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Dover fair celebrates town's wealth of cultural diversity
Thursday, August 17, 2006
BY MAUREEN SALAMON
For the Star-Ledger
The atmosphere of a neighborhood block party merged with talent as far-ranging as belly dancing and rap to poetry and country music and resulted in the third annual "Doversity Day," an event designed to promote cultural understanding through the arts and community activism.
The festival, held last Saturday at JFK Commons Park in Dover, was the brainchild of organizer Halashon Sianipar, a member of the town's Recreation Commission who hoped to expand the commis sion's activities to the arts.
The daylong event typically draws several hundred people, including dozens of children who enjoy wheelbarrow races and water balloon tosses, among other contests.
New to Doversity Day this year were the works of four visual artists, who displayed pieces ranging from Puerto Rican folk art to abstracts to portraits.
About 15 community organizations also dispersed information on their services, including Hope House, the Community Children's Museum, the Dover Free Clinic, the Morris County Gay Activist Alliance and the Christian Science Reading Room.
"Doversity Day is a whole bunch of things all in one," said Sianipar, 26, who planned to rap at the festival. "You can say things through art that you can't say to people's faces. The event can help break down stereotypes and help people get over the generation gap."
Over the years, Dover's demographics have changed from a predominantly Caucasian blue-collar community to become Morris County's leading Hispanic center. The Hispanic population almost tripled between 1980 and 2000, when the U.S. Census counted 10,539 Hispanic residents, 58 percent of those living in town.
Those from South America accounted for a third of the Hispanics, mainly from countries like Colombia, Ecuador and Chile. Those hailing from Central America were the next biggest grouping, particularly from countries like Costa Rica and Honduras.
In addition to Hispanics, there also is a sizable African-American, Filipino, Indian and Vietnamese population in town.
Doversity Day was sponsored by the Recreation Commission in conjunction with the Cultural Unity Committee, and showcased a variety of talents, including the martial arts, DJs and bands, rock, Latin, folk, electronica, hip hop and jazz music. Admission was free to the public.
Sianipar, a lifelong resident, said Dover's reputation as a diverse town "where you never have a problem meeting people from different backgrounds" was shown off at the festival. So were the efforts of many people who "work hard for the town that don't get recognized," he said.
"People just like to be recognized and appreciated," he said. "The non-profit groups, too. It's good to see young people who care about their community and society."
Daniela Galvez, who organized the community service groups for the event, said it was easy to find willing participants from throughout Morris County.
"Diversity is also amongst the services," Galvez said, "not just the cultures."
© 2006 The Star Ledger
© 2006 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.
Get Your Own! | View Slideshow
SHOWCASE
includes Rock, Pop, Latin, Folk, Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Country, Jazz, Poetry, Dance, Visual Artwork and the Martial Arts
LIVE PERFORMANCES
by Willy Carmona, Walkin Contradiction , Days Gone , Jenni Spiro , Champagne Girls , Realeyez Mystic , Malus the Poet , Luis Martinez, The Shining , Johnny Smoove , Mike Conoran, Munah Hayes, Soda Bread, Dee Dejulio, and Connections Entertainment.
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DJs
such as DJ Nappz , DJ Dynamite , Elvis Suarez , Mauricio Artigas , DJ Beast
VISUAL DISPLAYS
by Nijha's Place , Christina Perez, Simon Vrohen , Luis Martinez and the Community Children's Museum
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
such as Salvation Army , Hope House , Community Children's Museum, Housing Partnership for Morris County , Dover Community Clinic, Morris County Gay Activist Alliance , Christian Science Reading Room, Hispanic Affairs, Calvary Chapel of the Hills, Depression and Bi-Polar Association , the County College of Morris , and the Town of Dover .

Doversity Day 2007 Schedule

Hosted by Eileen
www.myspace.com/deedster84
1100-1105
The Star Spangled Banner
1100-200
NBS Entertainment Presents ...
Music, Fashion and Positivity.
www.myspace.com/hoodywear
www.myspace.com/royalty4lifefam
150-200
Scorpeo (R&B/Hip Hop/Soul)
The King of Hip Hop Soul.
www.myspace.com/scorpioshiphop
200-230
Dance Contest
I pick on people until they decide to dance better than me!
230-235
halashon aka the i.n. (the eye in)
Speaks on this year’s theme, “Be the change.”
www.myspace.com/thatindo
235-255
Calvary Chapel Spanish Worship Team
God is good! Here is the proof.
www.cchills.org
255-325
Jenni Spiro band (Chick Rock)
Beautiful voice, beautiful girl, beautiful music.
www.myspace.com/jennispiro
325-345
Luis Martinez (Latin Folk Music/Taino Art)
So talented and so knowledgeable! I can’t begin to list it.
I’ll tell you what, he makes me wonder if I’m at least part Puerto Rican.
345-400
Connections Entertainment (Dance Troop)
They do it all and so well! Hip hop, jazz, ballet, you name it.
You notice I put the dance contest significantly earlier so they can't embarrass me.
[email protected]
400-430
Hyphen-One and Daylow (Hip Hop/Funk/Reggae band)
Recognize Jersey bred dopeness! Blessed to finally book them!
www.myspace.com/hyphenone
www.myspace.com/daylow
430-445
Walkin Contradiction
(World Renowned Professional Poet)
Fresh off tour! But found time to show love to the community.
Making good music sexy again.
www.beyondmusiq.com
445-500
Jeff (Tap Dance)
Only tap dancer I’ve ever met that could set a party off.
500-515
Calvary Chapel Worship Team
God is worthy to be praised! Thank you Lord for another year!
www.cchills.org
515-530
Mario Salsa (Congas/Latin Dance Ensemble)
Nobody loves Dover like this man. Nobody plays congas like this man.
www.myspace.com/mariosalsa
530-600
Willy Carmona (Latin Jazz Experimental)
This man is Dover. The sickest trumpet player to come out of this town.
A musician, an artist, a teacher, an inspiration.

Directions:

Dover, NJ is located in Northern New Jersey in the center of Morris County. JFK Commons Park is situated in between routes 46 and 15, across the street from the Dover Public Library.
From NY and points East - Travel I-80W towards Dover. Take exit 35 (Mount Hope Ave/Dover). Follow Mt Hope Ave to the intersection of Route 46. The park is located at the intersection of Mt Hope Ave and Rt 46.
From PA and points West - Travel 1-80E towards Dover. Take exit 34 (Route 15S). The park is located at the bottom of Rt 15 in downtown Dover.

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