Ethnic food, fun at Festival of Nations

Live performances will headline this year's Festival of Nations at International House. The festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 8.

"Callanish Tales" -- a Chaucerian pilgrimage through Scotland featuring traditional Gaelic waulking songs, songs by Robert Burns and an original poetic text by John Sienicki -- will be presented by the University music/theater group TBA. Folk tales from around the world will be performed by the Chicago Mask Ensemble, and performances of dances from the Middle East, Thailand and the United States will be presented throughout the day.

The festival will also feature ethnic foods for purchase. There will be an international buffet at Four Corners Cafe, a made-to-order pasta bar in the Tiffin Room, and a traditional American barbecue and a California juice bar in the I-House courtyard.

Students from around the world will represent their countries at more than 25 booths displaying arts and crafts, and Coulter Lounge will be transformed into a Japanese pavilion, including a karaoke stage. Other activities include a program of international films continuing throughout the day in the library. A raffle of prizes -- including a grand prize of a weekend for two at the Chicago Marriott Hotel -- will be held every hour. Raffle tickets will be $1 each.

Admission to the Festival of Nations will be $5 per person ($12 per family), which includes admission to all dance and musical performances and films. For more information, call 753-2274.