Tickets are on sale for the 33rd annual International Dinner and Performance Night. The event, hosted by the University YMCA and the International Student and Scholar Services, will take place 6-8 p.m. March 13 at Latzer Hall of the University YMCA. The event will feature an evening of food and live music in celebration of the diverse cultures that make up Champaign-Urbana.
Jean-René Balekita and his band, Bomoyi, will perform as the main act for the evening. The professional musical ensemble features Congolese rumba with flavors of gospel, jazz and African rhythms. Bomoyi means “life” in the native language of Lingala. In addition to Lingala, the group sings in English, French, Kikongo, Swahili and Tshiluba. Well known in the Congo, Balekita and Bomoyi have recently gained enthusiastic audiences in the United States.
The event will feature food from more than 20 countries and additional performances from members of the campus and community. A finalized menu and performance program will be announced. For information and updates on the menu and performance schedule, visit the website.
Individuals and groups can volunteer to cook either a main dish or a dessert from their country of origin. All cooks are asked to prepare enough for 200 very small portions, such as a spoonful or a bite, and the YMCA will reimburse contributors for ingredients up to $50 per main dish and $25 per dessert. If interested in volunteering to cook, sign up online or contact intldinner@universityymca.org for more information. The deadline for cooks to sign up is Feb. 19.
Tickets are on sale for $15 at the front desk of the University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright St., Champaign. Checks should be made payable to the YMCA. Seating is limited and tickets sell out fast. YMCA hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays. Call 217-337-1500 with questions.
