By Kathianne Boniello
The festival – which features 10 different dances representing a variety of cultures and several long tables of home-cooked food – is a longtime tradition for sixth-graders at PS 159, Principal Marlene Zucker said.
“It's one of the memories they take with them,” she said. “It's an event they look forward to all year.”
About 100 parents and family members – including School District 26 Superintendent Claire McIntee and Deputy Superintendent Anita Saunders – filled the school's gymnasium to watch the students perform the Mexican Hat Dance, a Chinese Ribbon Dance, an Italian folk dance, a traditional Greek Dance as well as American dances like the Electric Slide and a square dance, among others.
The festival has been held at the school at 205-01 33rd Ave. for about 12 years, Zucker said.
Claudia Rocchio, a sixth-grade teacher who helped organize the festival, said seeing their parents in the audience helped the children perform.
“Most of them are so excited to have their parents come,” she said. “It's really nice.”
Some students said they were nervous about dancing in front of the crowd but enjoyed the festival nonetheless.
Alina Hunter, 11, of Cambria Heights, said: “I thought it was very fun and worthwhile. I would do it again if I could.”
Andrew Ricci, 11, of Bayside, said it was fun to research traditions from around the world.
“It was like exploring different countries without even leaving your school,” he said. “It was really fun.”
Jani Chen, 11, of Auburndale said while she was nervous about dancing, “you have to go and make yourself perfect.”
Although the yearly festival is a lot of work, sixth-grade teacher Suzanne Haehnel said it all turns out well.
“It starts out chaotic and then it gets more chaotic,” she said. “And then it comes together and it's wonderful.”
A month of intense practice, Haehnel said, helps the children learn to appreciate different cultures as well as the dances.
“It gets the kids more together than in any other way,” she said. “It really opens up an avenue of discussion and communication because it's not language, it's dance.”
McIntee, who said she tries to get to as many school events as possible, said events like PS 159's International Dance Festival “give parents a sense of what's happening in the school.”
“It focuses on the idea of school as community,” she said.
April Oksenhendler, a sixth-grade teacher, said the support of the staff at PS 159 helped make the festival a success.
“It takes a lot of choreography,” she said “and a lot of cooperation from other people.”
After thanking the students and staff who helped put the festival together, Zucker told the crowd of parents who attended the event to watch the students.
“Take a look at the smiles on their faces,” she said. “It's because of your support.”
