Events & Opportunities

This page is updated frequently. Check back often for new event listings. Last updated May 5, 2008.

May is Asian/Pacific Heritage Month

May is National Older Peoples Month

May Day

Thursday, May 1

This ancient holiday originating in pagan England celebrates the end of winter and the first spring planting. Learn more about the history and traditions of May Day and its political significance for peasant uprisings and for the modern labor movement.

National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 1

Learn more

International Film Festival

May 2-8

Galaxy 14 Cine

Film from China, Israel, Russia, Hungary, Spain, Sweden, and much more. For film details, go to www.rifgweb.org.

World Press Freedom Day

Saturday, May 3

Freedom of the press is one of the strongest guarantees of our other freedoms. In times of war and oppression, it is often the first freedom to be taken away. Learn more about how you can participate in World Press Freedom Day and browse an excellent collection of relevant essays, photos, cartoons, and more.

Holocaust Memorial Observance

Sunday, May 4, 1 p.m.

Soldiers Field, at the monument

B'Nai Israel synagogue invites you to join them in observing Holocaust Memorial Day with a brief ceremony including candle lighting and reading the names of those who perished.

Cinco de Mayo

Sunday, May 5

Not Mexico's Independence Day, as is commonly thought, this festival celebrates the unlikely victory of the Mexican army over the French at the battle of Puebla. The French loss forced them to withdraw support for the Confederate Army (then embroiled in the American Civil War), contributing to the victory of the Union troops. Learn more

The Lost Boys of Sudan: God Grew Tired of Us

Friday, May 9, 12 - 1 p.m.

Judd Hall, Mayo Building, Subway level

Mayo Clinic Spirituality Grand Rounds and the Mayo Clinic Center for Humanities in Medicine present Jon Bul Dau. At 12 years old, Dau was separated from his family when their village was attacked, and he joined the Lost Boys in their long trek to the safety of refugee camps. One of several boys featured in the documentary titled "God Grew Tired of Us," Dau will share from his experiences. Free and open to the public.

Mother's Day

Sunday, May 11

Pentecost

Sunday, May 11

This Christian holiday celebrates the giving of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the Christian church. Called Pentecost because the commemorated event occurred during the Jewish festival of that name, the two celebrations were separated in the fourth century when the church, influenced by anti-Semitism and a desire to fix church holidays on Sundays, established its own system to determine the dates of Easter and Pentecost.

Experiment in Rural Cooperation Public Meeting

Monday, May 12, 6 - 9 p.m.

Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Interested in helping shape the outcome of sustainable development projects? Come give your two cents about the viability of project ideas and to see how University of Minnesota dollars are being spent on your behalf. Dinner included. No charge. RSVP by May 1 to Erin Meier at 507-536-6313 or tegtm003@umn.edu.

Bear Creek Services Open House

Tuesday, May 13, 4 - 7 p.m.

3108 Hwy 52 N (East Frontage Road)

Bear Creek Services invites you to celebrate the opening of their new facility. Meet with residents, staff, volunteers & board members. Ribbon cutting at 4:30.

How are Minnesota's Girls Faring?

Tuesday, May 13, 10 - 11 a.m.

United Way of Olmsted County, Conference Room

(903 W Center St)

The Women's Foundation of Minnesota invites you to join them as they share key findings from their new research report, "Status of Girls in Minnesota," and how the Women's Foundation and its partners are moving equality forward. For more information, or to RSVP, contact Heidi Walsh: 612-337-5010 or 888-337-5010 (toll free) or heidi@wfmn.org.

International Speakers Luncheon

Wednesday, May 14, 11:30 a.m.

Rochester Family Y, Balfour Hall

Tano Teko will speak about Kenya. For reservations, call Betsy at 289-3359. Cost $8. Catering by Fred Regal.

Tropical Zone Orchestra

Friday, May 16, 8 p.m. - midnight

Blue Moon Ballroom (2030 Hwy 14 E)

The Twin Cities' hottest salsa band is coming to Rochester! Caribbean & Latin music, salsa lessons, refreshments available. Tickets in advance: $15 for adults, $10 for youth. At the door: $20 for adults, $15 for youth.

Armed Forces Day

Saturday, May 17

Honor our troops.

Sittende Mai

Saturday, May 17

Norwegian Independence Day.

Pediatric Bipolar Disorder

Monday, May 19, 7 - 9 p.m.

Christ United Methodist Church (400 5th Ave SW)

NAMI invites you to this free presentation on bipolar disorder in children with Mayo Clinic child psychiatrist Dr. Solay Unal. Two nursing CEU's available. For more information, call NAMI at 287-1692.

Wesak

Tuesday, May 20

Wesak is the celebration of Buddha's birth and enlightenment, and in some traditions, also his death (combining Buddha Day, Bodhi Day, and Nirvana Day). Visit the BBC website for more information, photos, and video on Wesak.

African Liberation Day

Friday, May 23

African Liberation Day was instituted in 1958 to unite African countries in the struggle to end colonialism and win independence. Today the celebration is used to raise political awareness and organization in African communities worldwide. Read about the history of African Liberation Day.

Memorial Day

Wednesday, May 28

June is Pride Month

National Day (Sweden)

Friday, June 6

Celebrate Minnesota's Swedish heritage!

Shavuot

June 9-10

Shavuot is the Hebrew name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks. In Greek it is called Pentecost, because it takes place 50 days after Passover. This Jewish festival commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and celebrates the harvest season in Israel. You can learn more about Shavuot and read holiday stories at http://www.holidays.net/shavuot/

Juneteenth Shades of Diversity VIP Dinner & Fashion Show

Friday, June 13

International Market Square, Minneapolis

Over 1000 guests are expected to gather to hear this year's guest speaker, Dr. Cornel West. One of America's most provocative public intellectuals, Dr. West has been a champion for racial justice since childhood. He has taught at Princeton, Union Theological Seminary, Harvard, Yale, and the University of Paris. He was also an influential force in developing the Matrix trilogy storyline and played a role in the final two films.

Flag Day

Saturday, June 14

Show your colors!

Father's Day

Sunday, June 15

Juneteenth

Thursday, June 19

Juneteenth celebrates the freeing of the last African American slaves in the United States.

World Refugee Day

Friday, June 20

World Refugee Day was instituted by the U.N. several years ago in an effort to raise awareness of the millions of refugees who have been forced to flee their homes and to celebrate the contributions they have made in their new communities. Learn more

Midsummer's Day

Friday, June 20

The first day of summer, and the longest day of the year.

Rochesterfest

June 21-29

Live music, shows, contests, treasure hunt, and of course, cheese curds. Details

Somali Independence Day

Thursday, June 26

Somali became an independent nation, free of British and Italian colonial powers, in 1960. Today is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of our Somali neighbors in Rochester.

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Thursday, June 26

Torture is a hot topic in the news--learn more.

Stonewall Rebellion Day

Saturday, June 28

This day commemorates the 1969 riots that occurred between police and members of the GLBT community in Greenwich Village. Learn more

More Events...

For more information on cultural events throughout the year, see our 2008 Multicultural Calendar.

For information on statewide multicultural events, check out the Minnesota Cultural Diversity Center website at www.mcdc.org.

1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 204 , Rochester, MN 55901 · Tel: 507.282.9951 · Fax: 507.282.9964 · info@diversitycouncil.org

Diversity...It's all about respect.