Jet-setting around the globe has never been as easy, or as local, as with the return of the Celebrate event series at Canyon Country Community Center. Kicking off April 12, this cultural immersion doesn't even require leaving Santa Clarita. Forget passport renewals and luggage fees; this series is a monthly ticket to experience the exotic flavors, sounds, and traditions from a different country right at 18410 Sierra Highway.
According to a recent announcement, the third edition of Celebrate promises to bring the vibrant energy of Brazil to its opening night with Samba dance lessons and a spread of Brazilian street food. But the series plans to not only showcase cultures from Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo. It's also shaping up to be a culinary and educational odyssey, complete with music and art, ensuring community members can to truly get a sense of diverse global customs.
The ambitious schedule for 2024, as detailed on the city's official blog, runs through six countries in as many months. Festivities commence at 6 p.m. each second Friday, from the sizzling beats of Brazil to South Korea in May, followed by Sweden, Cuba, Japan, and a final stop in Germany come September.
A novel addition this year is the Celebrate Passport, described as "a fun method of not only tracking how many Celebrate events you attend but also places you in a raffle to win prizes," per details procured by the official city's blog. Participants grab their passport booklet at their first event, and with each subsequent visit, they receive a stamp – doubling as an extra chance to win in the raffle drawing slated after September's German extravaganza.
The series, orchestrated by the City of Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events division, isn't shy in aspiring to go bigger this year, with the stakes higher, thanks to the nifty passport that doubles as a raffle entry. For additional tidbits on Celebrate or the passport gimmick, art lovers and travel enthusiasts are directed to contact the city's arts division. And for those keeping score at home, Winners of the raffle can expect to be notified via email, a courtesy heads-up for the lucky globetrotters in spirit.
