The first performance at the inaugural Cultural Celebration Day in Lansing was a puppet presentation by Jes Onayo. The library assistant at Thornton Fractional South High School and associate at the Lansing Public Library was nervous during her Puppets Around the World performance to children and adults. “I’m still nervous,” the 24-year-old Lansing resident said more than 10 minutes after her show.
“I’ve done public speaking before. As a kid, I was raised to do stuff like that. “But performing and singing and being emotional? That’s crazy.
That’s very hard.” But she got through it in fine form as her 30-minute show featured puppets from France, China, England and Kermit the Frog representing the United States. Education, entertainment and music from various countries and cultures was the theme of Saturday’s event, held at the Fox Pointe venue and grounds.
Entertainment and music from Indonesia, Ireland, Brazil, Jamaica, Germany, India and other countries were represented. A kids zone sponsored by the library featured projects and games from North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceana. Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown Friends of the Gamelan, a musical group that plays Indonesian music, performs at Lansing’s Cultural Celebration Day Aug.
17, 2024, at the Fox Pointe facility. (Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown) On and off rain showers kept workers, vendors and the estimated 800 patrons on their toes for most of the 8 1/2 hour event. Ona.