Free Series to Focus on India and Feature Discussion, Food and Dance
Franklin—Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County continues its second year of the highly successful series Passport to the World by traveling to India in April, at the Williamson County Library. The discussion will be held Sunday, April 1, at 2 p.m. and feature Fox 17 morning news anchor Nick Paranjape. Nick has invited a representative from Bombay Bistro Indian Restaurant to speak on Indian foods and serve some treats. Nick, who is from India, will also bring his family for discussion of their experiences there. In addition, an Indian dance teacher will perform, sing, and answer questions.
Passport to the World provides an authentic and personal look into the splendor of our continents around the globe. This series will walk you through the doorways of the world into our seven continents to experience the art, music, food, lifestyle, landscape, and heritage of our international neighbors without leaving the Williamson County Library.
Activities for children and adults are often offered during the presentation. Passport to the World is presented by Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County and co-sponsored by the Williamson County Public Library and the Townsend Institute for Global Competency at O'More College of Design. This is a free series. If you are interested in learning more about the Passport Program please contact Sharon Bottorff at 615-790-5815 ext. 3. For more information on Sister Cities please visit www.sistercitiestn.org.
about Sister Cities
As a non-profit organization, Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County works to build global relationships, to share cultural and educational experiences, and to inspire economic growth within our community. In January 2005, the City of Franklin and Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada formally recognized each other as Sister Cities. Franklin/Williamson County established a Sister City relationship with County Laois, Ireland in March 2008.
about O’More College of Design
O’More College of Design is an institution of higher education that intellectually and expressively prepares students to become innovative artists and designers with the capacity to create authentic beauty—designers equipped with the skills, knowledge, ability, creativity, and desire to constructively benefit the local and global society and environment through purposeful design.
Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County begins its second year of the highly successful Passport to the World series by traveling to France, with Amelie de Gaulle, from the French Consular Agency in Nashville as our guide Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Williamson County Public Library main branch.
The discussion will begin with a short history of Paris, a lesson on French wines and a taste of French cheeses with an expert from the Whole Foods cheese counter.
The Passport to the World series walks you through the doorways of the world into the seven continents to experience the art, music, food, lifestyle, landscape, and heritage of our international neighbors without leaving the Williamson County Library.
Passport to the World is presented by Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County and co-sponsored by the Williamson County Public Library and the Townsend Institute for Global Competency at O'More College of Design.
Courtesy www.franklintn.gov
Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County begin their 2nd year of the highly successful series Passport to the World Series by traveling to France, at the Williamson County Library.
The discussion will be held Sunday, February 5, at 2 p.m. and feature Amelie de Gaulle, from the France Agency Consulate in Nashville. The discussion will begin with a short history of Paris, a lesson on French wines and a taste of French cheeses with an expert from the Whole Foods cheese counter.
Passport to the World provides an authentic and personal look into the splendor of our continents around the globe. This series will walk you through the doorways of the world into our seven continents to experience the art, music, food, lifestyle, landscape, and heritage of our international neighbors without leaving the Williamson County Library.
Activities for children and adults are often offered during the presentation. Passport to the World is presented by Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County and co-sponsored by the Williamson County Public Library and the Townsend Institute for Global Competency at O'More College of Design. This is a free series. If you are interested in learning more about the Passport Program please contact Sharon Bottorff at 615-790-5815 ext. 3. For more information on Sister Cities please visit www.sistercitiestn.org.
About Sister Cities
As a non-profit organization, Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County works to build global relationships, to share cultural and educational experiences, and to inspire economic growth within our community. In January 2005, the City of Franklin and Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada formally recognized each other as Sister Cities. Franklin/Williamson County established a Sister City relationship with County Laois, Ireland in March 2008.
About O’More College of Design
O’More College of Design is an institution of higher education that intellectually and expressively prepares students to become innovative artists and designers with the capacity to create authentic beauty—designers equipped with the skills, knowledge, ability, creativity, and desire to constructively benefit the local and global society and environment through purposeful design.
Four High School Students Will Be Chosen to Spend a Week in Canada
Applications are currently being accepted for the Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County Youth Exchange Program with Carleton Place, Ontario Canada. The exchange is scheduled for May 25-June 4, 2012 and is open to current freshman, sophomores and juniors attending high school in Williamson County (public or private). Interested students may receive an application by contacting Sharon Bottorff at 615-512-9551 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or by going to the Sister Cities website-www.sistercities.tn.org
Four students will be chosen based on essay questions, community involvement, and personal interview. Students will be accompanied by chaperones throughout the trip. Students will stay with host families that have been approved by Carleton Place’s Sister City Board. Students will take part in school activities as well as tour Carleton Place and surrounding areas (including Ottawa). Students and their families will then host the students from Carleton Place in Franklin in August, 2012. Costs include a $600 fee (to help defray transportation expenses). Students will need a valid passport to travel to Canada. .
Applications are due March 15, 2012. They can be returned by mail to Sister Cities, P.O. Box 977, Franklin, TN 37065 or by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County is committed to building global relationships, to sharing cultural and educational experiences, and to inspiring economic growth within our community. The relationship with Carleton Place, Franklin’s first Sister City, was established in 2004. This will be the Seventh Youth Exchange between Carleton Place and Franklin.
For more information, please contact Sharon Bottorff at 615-512-9551 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The giant mascot for Franklin’s Annual Pumpkin Fest is on its way from Canada and will arrive this Friday at 2:00 p.m., making a pit-stop at Liberty Elementary School prior to being placed on Third Avenue by the children’s area for Pumpkinfest, Saturday. For the last several years Franklin’s Sister Cities Group has arranged for the giant pumpkin to come from a farm in our sister city, Carleton Place, Canada, and this year’s specimen promises to be a record breaker weighing from 800 to 1,500 pounds.
