By Brayden Walter
The Sunshine Cultural Arts Center took Lewis and Clark Community College (LC) on a cultural journey on Tuesday, Feb. 13 during a performance by the East St. Louis Performance Ensemble. The group captivated the audience with a cast of dancers and percussionists in The Commons on the Godfrey campus. The event allowed both students and faculty alike to experience the exciting culture of Africa, even inciting a dance battle between select participants from the crowd.
The event was organized by Student Activities Coordinator Jared Hennings, who expressed that he “would love to have them back in the future.” In conjunction, the event was aided by various volunteers who served an array of free pastas and sides, as well as drinks to attendees of the concert.
Composed of percussionists, dancers, and vocalists, the group is led by Sylvester “Sunshine” Lee who started the Sunshine Cultural Arts Center in 2013. This elementary school-turned-cultural safe haven was created with the goal of encouraging the youth of yesterday, today, and tomorrow to express themselves through their art, engage in recreational activities, and more.
The Sunshine Cultural Arts Center is no stranger to LC’s Godfrey campus, as the band has performed for students and faculty numerous times before.
“They have always been electrifying and eye-opening to many of our students who have never experienced this type of performance before,” said Daniel Nosce, LC Recruiter.
The Sunshine Cultural Arts Center provides the youth of today with the tools necessary to achieve great success in life and promote positivity in their community, and we at L&C would be honored to have them back in the future.
For more information about the Sunshine Cultural Arts Center visit www.sunshineculturalartscenter.com or their Facebook page @sunshineculturalartscenter.
