It's Time To Celebrate Difference: A Three Day Festival You Don't Want To Miss! (Find Your Itinerary Here)

Have you ever played cricket? Flamenco, Salsa or Merengue sound like fun to you? Want to learn about the National Museum of Immigration? Ever hear of a Tribe Called Red? You are in for a treat Sault Ste. Marie. Here's your chance to expand your horizons during one weekend. All you have to do is come and join the fun. The time to Celebrate Difference is now. How fun does that sound?

 Come learn, share, laugh and love. Mark your calendars for May 2 - 4 and plan to attend Passport to Unity (PTU). This annual multicultural event presented by the Sault Ste. Marie Career Centre packs a lot of punch into a 3 day festival.

Citizens from across the world living in our community come together and pay tribute to their ethnicity and values through art, culture, sport, history and tradition. Come join the fun as we celebrate different. This action-packed festival hosts several unique events throughout the weekend. Here are the details.

1. Downtown Diversity
Friday, May 2, 11:30 am - 1:30 p.m.
Queen Street, Spring Street – March Street
Free

Come downtown to experience Queen Street in a whole new light as Square 3, (March Street to Spring Street) transforms into a pop up cultural centre. See your favourite shops and restaurant with a twist as they celebrate different with unique dress, entertainment and food.

2. Canadian Citizenship Ceremony
Friday, May 2, 2:00 p.m.
Delta Sault Ste. Marie and Conference Centre
Free

PTU opens the doors on the Canadian Citizenship Ceremony. Come experience a swearing in ceremony and celebrate the special moment when recipients join this great country.

3. Opening Night Celebration
Friday, May 2, 7:00 p.m.
Algoma Water Tower Inn & Suites

Adults $20, Students $10 – All ticket sales go to the Liberian Learning Centre and Sault College and Algoma University scholarships
Multicultural flare meets community spirit as Great Lakes Honda presents the inaugural Community Driven Awards. Enjoy an evening of entertainment, awards and an inspiring presentation as we celebrate outstanding contributions to our community. As a special treat learn what is possible through the efforts of one man as Leo Johnson shares his story. Round out the evening with a heart pounding performance by the Maria Osende Flamenco group, all the way from Halifax.

4. Indoor Cricket Tournament
Saturday, May 3, 10:00 a.m.
Northern Community Centre
Free

Come cheer on teams as the Sault Ste. Marie Cricket Club hosts Northern Ontario's 1st Annual Indoor Cricket Tournament. Watch as teams from neighbouring communities play one of the most widely played and fastest growing sports in Canada.

5. Workshops
A: Basics of Flamenco Workshop
Saturday, May 3, 1:00 p.m.
Sault College Studio – Room A1080
Free – Pre-registration required (call 705.759.0909 Ext: 4251)

Never danced the Flamenco, but always wanted to try? Now is your chance to learn from one of the best. Spanish-born Maria Osende joins us from Halifax, Nova Scotia to introduce this special dance. This workshop is geared towards beginners and no experience in any type of dance is required. No special shoes or clothing are required. Simply come try something new and celebrate different.

B: Latin Dance Workshop
Saturday, May 3, 2:30 p.m.
Sault College Studio – Room A1080

Free - (email latinassociation2009@gmail.com to register)
Whether you are new to Salsa or dancing altogether come and enjoy a wonderful workshop where you will learn some simple Salsa and Merengue dance steps. Come as a couple or singles. Please were non marking shoes and dress to impress!

Presentations

6. The Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
Saturday, May 3, 2:00 p.m.
Sault College's Multimedia Room
Free – no registration required

Voted as one of the 7 Wonders of Canada, Pier 21 is a National Museum that celebrates the role immigration has played in forming Canada. Ethnic communities such as Finnish, Italian, Croatian and many others in Northern Ontario can trace their roots to this landing spot in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Join Carrie-Ann Smith, the Audience Engagement Chief for the museum as she takes you on a journey through the history of Pier 21 and the transformation to a Canadian Museum.

A Tribe Called Red Meet and Greet
Saturday, May 3, 2:00 p.m.
Sault College Native Student Centre – G1200

Here's your chance to get up close and personal with A Tribe Called Red before they rock the stage later in the evening. Hear what it means to be ambassadors for First Nations people. Understand what motivated them to start this journey. Learn their amazing story and see how they are taking their message of First Nations culture and traditions around the world. P.S. You'll even have the chance to snap a pic and get autographs.

Tribe Called Red Concert
Saturday, May 3, 8:00 p.m.
Sault College Health & Wellness Centre
$20

In partnership with the Sault College Native Student Council, PTU proudly presents the group that is exploding around the world, the Juno-award-winning Tribe Called Red. Take cutting-edge electronic music and blend it with traditional Pow Wow vocals and drumming and you've got their infectious sound. Don't miss this performance.

7. Sunday @ the Essar
Sunday, May 4, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Essar Centre
$2 entry

PTU's flagship event, A Taste of Unity, is a jam-packed day of entertainment, food, art, crafts, games and fun for everyone. Come celebrate and show us your culture. This event not only showcases the diverse cultures that make up our great city and region but also shines the light on the amazing talent and people that call Northern Ontario home.

Saultcareercentre.ca/ptu

For more information download the free festival app Google:

Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.crowdtorch.passport2unity

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/passport-to-unity/id835953970?mt=8

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