The massive pumpkin has traditionally been provided by Canadian grower Glenn Needham from his farm in Arnprior, Ontario, Canada. At Pumpkinfest, visitors can venture a guess at the pumpkin’s true weight and win a Franklin Family Fun Package, including 4 tickets to the Franklin Theatre, Dinner at Mellow Mushroom, ice cream from Baskin Robbins and popcorn from Popcorn Village. Sister Cities will also be selling fun Halloween drinks for the kids as a fund raiser for Sister Cities Youth Exchange.
The extremely large gourd is now on its 20 hour journey to Franklin where the first stop will be Liberty Elementary School Friday, October 28th at 2:00 p.m. to meet the children. The kindergarten classes will get to go outside and see the big pumpkin, up-close. City Administrator Eric Stuckey will be there to greet the students along with the delegation from Canada.
After the visit to Liberty Elementary School the Pumpkin will be on prominent display at Pumpkinfest, October 29th in downtown Franklin near the square on 3rd Avenue. Giant pumpkin enthusiasts can follow the pumpkin’s journey on twitter, follow @FranklinPumpkin, the City of Franklin Facebook and Twitter pages as well as the Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County Facebook and twitter pages.
Courtesy www.franklintn.gov
Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County is holding their fourth annual Celebration of Nations scheduled for September 17, 2011 on the campus of O’More College of Design at 423 South Margin in Franklin. The evening open air market will be held 4:00-9:00 p.m. and feature multi-cultural performances including music, singing and dancing. There will also be many international vendors.
Nick Paranjape from WZTV Fox 17 morning show will kick off the festivities on the main stage. New this year are two performance stages featuring more than a dozen different performers representing several countries. From Flamenco guitar and dance to Persian instrumental music there will be something for people of all ages at this international festival.
“This event has really grown over the last four years,” said Sister Cities President, Doug Sharp. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience other cultures through music, dance, food and friendship. The event is open to all ages and weather permitting is a really good time.”
The Sister Cities organization has two sister cities, Carleton Place in Canada and County Laois in Ireland. One of the highlighted performers, Brea Lawrenson is a young Canadian singer/songwriter and recording Artist from Franklin's Sister City, Carleton Place. She's recorded three albums and has travelled with her music around Canada, to Tennessee and even to the UK to Perform and Record. Also performing is the Van Diva Dance Chinese Dance Team from Nashville
The City of Franklin, Embassy Suites, The Factory at Franklin, Tennessee Foreign Language Institute, Cheryl Wilson, PLA Media and O’More College of Design are sponsoring this wonderful event. Sister Cities is currently exploring relationships in Germany, China, Japan and France.
Special thanks to Massood Taj, Director of Arts programming, Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission for scheduling the entertainment for this event.
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Performance schedule Celebration of Nations Event O'more college campus Sep 17, 4-9pm |
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Main Stage |
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4:00 |
Welcome and Introductory announcements by emcee |
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4:05 |
Native American Flute opening ceremony / musical prayer Massood taj |
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4:10 |
Leads to global beat with Love Drums |
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4:35 |
Lingo Wald Language procession |
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4:50 |
Bob Teack flamenco guitar |
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5:10 |
John Jones sings traditional German |
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5:20 |
Persian Instrumental music Majid Attar (Santtor) Hamid Tahiri (Tar) |
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5:40 |
Idajean Irish influenced electric Violin |
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6:00 |
Phil Keagy |
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6:45 |
Audry Bele sings French |
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7:05 |
Ron Smith and the Latin Jazz grooves |
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7:30 |
Brea Lawrenson |
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8:00 |
Sean & Francis Cunningham Irish music |
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8:25 |
Belly Dancers |
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8:45 |
Closing comments / Dedication of Collaborate Community Mandala Mark Hilliard - |
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8:55 |
Native American flute prayer offering to grandfather spirits.. Last echoes of the festival |
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Dance Stage (2) |
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4:30 |
Kristin Butke School of Irish Dance |
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4:50 |
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4:55 |
VanDiva Chinese Dance Team |
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5:15 |
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5:20 |
Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama |
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5:40 |
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5:45 |
Scott-Ellis School of Irish Dance-Wendy confirmed |
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6:05 |
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6:10 |
Ballet Folklorico Viva Panama |
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6:30 |
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Courtesy www.franklintn.gov
Sister Cities of Franklin and Williamson County is holding their fourth annual Celebration of Nations scheduled for September 17, 2011 on the campus of O’More College of Design at 423 South Margin in Franklin.
The evening open air market will be held 4-9 p.m. and feature multi-cultural performances including music, singing and dancing. There will also be many international vendors. There are still spots open for anyone interested in participating as a performer or vendor.
“This event has really grown over the last four years,” said Sister Cities President, Doug Sharp. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience other cultures through music, dance, food and friendship. The event is open to all ages and weather permitting is a really good time.”
The Sister Cities organization has two sister cities, Carleton Place in Canada and County Laois in Ireland.
So far, the City of Franklin, Embassy Suites, The Factory at Franklin, Tennessee Foreign Language Institute, Cheryl Wilson, PLA Media and O’More College of Design have become sponsors, but more sponsorships are still available. If any business or private party is interested in sponsoring the Celebration of Nations or participating in the event call Sharon Bottorff at 615 512-9551.
Sister Cities is currently exploring relationships in Germany, China, Japan and France.
