A Snapshot of the Taste of Culture

MESA/Trotter’s 18th annual Taste of Culture was a great way to start the semester! Held at the Trotter Multicultural Center, the event showcased a variety of cultural restaurants from South-East Michigan. Approximately 900 members of the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor communities enjoyed free food from local restaurants such as Jamaican Jerk Pit, Los Amigos, and Eastern Flame – just to name a few.

In addition to great food, everyone was treated to several performances by student organizations from the University of Michigan, which ranged from Irish Dance to Brazilian Capoeira. The Taste of Culture also featured DJ Diztracted who kept the party going with a great mix of today’s hottest music! In between performances, guests had the opportunity to win prizes such as gift cards to many of the featured restaurants and also free caricature drawings by local artist Walt Griggs.

We all know that the beginning of the semester can be a bit overwhelming, so on that beautiful day students were also treated to free massages by professional masseuses from My Day Spa. Additionally, everyone had an opportunity to meet and thank the many people who sponsored this event and helped make it one of the highlights of the semester.

Events like Taste of Culture provide an opportunity for students to branch out of their comfort zones, meet new people, try new foods, and overall – have fun in a diverse setting! The Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) and Trotter Multicultural Center (TMC) aim to promote student development and empower the campus community around issues of diversity and social justice through the lens of race and ethnicity. We strive to provide a new experience to students through a variety of mediums, including food and music.

Special thanks to all of our showcased restaurants:

Haifa Falafel (Mediterranean)
Earthen Jar (Vegan)
Korey's Krispy Krunchy Chicken (American/Soul)
Samosa House (Somali)
Eastern Flame (Indian)
Jamaican Jerk Pit (Carribean)

Gourmet Garden (Chinese)
Los Amigos (Mexican)
Pilar's Cafe (Salvadorian)
Sadako (Japanese)

University of Michigan Catering

Special thanks to all of our performers:

Kopitonez
Leim Irish Dance
Students Empowering Students
Revolution
Jackson Ann arbor Tabcat Capoeira
Maize Mirchi
RhythM Tap Ensemble
Arabian Dance Ensemble
Michigan Sahana
Walter Lacy

Thank you to our volunteers from:

Alpha Phi Omega

Asian American Association

Black Volunteer Network

CAPS

Circle K

H.E.A.D.S.

Lambda Phi Epsilon

NAACP

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

The Career Center

The Ginsberg Center

The Spectrum Center

UAAO

UM Housing

University Health Services

University Unions

Vietnamese Student Association

Zeta Sigma Chi

Finally, Thank you to our sponsors:

My Day Spa
U of M Credit Union
Fat Philly’s & Burgers
Costco
Caricatures by Walt Griggs

Thank you to everyone who attended, making the Taste of Culture a Michigan tradition. Be sure to join us next year!

Submitted by MESA Student Staff member, Jeremy Jones, Sophomore.