The aroma of food cooking and the sounds of music and convivial conversation wafted over the Clubhouse 2 lawn on Tuesday, Sept. 30, as the Village’s inaugural Unity Festival got underway.
The brainchild of the presidents of all three mutuals and the GRF board, the festival aimed to be a lively celebration of the Village community’s breadth of diversity, talents and traditions.
“We learned from a recent survey that our residents come from five continents, even Antarctica,” said Mickie Choi Hoe, president of United Mutual, who wore native Korean dress.
“We wanted to celebrate our diversity as well as fundraise for the residents through business sponsorships,” she added, indicating that the event will become an annual extravaganza.
A variety of ethnic cuisines were available from four food trucks outside the clubhouse. Nostimo served Greek-Mediterranean dishes, Kala offered Mexican specialties, The Coconut Truck had California-Asian fusion specialties, and the German Yum Truck served up German fare. Handel’s Ice Cream was also on hand with a variety of flavors in large serving cups.
Food “passports” at $20 each were sold out — to the tune of 500 — ahead of the event. Each ticket entitled the holder to one of three offerings at each truck.
General admission to the festival, which ran from 4 until 7:30 p.m., was free.
The ethnic diversity of the Village population was also represented inside Clubhouse 2 by a number of clubs with tables dispensing information and goodwill. These included the Korean American Association, the Taiwanese Club, the Chinese American Club, the African American Heritage Club, the Community Bridge Builders, the India Club, the Hispanic Heritage Club and the Philippine American Society of Orange County.
Allan Williams, historian of the African American Heritage Club, said his group wanted to be represented because the festival was “all about unity and inclusiveness.”
Also on hand was Lynnette Siler of the Daughters of the British Empire, an organization of women whose heritage is from Britain or a Commonwealth nation.
“We are participating to gain more recognition for our club, which raises money for retirement homes across the country and for senior charities,” Siler said.
She invited interested women to come to a meeting of the Royal Ascot Chapter on the third Tuesday of the month in Clubhouse 3 (Performing Arts Center) for “sandwiches and a cup of tea.”
Folk dancing to rhythms from around the world was promoted by the International Folk Dance Club at that group’s table.
“We do dances from 60 different countries, focusing on the Balkans and Europe,” said dancer Greg Solloway.
Some clubs, like the Taiwanese group, just wanted to have fun, as they encouraged residents to try ring toss and other carnival games with the prize of a moon cake. At the Korean table, sweet desserts were given out freely, as were coconut and sweet potato puddings at the Hawaiian Aloha group’s table.
Dancers from the Korean American and India clubs performed inside the clubhouse during the first hour of the festival. Belly dance, hula, tai chi, sword dance, Korean drum, Latin line dance and other presentations were scheduled as well.
The cover band Midnight Regret entertained the lawn-sitters with lively music from a special outside stage.
Inside Clubhouse 2, Terry Bromfield watched a dance group with lively interest.
“I enjoy the groups doing ethnic dances in their native costumes,” she said. “And the pride people take in their heritage through dance.”
Susmita Mukherjee, president of the India Club, has attended similar events in the Village.
“I always like to see all the cultures mingle,” she said. “It’s so important today.”
Outside the clubhouse, Esther Bower gazed over the lawn toward the music stage.
“I love the music and meeting other people,” she said. “And it’s a gorgeous day.”
“The food was very good, too,” added her companion, Cher Toyosaki.
“Whether you grew up in California, Korea, Michigan, Taiwan, New York, Japan, Texas, Mexico or elsewhere, we’ve all decided to live here (in the Village) now. Diversity means learning, appreciating, tolerating and finding consensus on issues, and Laguna Woods Village exemplifies that ideal,” Alison Bok, president of the Golden Rain Foundation board, said in a statement.
As Leroy Wood, chaplain of the African American Heritage Club, put it: “If ever we need unity, this is the time!”