The Chadron State College International Club’s International Weekend begins tonight with a free public reading by award-winning Navajo poet Orlando White at 6:00 in the Sandoz Center.
      A faculty member at the Navajo Nation’s Dine’ College in Arizona, White is also coming as the 10th speaker in Chadron State’s Distinguished Writer series. He’ll give a reading of his poems, followed by a Q&A session.Â
Chadron State English Professor Dr Haesong Kwon, born in South Korea and himself a poet, says tonight’s audience is in for a treat. He knows that because he and White used to teach together at Dine’ College.
Dr Kwon says White’s poetry is powerful, but takes a focused listener to be fully appreciated.
Kwon started a Chadron State last fall and says getting moved in and comfortable with a new community took his attention away from writing, but that getting ready for White to come to Chadron got his creative juices flowing again a few weeks ago.
International Weekend continues Saturday night at 6:00 in the Student Center Ballroom with the annual International Club Food Tasting Party. Only 400 tickets will be sold and can be purchased at the Sandoz Center after tonight’s reading by Orlando White.
The Food Tasting Party also includes culture, fashion, and dancing with entertainment that includes Junior Miss Oglala Nation Suraya Kelly.
     Wrapping International Weekend will be a performance Sunday at 2:00 in Memorial Hall by the African Soul International dance troupe, which has gained international recognition through appearances in both Black Panther movies and in the Michelle Williams music video Say Yes with Beyonce.
The performance is free, but free-will donations will support the Chadron State International Club activities.