix said. “This is a global society and the more experiences they have with different cultures, the better they are as students. It helps them have a different view of the world.”
Phoenix says the college is thrilled to have such exhilarating and renowned performances to start off a year full of multicultural events. Zavant’s performance in Brunswick, he says, is similar to a show one could pay to see in Las Vegas. The mind-reading and comedy show will include Mr. Nibbles III, a psychic cockroach, and a glimpse at Zavant’s demonstration of memory techniques and mental gymnastics. He’s known for his applied psychology and showmanship that intrigues his audiences.
“And the step show (Team Vicious, choreographer and led by LeeAnet Noble) is an international group who performed during the (spring 2014) Paris Fashion Week. We’re very excited to be able to have this,” Phoenix said. “All of the entertainers themselves are very excited about coming to Brunswick and the Golden Isles, as this is the first time they’ve participated here at CCGA. It will be a unique experience for them as well, and hopefully they will gain from us as much as we gain from them.”
As the college continues to attract more students from the state, nation and around the world, Phoenix hopes the variety of multicultural events will continue to grow with the campus.
The Brunswick News
SARAH LUNDGREN