Lanterns For Japan

Last night was the culminating event for Multicultural Heritage Month at Eastern Illinois University.  The disaster awareness event, Lanterns For Japan, to benefit the March tsunami and earthquake victims, successfully raised money which will be sent to Japan through the Salvation Army.  The Lanterns For Japan project featured 799 white and red paper bags, each with a scoop of sand and a candle, arranged along the concrete steps in the EIU quad.  The resulting image of the Japanese flag softly flickering in the evening was quite beautiful.  We were honored to be requested as the event photographer.  Thank you to all those who participated in making Lanterns For Japan a successful endeavor.   

Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars at EIU

As the headlining act of the EIU Celebration 2011, The Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars really brought down the house.  With their unmistakable West African sound, their bright smiles and costumes, and their message of happiness, they transformed a traditional concert hall into a foot-stomping, arm-waiving, reggae festival.  The Doudna Fine Arts Center at Eastern Illinois University was only the 2nd stop on the US leg of their 'Positive Revolution Tour'.  By the end of the show, strangers were dancing with each other in the aisles (and some were dancing on the stage), everyone was smiling, and the energy was buoyant. 

Here are some of my favorite images from The Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars Concert...

EIU Celebration Weekend had a lot going on, so check back over the next few days for more photos from the festivities!

Thanks for visiting!