The headlines these past few weeks have been devoted to a host of topics but none has generated more energy than those that are addressing the latest battle over the plight of the immigrant in America.
In advance of their latest musical production of “Ragtime,” Civic Theatre is offering a week out of its February 24 opening a special panel discussion event looking at what makes a city inclusive.
Created in partnership with Grand Rapids Public Library, Creating a City of Inclusion: Modern Immigration, Local Impact welcomes panelists from organizations working within immigrant & refugee services of our region.
Panelists include:
- Pastor Ricardo Tavarez from the En Vivo Church
- Executive Director Susan Kragt of the Refugee Education Center
- Program Manager Kristine Van Noord at Bethany Christian Services’ Refugee Adult & Family Programs
- Kelsey Herbert from the Office of Social Justice at Christian Reformed Church of North America
- Grand Rapids Public Library’s Irina Nadeau
The panel will delve into the history of the immigrant path within the Greater Grand Rapids area and share insights on how and why our region needs to continue our tradition of welcoming and supporting these members of our society.
As an added bonus, those attending the event will be eligible to receive a discount code to be applied towards a ticket to Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s Ragtime.
This popular musical arrives back on stage at a time when the topics covered in this epic, historical show illustrates some of the very same struggles that we as a nation still continue to understand.
Ragtime is told through the eyes of three main groups - an African American Harlem musician, a white upper class suburbanite, and an Eastern European family of immigrants - and is set during the early 20th Century.
The panel event takes place at the Grand Rapids Public Library and is free. More information on this panel event and Ragtime can be found at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre's
website.